Imitate lines, circles, and crosses after watching
When to use this goal
For preschool students who scribble when asked to draw a line or circle and who cannot yet copy from a printed model. Imitating right after watching an adult comes before copying a model, so present levels on both tell you where to start, not age.
- Baseline
- Model each of the four strokes twice and score the student's version: recognizable stroke, partial, or scribble. Note which strokes are already there; vertical lines usually come first, then horizontal, circle, and cross.
- Tips
- Vertical surfaces like easels help wrist position. Count any tool. Once imitation is steady, move to copying from a model (mt-hw-001).
- Limits
- Imitation is a readiness step, not handwriting. Judging "about the same places" needs a shared rule between observers.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID mt-hw-027.
Sign in to add this goal to a student.
Goal
By the annual IEP review date, after the adult draws a vertical line, a horizontal line, a circle, or a cross on the student's paper and covers it, the student will draw the same stroke, starting and ending in about the same places independently in at least 6 of 8 trials, across 3 consecutive weekly sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly during OT or fine motor centers.
Baseline: 2 of 8 opportunities.
- 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. 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 Handwriting.
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
- Motor & Sensory Skills (OT, PT & Adapted PE) - Handwriting
- Baseline
- 2 of 8 opportunities.
- Annual goal407 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, after the adult draws a vertical line, a horizontal line, a circle, or a cross on the student's paper and covers it, the student will draw the same stroke, starting and ending in about the same places independently in at least 6 of 8 trials, across 3 consecutive weekly sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly during OT or fine motor centers.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- After the adult draws a vertical line, a horizontal line, a circle, or a cross on the student's paper and covers it
- Behavior
- The student will draw the same stroke, starting and ending in about the same places independently
- Criteria
- In at least 6 of 8 trials, across 3 consecutive weekly sessions
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Weekly during OT or fine motor centers
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Opportunity tracker. One box per opportunity in each session.
Opportunity tracker
Opportunities- Student label:
- Target:
- in at least 6 of 8 trials
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive weekly sessions
- Collection schedule:
- weekly during OT or fine motor centers
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, after the adult draws a vertical line, a horizontal line, a circle, or a cross on the student's paper and covers it, the student will draw the same stroke, starting and ending in about the same places independently in at least 6 of 8 trials, across 3 consecutive weekly sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly during OT or fine motor centers.
Key: + demonstrated independently · P demonstrated with a prompt (note type) · − not demonstrated · NA no opportunity occurred
| Date | Activity / context | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | # + (of 8) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Record up to 8 opportunities per session, matching the goal's denominator.
- Define in advance what counts as an opportunity so every data collector records the same thing.
- Count only + marks toward the criterion unless the goal specifies prompted responses.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.