Lesson Plan
Data Detective Plan
Guide a 7th-grade student through individualized progress monitoring by collecting, coding, and evaluating behavior data and reflecting on their own performance to inform personalized supports.
This lesson builds the student’s data literacy and self-awareness, ensuring Tier 3 supports are precise and empowering the student to take ownership of their growth.
Audience
7th Grade Special Education Student
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Structured instruction, hands-on practice, and guided reflection.
Materials
Prep
Review and Print Materials
5 minutes
- Review Detective Clues Slides to understand lesson flow
- Familiarize yourself with Behavior & Skills Checklist, Investigation Rubric, and Student Self-Reflection Journal
- Note correct responses and scoring criteria in Checklist Guidance
- Print or prepare digital access to all materials for easy student use
Step 1
Introduction & Setup
5 minutes
- Teacher greets student and explains that today they will be data detectives, tracking behavior and skills
- Show Detective Clues Slides Slide 1 (Lesson goals) and Slide 2 (Data collection overview)
- Discuss why accurate data helps tailor supports and track progress
Step 2
Modeling Data Collection
10 minutes
- Teacher demonstrates using the Behavior & Skills Checklist with a sample behavior scenario on Slide 3
- Point out how to code occurrences, use tally marks, and note context
- Refer to Investigation Rubric to show how data quality is scored
- Invite student to ask clarifying questions
Step 3
Guided Practice
8 minutes
- Present Slide 4 with a second scenario and ask student to collect data on the checklist
- Teacher and student compare coding and discuss any discrepancies
- Use Checklist Guidance to confirm correct coding and address misunderstandings
- Provide corrective feedback and encouragement
Step 4
Independent Reflection & Planning
5 minutes
- Student completes first entry in the Student Self-Reflection Journal, answering:
- What did I learn about tracking my behavior?
- How will I use this data to improve?
- Teacher reviews journal entry with student and sets one goal for next session
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
2 minutes
- Summarize key takeaways and reinforce data detective role
- Schedule next 30-minute session and explain that student will collect real-time data during class
- Encourage student to keep journal handy and ask questions anytime
Slide Deck
Data Detective Toolkit
Welcome, Detective!
Let’s learn how to track behavior clues and crack the code to support growth.
Welcome! Today we’re launching our Data Detective adventure. Use a pink-to-lavender gradient background and a detective badge icon to set the theme. Introduce yourself as the guide on this mystery-solving journey.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Explain why we collect behavior data
• Use tally marks and notes to record behaviors accurately
• Understand how quality data informs personalized support
Explain that these are the goals Detective will achieve by end of session. Animate each bullet as a new clue uncovered.
Data Collection Overview
- Observe: Watch the behavior (the “clue”).
- Code: Use tally marks on your Behavior & Skills Checklist.
- Note Context: Jot down when and where it happens.
- Review: Check quality with our Investigation Rubric.
Present an overview diagram: magnifying glass icon pointing to checklist, tally marks, context notes. Emphasize each step in sequence.
Detective Case #1 (Modeled)
Scenario: During math class, Alex called out without raising hand 4 times in 10 minutes.
• Tally: | | | |
• Context Note: “During partner work, at 10:05–10:15 AM.”
• Data Quality: Meets expectations (clear counts + context)
Walk through Case #1 together. Display a sample scenario on screen. Show how you mark tallies, add context, and score data quality. Refer to the rubric.
Detective Case #2 (Your Turn)
Scenario: In reading group, Sam got out of seat 3 times and asked for help 2 times in 8 minutes.
• Record tallies for each behavior.
• Write context details.
• Be ready to compare notes.
Invite the student detective to try Case #2. Provide scenario and pause here to let them record on the checklist.
Worksheet
Behavior & Skills Checklist
Use this table to record observed behaviors. For each behavior, mark tallies as they occur and note the context (when/where).
| Behavior | Tally Marks | Context Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Called out without raising hand | ||||
| During partner work, 10:05–10:15 AM | ||||
| Got out of seat | ||||
| During reading group, 9:20–9:28 AM | ||||
| ___________________________________ | ___________ | ___________________________________ | ||
| ___________________________________ | ___________ | ___________________________________ | ||
| ___________________________________ | ___________ | ___________________________________ | ||
| ___________________________________ | ___________ | ___________________________________ |
Add additional rows as needed when you observe new behaviors.
