Draft a biography of a historical figure
When to use this goal
For upper elementary students who can gather facts about a person but write them as an unordered list. Present levels should show several sentences on a topic; the target is a biography in time order that explains why the person matters.
- Baseline
- Score one biography or report about a person, each row 0 to 3. If none exists, use a short timed task with a provided fact list. Note whether time order is the problem or whether the closing explanation is missing.
- Tips
- Biographies come up in social studies and reading units, so coordinate the calendar with the classroom teacher. Offer figures from many backgrounds and let the student choose. Typed or dictated drafts are fine when transcription is not the focus.
- Limits
- Few biography assignments happen per year; use shorter people profiles between them. Source reading level affects the facts available. The rubric does not score conventions.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID wr-exp-057.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given notes on a historical figure from a social studies unit and two writing sessions, the student will write a biography that introduces the person, tells at least three life events in time order with dates or time words, and explains why the person is remembered independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point biography writing rubric, on 2 consecutive scored biographies, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
Baseline: 3 out of 9 rubric points.
- 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. Rubric score fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Rubric scoring gives rubric score 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
- 3 out of 9 rubric points.
- Annual goal485 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given notes on a historical figure from a social studies unit and two writing sessions, the student will write a biography that introduces the person, tells at least three life events in time order with dates or time words, and explains why the person is remembered independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point biography writing rubric, on 2 consecutive scored biographies, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- Given notes on a historical figure from a social studies unit and two writing sessions
- Behavior
- The student will write a biography that introduces the person, tells at least three life events in time order with dates or time words, and explains why the person is remembered independently
- Criteria
- Earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point biography writing rubric, on 2 consecutive scored biographies
- Evaluation method
- A defined scoring rubric
- Schedule
- Monthly
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Rubric tracker. Scores each rubric criterion and totals them.
Rubric tracker
Rubric score- Student label:
- Target:
- earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point biography writing rubric
- Mastery rule:
- on 2 consecutive scored biographies
- Collection schedule:
- monthly
- Method:
- Rubric scoring
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, given notes on a historical figure from a social studies unit and two writing sessions, the student will write a biography that introduces the person, tells at least three life events in time order with dates or time words, and explains why the person is remembered independently, earning a score of at least 7 out of 9 on a 9-point biography writing rubric, on 2 consecutive scored biographies, as measured by a defined scoring rubric collected monthly.
| Date | Task / sample | Introduces the person with when and where they lived | Tells at least three life events in time order | Explains why the person is remembered | Total (of 9) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Score each sample with a 9-point biography writing rubric. Attach or reference the rubric's score descriptors.
- Use the same prompt type and conditions for each scored sample.
- If two people score, check agreement on a few samples before relying on the data.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.