Language Targets Probe Packet
Speech-Language Therapy · Progress Monitoring
Language Targets: Probe 1
Grade 8 Benchmark Session Probe A
Student:
Date:
Clinician:
Objective 1: Determine unfamiliar/multiple-meaning words using context clues & use correctly.
Target: 4/5 Trials
Read each passage. Use surrounding context clues to infer the meaning of the bold target word. Write the definition in your own words, then compose an original sentence that demonstrates the word's meaning.
1. Unlike his boisterous and talkative brother who commanded every conversation, Julian remained reticent during the student council debate, observing quietly and speaking only when directly asked.
Trial 1
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
2. Without physical evidence or witness testimony, the detective refused to speculate on how the artifact vanished, warning that guessing without facts would mislead the entire team.
Trial 2
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
3. The hiker took three cautious steps across the precarious ledge of loose shale; one misstep would cause her to tumble down the steep, rocky ravine.
Trial 3
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
4. To substantiate her thesis that microplastics were contaminating the bay, Maya presented lab water samples, statistical charts, and microscopic photographs.
Trial 4
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
5. Despite losing power for ten days after the severe ice storm, the town proved remarkably resilient, promptly organizing food pantries and clearing roadways together.
Trial 5
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
Clinician Scoring:
T1: □ Def □ Sent T2: □ Def □ Sent T3: □ Def □ Sent T4: □ Def □ Sent T5: □ Def □ Sent
Total: ___ / 5 (Mastery ≥ 4/5)
Speech-Language Therapy · Progress Monitoring
Language Targets: Probe 1
Grade 8 Benchmark Session Probe A
Student:
Date:
Clinician:
Objective 2: Answer inferential "How" and "Why" questions with at least one supporting text detail.
Target: 4/5 Trials
Passage 1: The Doomsday Vault on the Edge of the World
8th Grade Informational
Deep inside a sandstone mountain on the remote Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, 800 miles from the North Pole, stands the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Often called the "Doomsday Vault," this fortress preserves duplicate copies of over one million crop varieties from across the globe. Built 400 feet into the permafrost, the facility withstands catastrophic earthquakes, rising sea levels, and armed conflicts. The seeds are stored at a constant minus 18 degrees Celsius in vacuum-sealed packets, preserving their viability for centuries.
The vault serves as an agricultural insurance policy rather than a working seed bank. Traditional seed banks in Syria, Iraq, and the Philippines have suffered severe damage from civil warfare and typhoons. When Aleppo's central seed bank was destroyed in 2015, researchers withdrew backup samples from Svalbard to restart their drought-resistant wheat breeding program in Lebanon, demonstrating why nations safeguard biological heritage far beyond their own borders.
1. (Why) Why did the engineers choose an Arctic island 800 miles from the North Pole instead of a more accessible mainland city?
Trial 1
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
2. (How) How does natural permafrost provide security if the vault's mechanical cooling systems were to fail?
Trial 2
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
3. (Why) Why is relying solely on local national seed banks a dangerous risk for human food security?
Trial 3
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
4. (How) How did the 2015 Syrian crisis demonstrate the vault's practical value rather than just theoretical value?
Trial 4
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
5. (Why) Why do scientists describe the Svalbard facility as an "insurance policy" rather than an active agricultural farm?
Trial 5
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
Clinician Scoring:
T1: □ Inf □ Evid T2: □ Inf □ Evid T3: □ Inf □ Evid T4: □ Inf □ Evid T5: □ Inf □ Evid
Total: ___ / 5 (Mastery ≥ 4/5)
Speech-Language Therapy · Progress Monitoring
Language Targets: Probe 2
Grade 8 Benchmark Session Probe B
Student:
Date:
Clinician:
Objective 1: Determine unfamiliar/multiple-meaning words using context clues & use correctly.
Target: 4/5 Trials
Read each passage. Use surrounding context clues to infer the meaning of the bold target word. Write the definition in your own words, then compose an original sentence that demonstrates the word's meaning.
1. The veteran aerospace engineer inspected the fuel valve with meticulous precision, checking each microscopic seal three separate times to prevent any catastrophic leak.
Trial 1
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
2. The sudden desert rainstorm brought an ephemeral beauty; wild poppies bloomed in vibrant purple across the sand, only to wither and vanish before sunset.
Trial 2
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
3. In chemistry lab, adding cool water helped temper the violent bubbling reaction, calming the boiling acid until it reached a safe room temperature.
Trial 3
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
4. Facing a steep two-thousand-foot granite cliff in sub-zero winds, the climber knew she confronted a formidable challenge that had defeated dozens of seasoned mountaineers.
