Computer activities and games teach word usage. Novels are used for oral reading to enhance fluency. The goal is to increase students' knowledge of word meanings in order to improve their comprehension. They learn 10 new words each week. In-class instruction includes discussing definitions and how to use words in sentences, reading informational texts that include the target words and concepts, and completing writing assignments that promote independent vocabulary acquisition.
Explorations is for students reading above the eighth-grade level.
Its purpose is to promote students' ability to integrate information into a text, in both reading and writing. Besides minilessons in study skills, students are taught how to answer short-answer and essay questions. Each student is required to accumulate a target point amount to complete the course. The reading program requires specialized teacher preparation. Teachers receive two to four days of training in the goals, materials, and activities of the four courses.