Explain what a simile or metaphor means in the text
When to use this goal
For students who read figurative language literally, which breaks comprehension of poetry, fiction, and everyday idioms and is common with language differences. Base the choice on present levels in language and from comprehension errors on figurative passages.
- Baseline
- Write an answer key with acceptable meanings. Score the meaning and the identification of the comparison separately. Over two or three probes, note whether the student gives a literal reading, which is the signature error, or an unrelated meaning.
- Tips
- Begin with similes because the signal words make them findable. Coordinate with the speech-language pathologist, since figurative language is also a language goal. The poem condition is the annual step for literature classes.
- Limits
- Many expressions depend on cultural knowledge; choose items the student has the background for. Naming the type is less important than getting the meaning; weight scoring accordingly. Does not measure comprehension of the whole text.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID rd-comp-013.
Sign in to add this goal to a student.
Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sentences from instructional-level texts that each contain a simile or metaphor, the student will say what the expression means in the sentence and what two things are being compared independently with at least 80% accuracy on figurative language items, on 3 of 4 consecutive probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
Baseline: 30% accuracy.
- 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. Percent accuracy fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Work-sample analysis gives percent accuracy 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 Reading Comprehension.
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
- Reading - Reading Comprehension
- Baseline
- 30% accuracy.
- Annual goal386 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sentences from instructional-level texts that each contain a simile or metaphor, the student will say what the expression means in the sentence and what two things are being compared independently with at least 80% accuracy on figurative language items, on 3 of 4 consecutive probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 10 sentences from instructional-level texts that each contain a simile or metaphor
- Behavior
- The student will say what the expression means in the sentence and what two things are being compared independently
- Criteria
- With at least 80% accuracy on figurative language items, on 3 of 4 consecutive probes
- Evaluation method
- Work-sample analysis
- Schedule
- Every two weeks
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Accuracy tracker. Records number correct and number attempted.
Accuracy tracker
Percent accuracy- Student label:
- Target:
- with at least 80% accuracy on figurative language items
- Mastery rule:
- on 3 of 4 consecutive probes
- Collection schedule:
- every two weeks
- Method:
- Work-sample analysis
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sentences from instructional-level texts that each contain a simile or metaphor, the student will say what the expression means in the sentence and what two things are being compared independently with at least 80% accuracy on figurative language items, on 3 of 4 consecutive probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected every two weeks.
| Date | Task / materials | # correct | # attempted | % accuracycorrect ÷ attempted × 100 | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score only items the student attempted unless the goal defines a fixed set of items. Use the same denominator every session.
- Percent = numerator ÷ denominator × 100. Round to one decimal place.
- Record the support actually provided, even if the goal is independent performance.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.