Text Complexity

Text ComplexityThe What, the Why, and the HowCalifornia Reading AssociationOctober 23, 2015

This presentation can be found on SlideShare athttp://www.slideshare.net/ebowers44/text-complexity-cra-102315

Approaches to Reading Instruction: A quick history lesson

1500s1800sMcGuffey Third Reader, Junior High LevelA leveled readerText Complexity- A quick history lesson1930s Dick and JaneA basal reader- whole word reading approach

Basal Readers 1960s-70sAdapted text

1980s-90s Whole LanguageChild derives the textText Complexity- A quick history lesson

1990s-2000s Guided Reading 2000s-2013 Anthologys and Scripted Instruction

Common Core ImplementationExemplar TextsType of instruction?Why is Text Complexity Important?

The Common Core brings a renewed focus on Text-ComplexityCommon Core and Fundamental ShiftsBalanced Literary and Informational TextStaircase of Text ComplexityText-Based AnswersWrite from SourcesBuild Academic VocabularyBuild Knowledge in the Disciplines

CCSS Standard 10-Text Complexity

What might make this difficult? What is it?Text Complexity

Elements of Text Complexity

Quantitative Elements of TextThe quantitative element of text complexity refers to factors of text that are easier for a computer to assess;

word length or frequency, sentence length, and text cohesion.

How do most readability formulas determine the quantitative aspect of text?Number of syllables in wordsNumber of words in sentences

The dog ran home.The frisky puppy scampered toward the moss covered colonial mansion.

Quantitative Elements of TextHow to Check Readability in WordWhat would you predict is the readability (Flesch-Kincaid) level of this passage?

14.2

How to Determine the Readability Level of this PassageWays to calculate the Quantitative elementOther Methods:Scholastic- you can use book wizardhttp://www.scholastic.com/teachers/Lexile- you can use the lexile analyzerhttp://www.lexile.com/analyzer/

Flesch-Kincaid:In Word 2010, click on FileClick on OptionsClick on ProofingSelect, show readability statistics

Common Core Lexile Levels

Qualitative Elements of TextWhat are other reasons this text might be considered difficult?

The qualitative element of text refers to factors best assessed by a human;

Levels of meaning (literary) or purpose (informational)- surface or deeper levelsStructure- simple vs complex; i.e., sequential order vs flashbacks; simple graphics vs complexLanguage conventionality and clarity- simple vs complex; conversational language vs figurativeQualitative Elements of TextQualitative Elements continuedVisual device demands- types of graphics used

And knowledge demands- does the reader have the background experiences to relate to the text?

This is a Grade 9-10 exemplar from the CCSS.

How would you assess it qualitatively?

Levels of meaning or purpose,Structure,Language conventionality and clarity,Visual device demands,And knowledge demands

Qualitative Elements of TextReader/Task ConsiderationsReader considerations:Cognitive capabilities- analytical ability, inferencing, visualizationMotivation- purpose, interest, self-efficacyKnowledge- vocabulary and topic, comprehension strategiesExperiences

Reader/Task Considerations continuedTask considerations:The readers purposeSkimmingStudyingThe intended outcomeIncrease in knowledgeA solution to some real-world problem (drivers test)Engagement with the text (reading for pleasure)Things to Consider

Heibert, E. (2013). Supporting students movement up the staircase of text complexity. The Reading Teacher, 66(6).Types of Texts? Genres?Appendix A & B of the CCSShttp://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/introduction/how-to-read-the-standards

Media Text:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/relativity-and-the-cosmos.html

LiteratureInformational TextStoriesDramasPoetryLiterary Nonfiction and Historical, Scientific, and Technical TextsIncludes childrens adventure stories, folktales, legends, fables, fantasy, realistic fiction, and mythIncludes staged dialogue and brief familiar scenesIncludes nursery rhymes and the subgenres of the narrative poem, limerick, and free verse poemIncludes biographies and autobiographies; books about history, social studies, science, and the arts; technical texts, including directions, forms, and information displayed in graphs, charts, or maps; and digital sources on a range of topicsEnglish Language Arts Standards Standard 10: Range, Quality, & Complexity Range of Text Types for K-5Students in K5 apply the Reading standards to the following range of text types, with texts selected from a broad range of cultures and periods.

Grades 6-12Lets use the Three Elements

Volcano

Lets Try it! Well use the 3 elementsVolcano!

Quantitative: Lexile level 750L (450-790 is Grade 2-3)

Quantitative Elements first:word length or frequency, sentence length, and text cohesion.

Evaluating text using the three elements of text complexityVolcano!Purpose- informational- straight forward messageStructure- common informational text structure; easy to read graphic, supplemental to understandingLanguage- moderate with regard to vocab; clear Visual device- maps (depends on student and grade)Knowledge demands- moderate

Qualitative Elements second:Levels of meaning or purpose,Structure,Language conventionality and clarity,Visual device demands,And knowledge demandsEvaluating text using the three elements of text complexityVolcano!Appropriate for a reader who can comprehend explicit grade 3 text.Needs a student who is interested in informational text, particularly science and other peoples.Reader needs some knowledge of maps, the topic and comprehension strategies (sequential order, cause and effect).The reader would needs some background knowledge of earthquakes, people from other landsReader Elements third:Cognitive capabilitiesMotivationKnowledgeExperiences

You Teach:Third GradersSome are below grade levelSome are on grade levelSome are language learnersSome are English OnlyA few have been assessed as gifted

Evaluating text using the three elements of text complexityTask Elements third:The readers purposeThe intended outcome

For this book:You would like to use for guided readingYou want to focus on comprehension of informational text, sequencing in particular.Resources for Text Complexity and the CCSSCan be found in iTunes- Common Core State Standards app

On the Ca Dept of Ed website:http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/

The Common Core State Standards website:http://www.corestandards.org/resources