Journal
Student Self-Reflection Journal
1. What did I learn about tracking my behavior today?
2. How will I use this data to improve my actions or choices?
3. Describe a challenge you faced while collecting data and how you addressed it.
4. As a Data Detective, what new clues will you look for in the next session?
5. Set one specific goal for your next data collection session. Make it SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Rubric
Investigation Rubric
This rubric assesses the quality of the student’s data collection and coding. Each criterion is scored on a 1–3 scale.
| Criterion | 3 (Meets Expectation) | 2 (Approaching) | 1 (Needs Improvement) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy of Tally Marks | Tallies precisely match every observed behavior with no errors. | Tallies match most observations; 1–2 minor counting errors. | Frequent miscounts; tallies do not reflect observations accurately. |
| Context Notes | Provides clear, detailed context (when/where) for each behavior. | Context included but lacks some detail (time or setting incomplete). | Context missing or too vague to understand behavior circumstances. |
| Completeness of Observations | Records all target behaviors and any additional relevant details. | Captures most behaviors; one behavior or detail may be omitted. | Multiple behaviors or details omitted; data is incomplete. |
| Use of Rubric for Review | Self-checks data against rubric and makes corrections. | Attempts rubric review but misses 1–2 rubric elements. | Does not use rubric or fails to identify data issues. |
Score Range: 1 (Needs Improvement) to 3 (Meets Expectation)
Answer Key
Checklist Guidance
This guidance explains the correct way to complete the Behavior & Skills Checklist for the modeled scenario (Case #1) and the practice scenario (Case #2). It also shows how to apply the Investigation Rubric to self-check data quality.
Case #1 (Modeled Scenario)
Scenario Recap: During math class, Alex called out without raising hand 4 times in 10 minutes.
Expected Checklist Entry:
| Behavior | Tally Marks | Context Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Called out without raising hand | (4 tallies) | During partner work, 10:05–10:15 AM |
Step-by-Step Thought Process:
- Identify the target behavior: “called out without raising hand.”
- Count occurrences exactly (4) and record four tally marks.
- Note when and where: partner work, time span 10:05–10:15 AM.
- Leave other rows blank (no other behaviors observed).
Rubric Self-Check:
- Accuracy of Tally Marks: 3 (exact match)
- Context Notes: 3 (clear, specific)
- Completeness: 3 (all behaviors recorded)
- Use of Rubric: 3 (self-checked and correct)
Total: Meets Expectation across all criteria.
Case #2 (Practice Scenario)
Scenario Recap: In reading group, Sam got out of seat 3 times and asked for help 2 times in 8 minutes.
Expected Checklist Entries:
| Behavior | Tally Marks | Context Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Got out of seat | (3 tallies) | During reading group, e.g., 9:20–9:28 AM | |||
| Asked for help | (2 tallies) | During reading group, e.g., 9:20–9:28 AM |
Step-by-Step Thought Process:
- Locate two behaviors in the table: “got out of seat” and “asked for help.”
- For each, tally the exact count (3 and 2).
- Use the same context for both, specifying reading group and the 8-minute window.
- Verify no extra or missing behaviors.
Common Pitfalls & Corrections:
- Mis-counting tallies (e.g., writing 4 instead of 3): recount the scenario details.
- Vague context (e.g., writing just “in class”): add both setting and time range.
- Omitting a behavior: scan the scenario to ensure all behaviors are listed.
Rubric Self-Check:
- Accuracy of Tally Marks: 3 (exact match)
- Context Notes: 3 (specific time & setting)
- Completeness: 3 (both behaviors recorded)
- Use of Rubric: 3 (reviewed own work and made no corrections needed)
Using the Investigation Rubric for Future Entries
After every data-collection entry, guide the student to self-assess using these steps:
- Accuracy of Tally Marks: Recount each behavior in your head; ensure tally marks match.
- Context Notes: Check that each entry includes both a setting (e.g., reading group) and a time range.
- Completeness of Observations: Confirm that you recorded every target behavior from the scenario.
- Use of Rubric for Review: Circle any rubric criteria you did not fully meet, then revise your checklist entry.
Encourage the student to aim for a score of 3 on each criterion. If they score a 2, prompt them to identify the minor gap and correct it. A score of 1 indicates a larger issue—provide direct modeling and practice until they can self-correct.
By following this guidance, both teacher and student can ensure that behavior data are accurate, detailed, and complete—building a solid foundation for personalized, data-driven supports.