Include what characters say in a story
When to use this goal
For students whose stories tell actions but never let characters speak. Dialogue ("The girl shouted, 'Watch out!'") shows feelings and moves the plot, and it appears in nearly every story they read. Base the choice on narrative samples. For character feelings, see sl-nar-008.
- Baseline
- Record five stories and count dialogue lines and speaking verbs. Note whether the student uses voices without speaking verbs, which still shows dialogue but can be hard to follow.
- Tips
- Each story is one opportunity, scored correct with two or more dialogue lines with speaking verbs. Direct quotes and reported speech both count. Using character voices is welcome. Link with written narrative goals if the student also writes stories.
- Limits
- Some prompts invite dialogue more than others; choose pictures with two or more characters. The goal does not score story structure.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-nar-034.
Sign in to add this goal to a student.
Goal
By the annual IEP review date, when telling an original story from a picture or a story starter, the student will include at least two lines of character dialogue, each with a speaking verb (such as said, asked, yelled, whispered) independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected every two weeks.
Baseline: 1 of 5 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 Narrative Language & Retelling.
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 - Narrative Language & Retelling
- Baseline
- 1 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal391 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, when telling an original story from a picture or a story starter, the student will include at least two lines of character dialogue, each with a speaking verb (such as said, asked, yelled, whispered) independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected every two weeks.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- When telling an original story from a picture or a story starter
- Behavior
- The student will include at least two lines of character dialogue, each with a speaking verb (such as said, asked, yelled, whispered) independently
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Every two weeks
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 4 of 5 opportunities
- Mastery rule:
- in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes
- Collection schedule:
- every two weeks
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, when telling an original story from a picture or a story starter, the student will include at least two lines of character dialogue, each with a speaking verb (such as said, asked, yelled, whispered) independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, in 3 of 4 consecutive biweekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected every two weeks.
Key: + demonstrated independently · P demonstrated with a prompt (note type) · − not demonstrated · NA no opportunity occurred
| Date | Activity / context | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | # + (of 5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Record up to 5 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.