5 IEP Goals for Math (K.OA)

Kindergarten Operations & Algebraic Thinking

I don’t know about you, but when I started teaching writing IEP goals for math was hard. Then I found out I needed to align them to standards. What did that even mean?! If my students were meeting grade level standards they wouldn’t need IEP goals. That’s when I started doing a lot of digging into what everything meant and I started to absolutely LOVE writing IEP goals for math skills. I started my deep dive with the math standards (math nerd over here) and I came up with 5 IEP goals for math that are aligned to Kindergarten Operations & Algebraic Thinking (K.OA) that you can use with your students, too! I’m planning on covering some Common Core Standards and helping you write some MEANINGFUL IEP goals that are ALIGNED to the standards.

Now, aligning to standards doesn’t mean your students are going to master grade level standards. What that means to me is that students are working towards mastery of part of the common core state standards.

In this post, I’m going to provide you with a meaningful math IEP goal for the Kindergarten standards of Operations & Algebraic Thinking. I am going to share a goal you can use, the common core standard it’s aligned to, and a few activities to help you progress monitor each goal. Ready to dive in with me? Let’s do it!

1. Addition and Subtraction with Objects

GOAL: By (DATE), when read a word problem with numbers less than 5, (STUDENT) will draw pictures or use manipulatives to represent addition and subtraction problems in __/__ trials as measured by teacher charted data.

Aligns to: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1

In this beginning word problem goal, the idea is really to get students to understand adding to and taking away objects based on the language from the word problem. Students will use drawings or manipulatives to act out the word problem as it is read aloud.

Here are some resources you can use to progress monitor this goal in your classroom:

2. Decomposing Numbers

GOAL: By (DATE), when given a number 2-10, (STUDENT) will identify at least 3 pairs of numbers whose sum equals the target number in __/__ trials as measured by teacher charted data.

Aligns to: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.3

Students will decompose numbers by completing a number bond. The target number goes in a bigger circle, and students will identify a pair of numbers that has the sum of the target number. For example, if the target is 5, the student could come up with 2+3, 1+4, and 5+0. These are all combinations that would equal the target number of 5. You could also mix this goal up and have students identify quantities instead of numbers. In this case, they would identify pictures for their 10 frame instead of digits.

Here are some resources you can use to progress monitor this goal in your classroom:

3. Making 10

GOAL: By (DATE), when shown a number of objects less than 10 on a 10 frame, (STUDENT) will determine how many more objects are needed to make 10 in __/__ trials as measured by teacher charted data.

Aligns to: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.4

This composing numbers goal is a great way to get students thinking more fluidly about numbers. Building numbers to 10 is a skill that will help as students get more involved in addition and subtraction. If your students aren’t ready to determine numbers to 10, give 5 a try.

Here are some resources you can use to progress monitor this goal in your classroom:

Making 10 Worksheets

4. Adding within 5

GOAL: By (DATE), when given a 5-frame and manipulatives, (STUDENT) will solve addition problems to 5 with __% accuracy as measured by teacher charted data.

Aligns To: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.5

Beginning to add within 5 is your first step to addition fluency. I like to use objects and a 5-frame to work on this skill in my classroom. It gives students a hands on experience with building and combining numbers.

Here are some resources you can use to progress monitor this goal in your classroom:

Addition Mega Pack for Special Education – just using pages with sums less than 5
Addition to 5 Workbook
Addition Graphic Organizer
Addition Sums to 5 with Boom Cards™ | Camping
Addition Sums to 5 with Boom Cards™ | Summer
Addition Concepts Math Unit For Special Education (Leveled Math Centers)

5. Subtracting within 5

GOAL: GOAL: By (DATE), when given a 5-frame and manipulatives, (STUDENT) will solve subtraction problems utilizing numbers less than 5 with __% accuracy as measured by teacher charted data.

Aligns To: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.5

You may notice that this goal is very similar to the addition goal I shared. That’s because I like to separate addition and subtraction (especially when we’re first learning to solve these problems) because they’re 2 different skills. If I were targeting attention to the sign and mixed operations, I would combine the goals for addition and subtraction. In this goal, students will solve subtraction problems within 5 by utilizing a 5 frame. I find that the hands on experience helps students build number concepts.

Here are some resources you can use to progress monitor this goal in your classroom:

Subtraction Mega Pack for Special Education – I would use the pages with numbers less than 5.
Subtraction to 5 Workbook
Subtraction Concepts (Special Education Math Unit)

I hope you’re less stressed about writing math IEP goals for your students towards Common Core standards. These goals are not the end all when it comes to writing Common Core aligned goals. It’s a great starting point and the true IEP goal magic comes when you start tailoring these IEP goals to fit the student you’re working with in your classroom!

Want to see the goals I’m using for Counting and Cardinality? Check out this post.

What Common Core standards do you want to see goals aligned to next? Drop me a comment and let me know!