Write a journal entry of connected sentences about a picture or event
When to use this goal
For students who can write a single sentence but produce one line and stop during journal time, or who write unrelated sentences. Present levels should show reliable single-sentence writing; the number of sentences in the target comes from current samples.
- Baseline
- Review five recent journal entries written under the same time limit. Count sentences the student intended (a capital or clear break counts as a boundary) and mark whether each relates to the prompt. An entry succeeds only when at least three sentences are on the same topic.
- Tips
- Use prompts about experiences the student has had, since journals rely on the student's own ideas. Accept readable invented spelling and score only sentence count and topic. If the student types or dictates, keep that mode the same across weeks.
- Limits
- Counting sentences rewards quantity, not quality, so pair with a rubric goal when organization becomes the need. Prompts differ in how much a student has to say about them. Journal time is often unstructured, so make sure the 15 minutes is protected on data days.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID wr-exp-009.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given a daily journal prompt or a picture and 15 minutes of journal time, the student will write at least three connected sentences about the prompt independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of journal entries, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
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 Written Expression.
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
- Writing - Written Expression
- Baseline
- 1 of 5 opportunities.
- Annual goal339 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given a daily journal prompt or a picture and 15 minutes of journal time, the student will write at least three connected sentences about the prompt independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of journal entries, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given a daily journal prompt or a picture and 15 minutes of journal time
- Behavior
- The student will write at least three connected sentences about the prompt independently
- Criteria
- In at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of journal entries
- Evaluation method
- Opportunity-by-opportunity data
- Schedule
- Weekly
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:
- across 3 consecutive weeks of journal entries
- Collection schedule:
- weekly
- Method:
- Opportunity (trial) recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given a daily journal prompt or a picture and 15 minutes of journal time, the student will write at least three connected sentences about the prompt independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of journal entries, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
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.