Teaching Expertise

As students progress through their academic journey, it’s important for them to have a clear vision of their aspirations and dreams for the future. Setting goals and having a strong sense of purpose can help them stay motivated and succeed in both their academic and personal lives. Provide much-needed guidance to your students by sharing these 19 powerful examples to help them on their path toward success.

1. Meaningful Learning Goals

Have students write down two of their hopes or dreams and start working towards them with this worksheet activity. The simple framework can help them clarify their goals, stay motivated, and make meaningful progress toward realizing their aspirations. 

Learn more: Lessons by the Lake

2. Classroom Banner Activity

Engage your students and create a positive classroom environment with this fun activity. Have students create a banner and write down their hopes and dreams for the school year. Reading these aloud helps build a sense of community while helping learners identify their SMART goals.

Learn more: The Core Inspiration

3. Developing Hopes and Dreams for K-2

These simple recording sheets provide a way for Kindergarten to Grade 2 students to express their aspirations and dreams. They can be used as a tool for educators to better understand and support their students in achieving their goals.

Learn more: Teaching Without Frills

4. Illustrated I Have a Dream 

Create a colorful illustration inspired by a powerful quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. After analyzing the speech, have students select a quote and express its essence through imaginative elements and designs. Using digital tools is encouraged to enhance the artwork.

Learn more: PBS

5. Reading about Hope

In this adorable story, readers are taken on an inspirational journey that explores the positive traits and values that parents aspire for their children to possess. Its captivating illustrations and delightful rhyming text provide glimpses of heartwarming real-life scenarios that resonate with fellow students.

Learn more: MrsHillpartyof6

6. Goals, Hopes & Dreams Game

Try a fun game to inspire your students’ learning and engagement, encouraging them to share their goals, hopes, and dreams. With thought-provoking questions, they’ll be inspired to think deeply about their future aspirations while developing confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills in a fun and interactive way.

Learn more: Bamboozle

7. Circle of Dreams

Gather in a safe, open space and form a circle. Toss a ball and ask each person if they have a dream to share. Pass the ball to the next person, and continue until all students have had a turn. This activity allows students to support each other’s dreams and aspirations in a fun and interactive way.

Learn more: Tulsa Camp Fire

8. Talk-Provoking Game for High Schoolers

Engage in this thought-provoking game that matches questions with quotes from historical figures. This activity helps students gain new perspectives about themselves and others’ hopes and dreams, expand their factual knowledge, and build stronger relationships. 

Learn more: Amazon

9. Dream Board

These printable dream boards are designed to be easy to use and feature an inspiring quote at the top to spark creativity. Guide your students to choose images that align with their dreams and aspirations, encouraging them to think big and chase their goals.

Learn more: Money Prodigy

10. Graduation Classic Read-Aloud

Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” inspires graduates with playful rhymes and colorful illustrations to pursue their dreams, embrace life’s adventures, and persevere through failures. Its timeless message resonates with all ages, making it a beloved children’s classic.

Learn more: Izzi Omg

11. Practice Interview Questions

To prepare for job interviews, high school students can use sample answers that highlight career goals and future hopes and dreams. Practicing these questions in small groups can refine their interview skills, increasing their chances of finding jobs aligned with their interests and aspirations.

Learn more: Big Interview

12. Achieving Your Goals, with Input

Encourage students to anonymously share their life goals or aspirations on a sticky note or index card. Collect the notes in a hat, read them out loud, and discuss how to achieve each one. This activity fosters mutual support and encourages and provides valuable insights to participants.

Learn more: Quiz Breaker

13. Hopes & Dreams Tree Display

Create a classroom wishing tree by instructing students to write a hope or dream on an index card, then decorate and fill a tree branch with their aspirations! This craft is simple to make and will excite elementary through high school-aged students.

Learn more: Fairy Dust Teaching

14. Drawing-Prompt

Fun for all ages, students will enjoy drawing their hopes and dreams instead of simply writing them out. With this template, students will draw themselves, then decorate each circle with a hope or dream they have for the New Year.

Learn more: Pickle Bums

15. Kid President

Kid President is full of wisdom, even at his young age. Listen to his “graduation speech” to learn about dreaming big and reaching high to achieve your goals. After watching the video, encourage your own students to write (and recite) their own “graduation speech”.

Learn more: 7 Mindsets

16. Olympic Dreams

Experience the joy of listening to the enchanting story of Samantha Peszek, an American gymnast. The story depicts how her love for the Olympics inspired her to pursue her dream of becoming a professional athlete despite challenges along the way.

Learn more: Vooks

17. Science Dreams

Provide index cards to students and instruct them to write about their hopes and dreams for Science class. This exercise can help foster a passion for the subject, set goals, and maintain motivation. 

Learn more: Bixby School

18. Dream Cloud Mobile

This cute, crafty idea will have kids excited to learn more about goal setting! They’ll create a large “I Have a Dream” cloud with miniature clouds displaying the students’ dreams for the world, themselves, and their community.

Learn more: A Day In Our Shoes

19. Artsy Quotations

This site has over 100 quotes about hopes and dreams to use for creative activities. Perhaps students can pick a quote and create an inspired piece of art, encouraging them to share their reflections while expressing their aspirations.

Learn more: LifeHack