Trial 4
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
5. While several crew members panicked during the gale-force storm, the captain remained dauntless, steering firmly toward the harbor without showing a trace of fear or doubt.
Trial 5
Context Clue Meaning:
Original Sentence:
Clinician Scoring:
T1: □ Def □ Sent T2: □ Def □ Sent T3: □ Def □ Sent T4: □ Def □ Sent T5: □ Def □ Sent
Total: ___ / 5 (Mastery ≥ 4/5)
Speech-Language Therapy · Progress Monitoring
Language Targets: Probe 2
Grade 8 Benchmark Session Probe B
Student:
Date:
Clinician:
Objective 2: Answer inferential "How" and "Why" questions with at least one supporting text detail.
Target: 4/5 Trials
Passage 2: The Wood Wide Web: Underground Forest Networks
8th Grade Science Informational
For decades, botanists viewed forests as ruthless battlegrounds where individual trees aggressively competed for sunlight, water, and soil minerals. However, pioneering research by forest ecologist Dr. Suzanne Simard revealed a vastly different reality. Beneath the forest floor lies an intricate fungal system known as the mycorrhizal network. Microscopic fungal threads, or hyphae, weave through tree root systems, linking completely different species—such as Douglas firs and paper birches—into a cooperative subterranean community.
Through this subterranean highway, mature "hub trees" transfer life-saving sugars and nitrogen to shaded saplings that cannot yet generate enough food through photosynthesis. Furthermore, when an insect infestation strikes an older tree, it transmits chemical warning pulses through the fungal network. Neighboring trees detect these signals and immediately synthesize defensive tannins and bitter compounds before the pests ever reach their bark, transforming our understanding of forest survival.
1. (Why) Why would mature "hub trees" share their precious carbon sugars with young saplings rather than keeping all energy for themselves?
Trial 1
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
2. (How) How does clear-cutting large, mature hub trees threaten the health of the entire surrounding forest?
Trial 2
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
3. (Why) Why do fungi partner with trees in this network instead of acting purely as independent organisms?
Trial 3
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
4. (How) How does chemical signaling give neighboring trees an evolutionary advantage over isolated trees?
Trial 4
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
5. (Why) Why did Dr. Simard's discoveries challenge the traditional Darwinian view of forests as strictly competitive environments?
Trial 5
Inference:
Supporting Text Detail:
Clinician Scoring:
T1: □ Inf □ Evid T2: □ Inf □ Evid T3: □ Inf □ Evid T4: □ Inf □ Evid T5: □ Inf □ Evid
Total: ___ / 5 (Mastery ≥ 4/5)
Probe Scoring Clinician Guide
SLP Clinical Administration Guide
Progress Monitoring Scoring Guide
Grade 8 Speech & Language Evaluation Protocols
Standardized administration procedures and scoring criteria for measuring context clue vocabulary deduction and inferential text comprehension.
Objective 1 Rubric: Context Clues & Sentence Application
Trial Goal: 4/5 Opportunities (80%)
Each trial is evaluated across two distinct clinical components. Both components must be met for the trial to count as successful.
Component A: Contextual Meaning (1 pt)
Student isolates accurate semantic features using text clues (contrast, cause/effect, example, restatement). A dictionary definition is not required; conceptual precision is required.
Component B: Original Sentence Use (1 pt)
Student writes a syntactically and semantically intact original sentence illustrating the target word. Sentences with insufficient context (e.g., "He was reticent.") receive 0 points.
Objective 2 Rubric: Inferential How/Why & Textual Evidence
Trial Goal: 4/5 Opportunities (80%)
Evaluates logical reasoning beyond surface text and the student's ability to cite specific textual details to substantiate their claim.
Component A: Inferential Reasoning (1 pt)
Student explains the implicit how (mechanism/process) or why (motive/rationale/consequence) that is logically deduced from the text rather than directly stated.
Component B: Textual Supporting Detail (1 pt)
Student quotes or precisely paraphrases at least one relevant, verifiable factual detail from the passage that grounds the inference in objective evidence.
Standardized Cueing & Prompting Hierarchy
Level 0: Independent
No cues provided. Full credit (scored as standard mastery data).
Level 1: Minimal Cue
General prompt: "Reread the surrounding sentences" or "What clue words help?"
Level 2: Moderate Cue
Specific strategy cue: highlights signal words (e.g., "Notice the word 'unlike'").
Level 3: Maximal Cue
Forced-choice options or direct modeling. Trial marked as non-mastered for baseline.
