Write side comments in the margin instead
When to use this goal
For middle school students whose side comments and jokes during lessons pull peers off track. Base the choice on event counts. The replacement is writing the comment in the notes margin to share later with a partner or the teacher.
- Baseline
- Count side comments in the same class for 5 days. Ask the student what the comments are for (humor, boredom, connection). Write an operational definition first (what counts as the impulsive response and what counts as using the strategy), and teach and practice the strategy before measuring it. Look at when and why the impulsive response happens (excitement, wanting a turn, wanting to be first, avoiding a wait) and adjust the setting too: shorter waits, more turns, and quick acknowledgment of the student's ideas.
- Tips
- Margin comments are not read for content. Give humor a place (a share moment). Count in one class to compare days.
- Limits
- Peers' responses affect the count.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ef-ic-030.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during a 45-minute class period, the student will reduce making side comments out loud during instruction (comments or jokes to peers, as defined in their plan) to no more than 2 times per 45-minute class period, using margin notes to hold comments for later, on 4 of 5 consecutive class periods, as measured by frequency recording collected daily in one class.
Baseline: 8 times per 45-minute class period.
- Condition
- Observable behavior
- Criterion
- Measurement method
Measurability check11 of 11 met
Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.
Met: Condition. Stated.
Met: Unit fits the behavior. Frequency fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Frequency (event) recording gives frequency data.
Met: Review timeframe. Stated.
Met: Baseline and target compatible. Same unit, change in the right direction.
Met: Aligned with area of need. Still about Impulse Control & Inhibition.
Met: Level of support. Defined.
Met: Blanks filled in. Nothing left to fill in.
Checks structure and wording only. Whether the goal fits the student is the team's call.
Short-term objectives (optional)
When are objectives required?Required for students on alternate assessments (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)); some states require them for everyone.
Paste into your IEP system
Most district systems have a separate box for each part of a goal. Copy them one at a time, or all at once as labeled text.
- Area of need
- Executive Function - Impulse Control & Inhibition
- Baseline
- 8 times per 45-minute class period.
- Annual goal392 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during a 45-minute class period, the student will reduce making side comments out loud during instruction (comments or jokes to peers, as defined in their plan) to no more than 2 times per 45-minute class period, using margin notes to hold comments for later, on 4 of 5 consecutive class periods, as measured by frequency recording collected daily in one class.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During a 45-minute class period
- Behavior
- The student will reduce making side comments out loud during instruction (comments or jokes to peers, as defined in their plan), using margin notes to hold comments for later
- Criteria
- No more than 2 times per 45-minute class period, on 4 of 5 consecutive class periods
- Evaluation method
- Frequency recording
- Schedule
- Daily in one class
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Frequency & rate tracker. Records the count and the observation length.
Frequency & rate tracker
Frequency- Student label:
- Target:
- no more than 2 times per 45-minute class period
- Mastery rule:
- on 4 of 5 consecutive class periods
- Collection schedule:
- daily in one class
- Method:
- Frequency (event) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during a 45-minute class period, the student will reduce making side comments out loud during instruction (comments or jokes to peers, as defined in their plan) to no more than 2 times per 45-minute class period, using margin notes to hold comments for later, on 4 of 5 consecutive class periods, as measured by frequency recording collected daily in one class.
| Date | Observation period (start–end) | Minutes observed | Activity / context | Count (tally) | Rate per minutecount ÷ minutes (only if periods vary) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Count each occurrence of the defined behavior per 45-minute class period.
- Keep the observation length the same each session. If it varies, compare rate per minute, not raw counts.
- Write the behavior definition at the top of the sheet so all data collectors count the same thing.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.