Introduction

In special education, developing strong conversation skills is crucial for middle school students’ academic success and social growth. This blog post will explore the target skill of making connected comments, its impact on learning and social interactions, and how to create effective IEP goals for its improvement.

Understanding Connected Comments

Connected comments are essential for maintaining meaningful conversations. They refer to the practice of responding to others with relevant and related information, ensuring a smooth and cohesive dialogue. When students struggle with connected comments, it can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and difficulty building social relationships.

The Role of Specialists

Various specialists can support the development of connected comments in middle school students:

• Speech-Language Pathologists: They can help students improve their communication skills and teach strategies for maintaining topic cohesion in conversations.
• Social Workers: They can assist students in understanding social cues and the importance of staying on topic during discussions.
• Psychologists: They can address any underlying cognitive or emotional challenges that may be affecting the student’s ability to make connected comments.
• School Counselors: They can provide guidance on social skills development and facilitate group activities that promote connected comments practice.

IEP Goals for Connected Comments

Here are some SMART IEP goals that educators can use to improve connected comments in middle school students:

1. Goal: The student will make connected comments in 80% of conversational exchanges during a 10-minute conversation with a peer.
   
   Strategies and Activities: Role-playing, conversation scripts, and guided practice with peers.
2. Goal: The student will ask relevant follow-up questions in 75% of conversations during classroom discussions.
   
   Strategies and Activities: Direct instruction on question formulation, group discussions, and visual supports.
3. Goal: The student will maintain topic cohesion for at least 5 conversational turns in 90% of observed conversations.
   
   Strategies and Activities: Social stories, video modeling, and self-monitoring techniques.

Implementing and Measuring Progress

To implement these IEP goals effectively, educators should:

• Collaborate with specialists to ensure a comprehensive approach.
• Provide consistent opportunities for students to practice connected comments in various settings.
• Regularly monitor and track students’ progress using data collection tools and anecdotal records.
• Adjust strategies and supports as needed to ensure continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Developing connected comments is essential for middle school students’ success in academics and social interactions. With the help of specialists and carefully crafted IEP goals, educators can support students in enhancing their conversation skills. We encourage you to apply these IEP goals and explore more resources at Everyday Speech Sample Materials.