Context Clue Types Assessed in Probes
Contrast/Antonym: Signal words like unlike, despite, while (Items 1.1, 2.5).
Cause/Effect: Consequences explaining state (Items 1.3, 2.3).
Example/Illustration: Concrete proof or behaviors (Items 1.4, 2.2).
IDEA Compliance · Objective Mastery Threshold: 80% (4/5 trials across 2 consecutive sessions) Page 1 of 2
SLP Clinical Administration Guide
Answer Keys & Progress Log
Probes 1 & 2 Scoring Key & Log
Probe 1 Answer Key & Acceptable Responses
Part A: Context Clues Vocabulary
- 1. Reticent: Reserved, quiet, hesitant to talk (Clue: "unlike his boisterous... brother").
- 2. Speculate: Form theories without firm evidence; guess (Clue: "without physical evidence").
- 3. Precarious: Dangerously unstable or insecure (Clue: "one misstep... tumble down").
- 4. Substantiate: Prove with evidence; verify (Clue: "presented lab water samples, charts").
- 5. Resilient: Able to recover quickly from hardship (Clue: "despite losing power... promptly organizing").
Part B: Inferential Reasoning & Evidence
- 1. (Why Arctic): Remote isolation limits risk of human conflict/theft; cold reduces cooling costs. (Evid: "800 miles from North Pole / withstands armed conflicts").
- 2. (How Permafrost): Keeps seeds naturally frozen below 0°C even without power. (Evid: "built 400 feet into the permafrost").
- 3. (Why Local Banks Risky): Vulnerable to wars, typhoons, power loss. (Evid: "seed banks in Syria, Iraq, Philippines suffered severe damage").
- 4. (How 2015 Proved Value): Replaced destroyed Aleppo seeds to restart crops. (Evid: "withdrew backup samples from Svalbard to restart... breeding").
- 5. (Why 'Insurance'): Only used as emergency backup, not daily planting. (Evid: "serves as an agricultural insurance policy rather than working bank").
Probe 2 Answer Key & Acceptable Responses
Part A: Context Clues Vocabulary
- 1. Meticulous: Showing extreme care and attention to detail (Clue: "checking each microscopic seal three separate times").
- 2. Ephemeral: Lasting for a very brief time; fleeting (Clue: "bloomed... only to wither and vanish before sunset").
- 3. Temper: To soften, moderate, or dilute intensity (Clue: "calming the boiling acid until safe room temperature").
- 4. Formidable: Inspiring fear or respect through size or power (Clue: "defeated dozens of seasoned mountaineers").
- 5. Dauntless: Showing fearlessness and determination (Clue: "while crew panicked... without showing a trace of fear").
Part B: Inferential Reasoning & Evidence
- 1. (Why Hub Trees Share): Stronger forest ecosystem benefits all trees; ensures canopy continuity. (Evid: "transfer life-saving sugars... to shaded saplings").
- 2. (How Clear-Cutting Destroys): Cuts off nutrient conduit and early warning communication. (Evid: "fungal threads weave through root systems linking species").
- 3. (Why Fungi Partner): Fungi receive carbon sugars from trees in exchange for minerals. (Evid: "linking completely different species into cooperative community").
- 4. (How Signaling Helps): Allows pre-activation of defense chemicals before attack. (Evid: "synthesize defensive tannins... before pests reach bark").
- 5. (Why Challenged Darwin): Shows survival relies on cooperation, not just violent rivalry. (Evid: "viewed forests as ruthless battlegrounds... revealed vast different reality").
Longitudinal Session Data Log (IEP Reporting)
Student Name: _______________________
| Date |
Probe |
Obj 1 (Words) |
Obj 2 (Infer) |
Prompt Lvl |
Goal Met? |
Clinician Notes & Next Instructional Steps |
| __/__/20__ |
Probe 1 |
___ / 5 (%) |
___ / 5 (%) |
Ind / Min / Mod |
□ Y □ N |
|
| __/__/20__ |
Probe 2 |
___ / 5 (%) |
___ / 5 (%) |
Ind / Min / Mod |
□ Y □ N |
|
| __/__/20__ |
Probe 1 (R) |
___ / 5 (%) |
___ / 5 (%) |
Ind / Min / Mod |
□ Y □ N |
|
| __/__/20__ |
Probe 2 (R) |
___ / 5 (%) |
___ / 5 (%) |
Ind / Min / Mod |
□ Y □ N |
|
Progress Monitoring Protocol · Document for IEP Triennial & Annual Review Files Page 2 of 2
