Take Aim Small-Group Format: Determining level and instructional model

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Students who need explicit instruction to enrich their reading vocabularies can benefit from the Take Aim at Vocabulary program. The primary purpose of Take Aim! at Vocabulary – Small-Group Format is to provide explicit instruction in the skills needed for vocabulary acquisition to small groups of students. Take Aim has two levels: Goldenrod Level and Indigo Level. The same vocabulary skills and strategies are taught in each level:

• Using context clues
• Analyzing word parts
• Using a dictionary or glossary
• Understanding words in multiple contexts
• Developing connections among words
• Exploring words through parts of speech

The text demand and the difficulty of the target words are similar for each unit within a level, so students can complete the units within a level in any order. However, the text demand and difficulty of the target words increases from the Goldenrod Level to the Indigo Level.

When determining the best Take Aim level for students, consider two factors:

• Consider the students’ reading levels
• Consider the instructional model

STUDENTS' READING LEVELS

When determining the best Take Aim level for students, consider the students' reading levels. The Take Aim text should be at the students' independent or instructional levels so that students can focus on the task of learning the skills and strategies of vocabulary acquisition.

• Goldenrod is designed for students who read at or above a fourth-grade reading level.
• Indigo is designed for students who read at or above a fifth-grade reading level.

Suggested Guidelines for Determining Take Aim Level

Type of Instruction	Students' Reading Level
	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5	Grade 6	Grades 7–12
Enrichment	Goldenrod	Indigo
Classroom Instruction		Goldenrod	Goldenrod or Indigo
Intervention			Goldenrod	Goldenrod or Indigo

INSTRUCTIONAL MODELS

Lessons can be differentiated to meet the needs of students who are appropriately placed in Take Aim. Teacher involvement in Take Aim instruction can range from an intensive model (teacher-directed lessons) to a strategic model (teacher-connection lessons). Students requiring additional scaffolding can be directed to use the audio CDs in either model.

Suggested Guidelines for Determining Instructional Model

Level of Student Need	Recommended Instructional Model
Students who need direct teacher involvement	Teacher-directed lessons
Students who work well in small groups and can complete assignments independently	Teacher connection lessons

LESSON PLANS

A Training Lesson Plan and two additional lesson plans are available on the teacher’s resource CD. The Training Lesson Plan is a template designed to help you teach the sections and activities to students who are learning to work in the small-group format of Take Aim. The other two lesson plans are templates to guide you as your students continue working in Take Aim. You can choose either the Teacher Connection Lesson Plan or the Teacher-Directed Lesson Plan, based on the amount of teacher involvement your students require.

Teacher Connection Lesson Plan

The Teacher Connection Lesson Plan is designed for you to use when guiding groups of students who require only some strategic teacher involvement to complete a Take Aim unit. This plan should be used only after the training lessons are completed. The sections of this lesson are grouped so the lesson can be completed in three days.

This lesson plan briefly describes all the activities in a lesson and is a template for all four lessons in a unit. (Textbook page numbers and audio CD track numbers are different for each lesson in a unit, so you must check the unit textbook for page numbers and track numbers.) In this model, you meet with the group to introduce and assign sections. The students work independently and connect with you at specific points to check progress. You direct students when to use the audio CD, work with a group or partner, or work independently.

Teacher-Directed Lesson Plan

The Teacher-Directed Lesson Plan is designed for you to use when teaching groups of students who need intensive teacher instruction to complete a Take Aim unit. This plan should be used only after the training lessons are completed. The sections of this lesson are grouped so the lesson can be completed in three days.

This lesson plan briefly describes all of the activities in a lesson and is a template for all four lessons in a unit. (Textbook page numbers and audio CD track numbers are different for each lesson in a unit, so you must check the unit textbook for page numbers and track numbers.) In this model, you work through each section with the group, and students read along with you or the audio CD. You may direct students to use the audio CD, to work with a partner, or to work independently for some activities.

The lesson plans are located in the Lesson Plans file on the teacher’s resource CD.