Teacher's Guide and Textbook: Test Prep CASAS Reading STEPS Level B, Forms 623R and 624R

This guide outlines a comprehensive implementation plan to help instructors deliver systematic, learner-centered reading instruction. By following the research-based frameworks in the CASAS Reading STEPS Level B textbook, you can effectively help learners become proficient readers and prepare them for CASAS Reading STEPS assessments.

APPROACHES AND FRAMEWORKS

The instructional strategies in this guide are built on three core frameworks designed to increase vocabulary, improve reading comprehension, and develop critical thinking.

The PDP (Pre, During, Post) Framework

This framework supports the teaching of receptive skills by structuring reading instruction in three stages:

• Pre-Reading: Activate prior knowledge, introduce key vocabulary, and prepare learners for the text.
• During Reading: Students read and respond to questions while the teacher guides their understanding through prompts and support.
• Post-Reading: Extend learning through discussion, personalization, and higher-order thinking activities.

The PPP (Presentation, Practice, Production) Framework

This framework supports structured language learning activities by moving learners through three stages:

• Presentation: The teacher introduces new language and models meaning.
• Practice: Students complete guided and controlled activities with support.
• Production: Students apply language independently through meaningful tasks.

Bloom's Revised Taxonomy: Used across all units, this framework ensures students move from basic recall (Remembering) to higher-order thinking skills like evaluation and creation, aligning with the cognitive demands of the Level B assessment.

In a nutshell, this teacher's guide provides clear guidance, grounded in evidence-based frameworks, to facilitate your teaching. It outlines strategies for providing explicit instruction that help students develop their reading comprehension skills and expand their vocabulary.

The CBL Team