Handwriting IEP goals for kindergarten to grade 2
26 of the handwriting templates in the library are written for kindergarten to grade 2. Each opens in the builder, where the grade band is a starting point and the baseline comes from your own assessment.
26 templates · 1 skill · K–2 · How we write and review goals
Goals by skill
Numbers are illustrative; set targets from the student's own baseline.
Handwriting Motor & Sensory Skills (OT, PT & Adapted PE)
Copy pre-writing strokes and shapes
Pre-writing strokes
By the annual IEP review date, given a printed model of a vertical line, horizontal line, circle, cross, and square and a crayon, the student will copy each stroke so that it is recognizable and has the correct orientation independently with at least 80% accuracy on strokes copied recognizably, on 3 consecutive weekly work samples, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly during a writing center or OT session.
Write first name with correctly formed letters
Name writing
By the annual IEP review date, given a blank name line at the top of a worksheet, the student will write the first name with each letter formed correctly, in order, and facing the right direction independently with 100% accuracy on letters in the name formed correctly, on 4 of 5 consecutive daily work samples, as measured by work-sample analysis collected daily from the name line on class work, reviewed weekly.
Form lowercase letters with correct strokes from a model
Lowercase letter formation
By the annual IEP review date, given a model of each lowercase letter and lined paper, the student will write each letter starting at the correct point and using the stroke sequence taught in the classroom handwriting program independently with at least 90% accuracy on lowercase letters formed with the correct stroke sequence, on 3 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly on a 26-letter probe.
Write uppercase letters from dictation
Uppercase letter formation
By the annual IEP review date, given each uppercase letter named aloud in random order and lined paper, the student will write each letter so that it is recognizable, faces the correct direction, and uses the taught stroke sequence independently with at least 90% accuracy on uppercase letters written correctly from dictation, on 3 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly on a 26-letter dictation probe.
Write numerals 0 to 9 with correct formation
Numeral formation
By the annual IEP review date, given each numeral 0 to 9 named aloud in random order and a row of boxes, the student will independently write each numeral starting at the top, facing the correct direction, and recognizable without a model with at least 95% accuracy on numerals formed correctly, on 3 consecutive weekly probes, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly on a 20-numeral dictation probe.
Write b, d, p, and q facing the correct direction
Letter reversals
By the annual IEP review date, during a writing sample of at least 50 words, the student will write each target letter facing the correct direction independently with at least 95% accuracy on target letters written facing the correct direction, on 3 consecutive weekly writing samples, as measured by work-sample analysis collected weekly from a writing sample.
In kindergarten through grade 2, handwriting goals target foundational skills and are measured with short probes, word lists, or direct observation that fit a young student's attention span. Criteria usually use small item sets and frequent checks.
Matching data sheets
Each goal above links to the blank sheet built for its measure. These are the sheets this set of goals uses:
- Accuracy trackerNumber correct out of number attempted, with percent accuracy and support level.Used by 19 goals here
- Task-analysis checklistMarks each step of a routine as independent, with support, or not completed across sessions.Used by 1 goal here
- Opportunity trackerRecords each opportunity as independent, prompted, or not demonstrated.Used by 3 goals here
- Frequency & rate trackerCounts a defined behavior during a fixed observation period. Calculates rate when time is recorded.Used by 2 goals here
- Rubric trackerScores each rubric criterion and totals the score for each sample.Used by 1 goal here
Frequently asked questions
How are handwriting goals measured in the early grades?
With brief, repeatable measures: a one-minute probe, a 10-item set, or a few observed opportunities per day. The goal's mastery rule states how many measurements must meet the criterion.
Should early-grade goals be tied to grade-level standards?
Goals come from the student's present levels and should enable progress in the general curriculum, but the criterion is set from baseline data, not copied from a standard. The standard can inform what skill to target.
How many goals should a K-2 student have?
One per area of need identified in the evaluation. Young students often have goals across several areas (communication, early literacy, self-regulation), so keeping each goal to one measure keeps data collection realistic.
IEP Atlas Pro
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