Take Aim Small-Group Format: Steps for each story

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1. Read the Target Words
   Students read each target word along with the audio CD, with another person, or independently. This step introduces students to the six target words taught in the lesson.
2. Read the Story
   Students read the story along with the audio CD, with another person, or independently. This step helps students learn what the story is about. It also helps the students learn new words and master others as well as learn proper pronunciation, expression, and phrasing.
3. Read to Understand Target Words (and Read to Understand More Target Words)
   Students read the story two more times with the audio CD, with another person, or independently. The lesson’s target words are defined immediately after they appear in the story. This step helps students gain an understanding of the target words in context.
4. Use Context Clues
   Students figure out the meaning of a target word through a mini-lesson on how to use context clues. Figuring out the meanings of unknown words from context is a critical strategy that students need to use when reading independently.
5. Read to Master
   Students practice reading the story without audio support until they can read it well. Reading the story several times helps students deepen their understanding of the target words while building fluency and confidence.
6. Answer the Comprehension Questions
   Students answer multiple-choice questions about the story and record their answers. Responding to the text holds the student accountable for meaning, develops the ability to answer many types of questions, and provides information about how well the reader comprehends the story
7. Sketch Target Words
   Students read the definition for each target word along with the audio CD, with another person, or independently. Then students sketch a quick picture or write a phrase that shows the word’s meaning or shows something they associate with the word. Students do this activity in order to clarify the meanings of target words and tie their understandings of these words to their personal experiences.
8. Clarify Target Words
   Students answer multiple-choice vocabulary questions about each of the target words. Whenever possible, these questions go beyond direct definitions of the target words. This step requires students to apply their knowledge of each target word’s meaning in a new context and provides teachers with information about how well students understand the meanings of these words.
9. Study Word Parts
   Students read the lesson along with the audio CD, with another person, or independently to learn a root or affix. Then students answer four multiple-choice questions based on that word part. This step teaches students about word parts (prefixes, suffixes, or roots) and how these word parts provide clues about a word’s meaning.

Additional Activities 

Students fill in hink pinks to self-correct their answers to the questions.  They can also work with flashcards and on crossword puzzles, which help students master the meanings of the target words.

After students complete these steps for all four lessons in the unit, the students can work through the unit’s culminating activities and take an end-of-unit test.