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Guess short or long, then time it

K-2, 3-5OpportunitiesTemplateReview and individualize before use. How templates are made
When to use this goal

For young students building a sense of time who cannot yet estimate in minutes. They guess whether a familiar task is short (one sand timer) or long (more than one), then check. Present levels, not grade, decide the timer type.

Baseline
Ask the student to guess for five familiar tasks and time them. Score guesses that matched.
Tips
Use the same timer each time. A match counts whether the guess was short or long correctly. Move to minutes once guesses are steady.
Limits
Young students' sense of time develops slowly; expect gradual change. Does not measure finishing tasks on time.

Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID ef-tm-024.

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Student

How the goal refers to the student

Skill

What the student will do

Something an adult can see, count or time.

Condition

When or under what conditions

Support

Support allowed

Criterion

Number of opportunities in which the behavior is demonstrated, out of a fixed number.

Sample numbers. Replace them with the student's data.

Criterion wording

Data collection

Each planned or naturally occurring opportunity is recorded as correct/independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.

How often data are collected
Mastery rule

How many measurements must meet the criterion.

Timeframe

Timeframe

Goal

By the annual IEP review date, before a familiar classroom task such as handwashing, cleaning a desk, or a worksheet, the student will choose short or long for the task, start the sand or visual timer, and mark whether the guess matched independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.

Baseline: 1 of 5 opportunities.

  • Condition
  • Observable behavior
  • Criterion
  • Measurement method

ObjectivesCopy by fieldData sheet

Measurability check11 of 11 met
  • Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.

  • Met: Condition. Stated.

  • Met: Unit fits the behavior. Opportunities fits this behavior.

  • Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.

  • Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.

  • Met: Method produces the metric. Opportunity (trial) recording gives opportunities 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 Time Management.

  • 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.

Build objectives by

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 - Time Management
Baseline
1 of 5 opportunities.
Annual goal391 characters
By the annual IEP review date, before a familiar classroom task such as handwashing, cleaning a desk, or a worksheet, the student will choose short or long for the task, start the sand or visual timer, and mark whether the guess matched independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Timeframe
By the annual IEP review date
Condition
Before a familiar classroom task such as handwashing, cleaning a desk, or a worksheet
Behavior
The student will choose short or long for the task, start the sand or visual timer, and mark whether the guess matched independently
Criteria
In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data
Evaluation method
Opportunity-by-opportunity data
Schedule
Twice weekly

Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.

Matching data sheet

Opportunity tracker. One box per opportunity in each session.

The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.