Preschool Writing IEP goals
9 writing templates list preschool (ages 3 to 5) among their grade bands, across 5 skills: sentence construction, paragraph organization, written expression, spelling, capitalization, punctuation & grammar. Each opens in the builder with a matching data sheet.
9 templates · 5 skills · Pre-K · How we write and review goals
Goals by skill
Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Sentence Construction Writing
Build a sentence from word cards and read it back
Building a sentence from word cards
By the annual IEP review date, given three to four picture-supported word cards that form a sentence, presented out of order, the student will arrange the cards left to right into a sentence that makes sense and read it aloud while pointing to each card independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected twice weekly.
Paragraph Organization Writing
Order three pictures and dictate or write a sentence for each
Sequencing pictures and telling one sentence per picture
By the annual IEP review date, given three pictures of a familiar routine or short story, presented out of order, the student will arrange the pictures in order and dictate or write one sentence for each picture using first, then, and last, performing all 4 steps independently, across 3 consecutive data collection days, as measured by a task-analysis checklist collected twice weekly.
Written Expression Writing
Dictate a sentence about a drawing for an adult to write
Dictating a message about a drawing
By the annual IEP review date, after completing a drawing during center or journal time, the student will dictate a complete sentence about the drawing for an adult to write under it with one open question such as what is happening in your picture in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Label a drawing with letters or words
Emergent writing with letters and labels
By the annual IEP review date, after completing a drawing during journal or center time, the student will write at least one label on the drawing using the first letter sound or more of the word independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Spelling Writing
Write first name with the letters in order
Writing own first name
By the annual IEP review date, when asked to write their name on a paper or project, the student will write their first name with every letter present and in order independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Write the first letter of pictured words
Initial sound spelling
By the annual IEP review date, given 10 pictures of familiar objects whose names begin with taught consonant sounds, the student will write the letter for the first sound of each pictured word independently with at least 90% accuracy on pictured words, in 3 of 4 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Write first name with one capital and the rest lowercase
Uppercase and lowercase in own name
By the annual IEP review date, when asked to write their first name on a paper or project, the student will write their first name with a capital first letter and lowercase letters after it independently in at least 4 of 5 opportunities, across 3 consecutive weeks of data, as measured by opportunity-by-opportunity data collected weekly.
Preschool writing goals are measured inside daily routines rather than with worksheets, and the criteria are small: a few opportunities a day, a handful of steps, short periods of time. Conditions name the routine (circle, centers, snack) so any adult in the room can take the data.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 7 goals here
- Task-analysis checklistMarks each step of a routine as independent, with support, or not completed across sessions.Used by 1 goal here
- Accuracy trackerNumber correct out of number attempted, with percent accuracy and support level.Used by 1 goal here
Frequently asked questions
What do writing goals look like for preschool?
They describe a readiness or developmental skill performed during a classroom routine, with a criterion in opportunities or steps. The support level is written in, since most preschool goals start with prompting and fade it.
How often should preschool goals be measured?
A few opportunities on most days, recorded on a trial or task-analysis sheet. Short, frequent samples match how young children show skills.
Does a preschool IEP need the same parts as a school-age IEP?
Yes. Measurable annual goals, present levels, and progress reporting are required at every age under 34 CFR 300.320. Preschool IEPs may also address participation in appropriate activities rather than the general curriculum.
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