Label emotions shown in pictures
When to use this goal
For young students who use few emotion words (often only happy and sad) and so have trouble telling adults what is going on or talking about story characters. Base the choice on a vocabulary probe and classroom observation. This is a vocabulary goal; it does not ask the student to read anyone's face as a social requirement.
- Baseline
- Probe 10 situations and record the emotion words used. Accept any word that fits the situation (upset, angry, and mad all fit a broken toy). Ask the family which emotion words the child uses at home and in their home language.
- Tips
- Score correct when the word fits the situation, not a single right answer. Situations, not facial expressions alone, carry the meaning; this supports students who do not read faces easily. Use the same words in daily routines so the student has them for their own experiences.
- Limits
- Labeling emotions in pictures does not mean the student will name their own emotions in the moment. Cultural norms for showing and naming emotions vary; choose situations that are clear across backgrounds.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-sem-027.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 photos or drawings of people in clear situations (a broken toy, a birthday, a loud noise) and asked "How is this person doing?", the student will name the emotion that fits the situation (such as happy, sad, mad, scared, surprised, or tired) using speech, sign, or a device independently with at least 80% accuracy on emotion pictures labeled, 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 goal508 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 10 photos or drawings of people in clear situations (a broken toy, a birthday, a loud noise) and asked "How is this person doing?", the student will name the emotion that fits the situation (such as happy, sad, mad, scared, surprised, or tired) using speech, sign, or a device independently with at least 80% accuracy on emotion pictures labeled, 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 photos or drawings of people in clear situations (a broken toy, a birthday, a loud noise) and asked "How is this person doing?"
- Behavior
- The student will name the emotion that fits the situation (such as happy, sad, mad, scared, surprised, or tired) using speech, sign, or a device independently
- Criteria
- With at least 80% accuracy on emotion pictures labeled, 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 emotion pictures labeled
- 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 photos or drawings of people in clear situations (a broken toy, a birthday, a loud noise) and asked "How is this person doing?", the student will name the emotion that fits the situation (such as happy, sad, mad, scared, surprised, or tired) using speech, sign, or a device independently with at least 80% accuracy on emotion pictures labeled, 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.