Analyze a character's motives in a story
When to use this goal
For students who describe what characters do but not why. Present levels decide fit. Motives connect emotions, wants, and past events.
- Baseline
- Score two responses on the rubric from stories of similar difficulty.
- Tips
- Coordinate with the ELA teacher to use class texts. Spoken answers are fine when writing is a barrier.
- Limits
- This overlaps with literature analysis; keep the focus on people's reasons. Fiction is simpler than real social life.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID se-aw-032.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, after reading or watching a short story or scene at the student's level, the student will explain the character's motive with evidence and say how another character sees the choice independently, earning a score of at least 9 out of 12 on a 4-row character motive rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, in 3 of 4 biweekly probes, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
Baseline: 4 out of 12 rubric points.
- 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. Rubric score fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Rubric scoring gives rubric score 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 Social Awareness & Perspective Taking.
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
- Social-Emotional & Communication - Social Awareness & Perspective Taking
- Baseline
- 4 out of 12 rubric points.
- Annual goal418 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, after reading or watching a short story or scene at the student's level, the student will explain the character's motive with evidence and say how another character sees the choice independently, earning a score of at least 9 out of 12 on a 4-row character motive rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, in 3 of 4 biweekly probes, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- After reading or watching a short story or scene at the student's level
- Behavior
- The student will explain the character's motive with evidence and say how another character sees the choice independently
- Criteria
- Earning a score of at least 9 out of 12 on a 4-row character motive rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, in 3 of 4 biweekly probes
- Evaluation method
- A defined scoring rubric
- Schedule
- Every two weeks
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Rubric tracker. Scores each rubric criterion and totals them.
Rubric tracker
Rubric score- Student label:
- Target:
- earning a score of at least 9 out of 12 on a 4-row character motive rubric scored 0 to 3 per row
- Mastery rule:
- in 3 of 4 biweekly probes
- Collection schedule:
- every two weeks
- Method:
- Rubric scoring
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, after reading or watching a short story or scene at the student's level, the student will explain the character's motive with evidence and say how another character sees the choice independently, earning a score of at least 9 out of 12 on a 4-row character motive rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, in 3 of 4 biweekly probes, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
| Date | Task / sample | Names a fitting motive | Links the motive to the character's emotions or past | Uses evidence from the story | Explains how another character sees the choice | Total (of 12) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score each sample with a 4-row character motive rubric scored 0 to 3 per row. Attach or reference the rubric's score descriptors.
- Use the same prompt type and conditions for each scored sample.
- If two people score, check agreement on a few samples before relying on the data.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.