Give a synonym for a word
When to use this goal
For students who use the same few words for everything and do not recognize that textbook and test items restate ideas with different words. Base the choice on a vocabulary assessment and classroom work.
- Baseline
- Probe 20 common adjectives, verbs, and nouns in isolation and 10 in sentences. Record whether errors are antonyms, associated words ("sun" for "hot"), or no response. Check whether the student can choose a synonym from choices before expecting production.
- Tips
- Score correct when the word has about the same meaning in the given context; near-synonyms that fit ("large" or "huge" for "big") are correct, and the SLP keeps a list of accepted answers. In sentence contexts, the replacement must keep the sentence's meaning. Teach the idea that synonyms are not identical and discuss shades of meaning during instruction, but score only correctness.
- Limits
- Some words have no common synonym, so item selection matters. Synonym knowledge is not a measure of vocabulary depth on its own; pair with definition or context-clue goals for a fuller picture.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-sem-012.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 spoken or written words (such as big, happy, fast), the student will give a synonym for each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on synonym items, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
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. Opportunity (trial) recording 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 Vocabulary & Semantics.
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 - Vocabulary & Semantics
- Baseline
- 30% accuracy.
- Annual goal321 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 10 spoken or written words (such as big, happy, fast), the student will give a synonym for each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on synonym items, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 10 spoken or written words (such as big, happy, fast)
- Behavior
- The student will give a synonym for each word independently
- Criteria
- With at least 80% accuracy on synonym items, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- During each therapy session
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 synonym items
- Mastery rule:
- across 3 consecutive therapy sessions
- Collection schedule:
- during each therapy session
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 10 spoken or written words (such as big, happy, fast), the student will give a synonym for each word independently with at least 80% accuracy on synonym items, across 3 consecutive therapy sessions, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected during each therapy session.
| 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.