Use apostrophes in contractions and possessive nouns
When to use this goal
For students who write contractions without apostrophes (dont, cant), put apostrophes in plurals (dog's for dogs), or confuse its and it's. Present levels should show the student uses contractions in speech and writing.
- Baseline
- Give two probes of 10 sentences with contractions, singular possessives, and plurals mixed. Score each target word, and record whether errors are missing apostrophes, misplaced ones (do'nt), or apostrophes added to plurals. Keep plural possessives out until singular forms are reliable.
- Tips
- Teach contractions as two words with letters removed, which explains where the apostrophe goes. Teach possessives with the owner-and-thing frame. Include plurals in every probe so the student learns when not to use an apostrophe.
- Limits
- Its and it's is an exception that needs separate memory work. Plural possessives (the dogs' bowls) are harder and are not in this goal's probes. Prepared sentences are easier than own writing.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID wr-mec-007.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sentences that each need an apostrophe in a contraction or a possessive noun, the student will independently write each contraction and possessive noun with the apostrophe in the correct place and leave plurals without one with at least 85% accuracy on apostrophe items, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly.
Baseline: 35% 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 Capitalization, Punctuation & Grammar.
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 - Capitalization, Punctuation & Grammar
- Baseline
- 35% accuracy.
- Annual goal401 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, given 10 sentences that each need an apostrophe in a contraction or a possessive noun, the student will independently write each contraction and possessive noun with the apostrophe in the correct place and leave plurals without one with at least 85% accuracy on apostrophe items, 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 sentences that each need an apostrophe in a contraction or a possessive noun
- Behavior
- The student will independently write each contraction and possessive noun with the apostrophe in the correct place and leave plurals without one
- Criteria
- With at least 85% accuracy on apostrophe items, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes
- Evaluation method
- Work-sample analysis
- Schedule
- Weekly
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Matching data sheet
Accuracy tracker. Records number correct and number attempted.
Accuracy tracker
Percent accuracy- Student label:
- Target:
- with at least 85% accuracy on apostrophe items
- 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 sentences that each need an apostrophe in a contraction or a possessive noun, the student will independently write each contraction and possessive noun with the apostrophe in the correct place and leave plurals without one with at least 85% accuracy on apostrophe items, 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.