Order words by strength of meaning
When to use this goal
For students who know common words but treat related words as the same (warm, hot, boiling; nibble, eat, devour), which flattens their reading comprehension and writing. Ordering words on a scale builds precision. Base the choice on vocabulary assessment and writing samples.
- Baseline
- Probe 10 sets, half familiar and half less familiar, and score whole sets correct. Note whether errors come from not knowing one word or from not seeing the scale.
- Tips
- Score a set correct when the order is right; some sets have close pairs that reasonable people order differently, so accept defensible answers and agree on a key ahead of time. Link to writing goals where word choice matters.
- Limits
- Intensity judgments can depend on dialect and experience. Ordering on cards does not show use of precise words in writing.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID sl-sem-030.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sets of three or four related words on cards (such as cool, cold, freezing) and a line from "less" to "more", the student will put the words in order from weakest to strongest and explain one difference independently with at least 85% accuracy on word sets ordered, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
Baseline: 40% 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. Work-sample analysis 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
- 40% accuracy.
- Annual goal396 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sets of three or four related words on cards (such as cool, cold, freezing) and a line from "less" to "more", the student will put the words in order from weakest to strongest and explain one difference independently with at least 85% accuracy on word sets ordered, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given 10 sets of three or four related words on cards (such as cool, cold, freezing) and a line from "less" to "more"
- Behavior
- The student will put the words in order from weakest to strongest and explain one difference independently
- Criteria
- With at least 85% accuracy on word sets ordered, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
- Evaluation method
- Work-sample analysis
- Schedule
- Weekly
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 85% accuracy on word sets ordered
- Mastery rule:
- in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
- Collection schedule:
- weekly
- Method:
- Work-sample analysis
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sets of three or four related words on cards (such as cool, cold, freezing) and a line from "less" to "more", the student will put the words in order from weakest to strongest and explain one difference independently with at least 85% accuracy on word sets ordered, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
| 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.