Code Breaker Goal Bank Guide
Structured Literacy Toolkit Grades 4–12+ Intervention
Code Breaker Goal Bank Guide
Measurable, Age-Respectful Phonics & Word Study Objectives for Older Readers
IEP • 504 • MTSS Tier 2/3
Aligned with Science of Reading & Orton-Gillingham
The 4 Pillars of Dignified Intervention for Adolescents
1. Adult Terms
Use linguistic terminology (split digraph, schwa, morpheme), never childish labels.
2. Polysyllabic Early
Embed target patterns into 2-to-4 syllable academic words immediately (e.g., distract, substance).
3. Meaning First
Couple phonology with morphology: roots, prefixes, and suffixes build vocabulary alongside decoding.
4. Fast Success
Use explicit diagnostic mastery criteria (90%+ accuracy over 3 probes) to exit skills rapidly.
SMART Goal Formula:
[Timeframe] + [Condition / Context] + [Target Skill] + [Accuracy / Criterion] + [Tool]
1 Domain 1: Complex Closed Syllables & Advanced Consonant Clusters
Prerequisite for multisyllabic decoding fluency
Annual Goal 1.1
Closed Syllable Multisyllabic Decoding
Criterion: 90% in 4 of 5 probes
Goal Statement: By [Date], when presented with a list of 20 unfamiliar, grade-level multisyllabic words containing closed syllables with 3-letter blends and complex clusters (e.g., splendid, construct, district, abstract), the student will decode with at least 90% accuracy across 3 consecutive bi-weekly probes as measured by curriculum-based measurement (CBM).
Obj 1.1A • Isolated Clusters: Decode single-syllable CCVCC/CCCVC words with initial & final blends (sprint, strand, crisp) at 95% accuracy.
Obj 1.1B • Syllable Division: Accurately identify and segment compound/closed syllables (VC/CV) in 2-syllable words with 90% accuracy.
Obj 1.1C • Connected Text: Accurately read complex closed-syllable words embedded in informational passages at 95% word accuracy.
Annual Goal 1.2
Advanced Consonant Digraphs & Trigraphs in Academic Text
Criterion: 90% accuracy / 40+ WCPM
Goal Statement: By [Date], given a set of 25 secondary academic vocabulary words containing digraphs and trigraphs (ch/sh/th/wh/ph/tch/dge/kn/wr, e.g., knowledge, synthesis, chronic, cartridge), the student will accurately pronounce and orthographically map each word with 90% accuracy across 4 consecutive weekly trials.
Obj 1.2A • Greek Digraphs: Decode words featuring Greek digraphs ph (/f/) and ch (/k/) (e.g., graphic, chemical) with 90% accuracy.
Obj 1.2B • Silent-Letter Combinations: Recognize and decode words with gn, kn, wr, mb (e.g., design, knight, wrench, limb) with 95% accuracy.
Obj 1.2C • Spelling / Encoding: Correctly apply orthographic rules (-tch after short vowel, -ch after consonant/vowel team) with 85% accuracy.
Section 1 of 3: Foundational Architecture & Closed Syllable Systems Code Breaker Goal Bank • Page 1
Core Vowel Systems
Syllable Division, VCe, Vowel Teams & R-Controlled Patterns
Domains 2, 3 & 4
2 Domain 2: Syllable Division & Vowel-Consonant-e (VCe) Patterns
Structural Word Analysis
Annual Goal 2.1
VCe and Syllable Juncture Flexibility
90% accuracy over 3 probes
Goal Statement: By [Date], when presented with 20 multisyllabic words with VCe patterns and open syllables across major syllable division junctures (VC/CV, V/CV, VC/V, -CLe; e.g., isolate, compensate, contribute, replicate), the student will accurately code, segment, and read each word with 90% accuracy across 3 consecutive data collection points.
Obj 2.1A • Syllable Coding: Identify vowel graphemes and accurately mark syllable boundaries on 15 multisyllabic words with 90% accuracy.
Obj 2.1B • Open vs. Closed: Distinguish long open vowels from short closed vowels in first syllables (e.g., re-act vs. rec-ord) with 85% accuracy.
Obj 2.1C • VCe Exceptions: Accurately read unstressed secondary suffixes with final -e (e.g., -ive in native, -ate in climate) with 90% accuracy.
3 Domain 3: Advanced Vowel Teams & Diphthongs
High-Utility Phonograms
Annual Goal 3.1
Vowel Digraphs, Diphthongs & Variant Vowels in Content Text
92% accuracy / 3 trials
Goal Statement: By [Date], given a list of 25 polysyllabic words containing vowel teams (ai/ay, ee/ea, oa/oe/ow, oi/oy, ou/ow, au/aw, ew/oo, e.g., maintain, exploit, approach, boundary, flaw), the student will read the target words in isolation and within grade-level informational sentences with at least 92% accuracy across 3 consecutive assessments.
