Teacher's Guide

Teacher's Guide: Test Prep CASAS Reading STEPS Level C, Forms 625R & 626R

This guide outlines an implementation plan to help instructors deliver learner-centered instruction using the Reading STEPS Level C textbook. By following research-based pedagogical frameworks that integrate real-world academic and life skills, this guide ensures students are prepared for CASAS Reading STEPS Level C, Forms 625R and 626R, as well as the demands of professional and community life in the U.S.

PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES AND FRAMEWORKS

The instructional strategies in this guide are built upon three core frameworks designed to increase vocabulary, improve reading skills, 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 with feedback 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, such as evaluation and creation, aligning with the cognitive demands of the Level C assessment.

In a nutshell, this teacher's guide offers clear, evidence-based guidance to support your teaching with the CASAS Reading STEPS level C textbook. It outlines strategies for providing explicit instruction that help students develop their reading comprehension skills and expand their vocabulary. 

The CBL Team