Say sentences with a smooth, natural rhythm
When to use this goal
For students whose sentences sound choppy, with pauses between syllables or words and equal stress throughout. Present levels decide fit. A short rubric lets the SLP score rhythm, stress, and smoothness together.
- Baseline
- Record 5 sentences and score the recording on the rubric. Have a second listener score the same recording once to check agreement before progress monitoring starts.
- Tips
- Score from a recording when you can; it is easier to hear rhythm on replay. Share the rubric with the student so they can rate their own recordings too. Natural speed comes later than smooth joins.
- Limits
- Prosody ratings are perceptual and vary between scorers. The rubric does not score sound accuracy. Dialect and home-language rhythm are not errors.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-ms-018.
Sign in to add this goal to a student.
Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 5 practiced sentences of 4 to 6 words about pictures or class topics, the student will say each sentence with smooth joins between syllables and words and natural stress on key words independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 3-row sentence prosody rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
Baseline: 3 out of 9 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 Motor Speech (Apraxia & Dysarthria).
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
- Speech & Language - Motor Speech (Apraxia & Dysarthria)
- Baseline
- 3 out of 9 rubric points.
- Annual goal437 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 5 practiced sentences of 4 to 6 words about pictures or class topics, the student will say each sentence with smooth joins between syllables and words and natural stress on key words independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 3-row sentence prosody rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 5 practiced sentences of 4 to 6 words about pictures or class topics
- Behavior
- The student will say each sentence with smooth joins between syllables and words and natural stress on key words independently
- Criteria
- Earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 3-row sentence prosody rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- 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 7 out of 9 on a 3-row sentence prosody rubric scored 0 to 3 per row
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Collection schedule:
- every two weeks
- Method:
- Rubric scoring
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 5 practiced sentences of 4 to 6 words about pictures or class topics, the student will say each sentence with smooth joins between syllables and words and natural stress on key words independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 3-row sentence prosody rubric scored 0 to 3 per row, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected every two weeks.
| Date | Task / sample | Smooth joins: no pauses between syllables of a word or between words | Stress: key words stronger than small words | Overall rhythm sounds like natural speech to a listener | Total (of 9) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score each sample with a 3-row sentence prosody 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.