Obj 3.1A • Consistent Teams: Read 2-syllable words containing reliable vowel teams (ai, ay, ee, oa, oi, oy) with 95% accuracy.
Obj 3.1B • Variant Vowels: Correctly flex variable vowel sounds (e.g., ea in threat vs. season, ow in growth vs. plow) with 85% accuracy.
Obj 3.1C • Orthographic Spelling: Correctly spell words selecting standard position-based vowel teams (oi medial vs. oy final) with 85% accuracy.
4 Domain 4: R-Controlled Vowel Systems (Vowel-r Syllables)
Polysyllabic Inflection
Annual Goal 4.1
R-Controlled Polysyllabic Decoding & Schwa Differentiation
90% accuracy in running text
Goal Statement: By [Date], when presented with 20 grade-level words containing single and multiple r-controlled syllables (ar, er, ir, or, ur, air, ear, our, e.g., standard, performer, circular, internal, declare), the student will decode the words with 90% accuracy and demonstrate automaticity at a rate of ≥ 45 correct words per minute.
Obj 4.1A • Common Vowel-r: Accurately read words with stressed ar, or, er, ir, ur syllables in isolation with 95% accuracy.
Obj 4.1B • Unstressed R-Controlled: Accurately decode unstressed r-syllables with schwa + r (e.g., doctor, grammar, calendar) with 85% accuracy.
Obj 4.1C • Complex R-Teams: Read multisyllabic words with advanced r-teams (ear in research, our in journey) with 90% accuracy.
Section 2 of 3: Syllable Architecture & Vowel Pattern Objectives Code Breaker Goal Bank • Page 2
Morphology & Implementation
Multisyllabic Morphology, Dignified Language & Progress Monitoring
Domain 5 + Protocol
5 Domain 5: Multisyllabic Morphology & Latin/Greek Roots
Secondary Bridge
Annual Goal 5.1
Structural Morphological Decomposition & Academic Vocabulary
90% accuracy over 3 probes
Goal Statement: By [Date], when presented with 20 complex academic words containing common prefixes, Latin/Greek combining forms, and derivational suffixes (e.g., inter-rupt-ion, bio-degrad-able, un-predict-able), the student will decompose the words into constituent morphemes, pronounce each word accurately, and state its core meaning with 90% accuracy across 3 consecutive data checks.
Obj 5.1A • Affix Recognition: Identify and pronounce 30 high-frequency prefixes & suffixes (dis-, trans-, -ology, -tion) with 95% automaticity.
Obj 5.1B • Root Parsing: Isolate Latin/Greek roots (tract, spect, port, scrib/script) to decode 15 unfamiliar words with 90% accuracy.
Obj 5.1C • Orthographic Rules: Apply suffix addition rules (doubling rule, dropping silent-e, y to i) in spelling with 85% accuracy.
Dignified Language Protocol: Secondary Phonics Reframing
Eliminates infantilization & builds self-efficacy
| Childish Phrasing (Avoid) | Respectful Terminology (Use) | Pedagogical / Cognitive Rationale |
|---|
| "Magic e" / "Sneaky e" | Silent-e marker / Split digraph | Prepares students for linguistics; frames letter as an orthographic marker. |
| "Sounding it out" | Phoneme-grapheme mapping | Focuses on intentional code-breaking rather than trial-and-error guessing. |
| "Clapping syllables" | Syllable juncture analysis | Older students analyze vowel nuclei and division rules instead of physical clapping. |
| "Baby word lists" (cat, pig) | Phonetic target matrices | Uses adult concepts (e.g., sub-compact, transcript) with the exact same patterns. |
Progress Monitoring & Mastery Protocol
Cadence & Probe Type
Administer bi-weekly 20-item probes with 10 real academic words + 10 pseudowords (to eliminate sight memorization).
Mastery Standard
Skill mastery achieved at ≥ 90% accuracy across 3 consecutive data points, paired with ≥ 40 WCPM.
Decision Rule
If after 4 consecutive probes progress remains below the aimline, adjust intensity (group size, frequency, or modality).
Sample Tracking Entry: Baseline: 42% Acc / 18 WCPM • Mid-Cycle Probe: 76% Acc / 32 WCPM • Goal Target: 90% Acc / 45 WCPM
Section 3 of 3: Morphology, Dignified Terminology & Monitoring Code Breaker Goal Bank • Page 3