The Step Up to the TAKS Instructional Reading Book strengthens concept areas in basic instruction and tutorials. Each reading concept is isolated for instruction using the lesson cycle: Teaching Model, Guided Practice, and Independent Practice.

By isolating each concept in short passages, the critical thinking process of gathering information to formulate answers can be taught in a focused manner for initial instruction or tutorials. Sections on summarization, drawing conclusions, cause and effect, and predicting outcomes are all addressed in isolation.