There are there components of measuring text complexity: quantitative, qualitative, and reader and task considerations. Quantitative measures take formulas, word repetition, sentence length, and syntax into consideration to determine readability. Using quantitative measures are not always accurate. Teaches must take into consideration the level and also the content within the book. A book may be at a child's level, but contain subjects not suitable for their age. Qualitative measures use four areas in determining complexity: levels of meaning, text structure, language conventionality/clarification, and knowledge demand. There are many resources of determining qualitative measures in the book. Another important aspect for determining text complexity is considering the reader and task. This includes student motivation, stamina, verbal reasoning, general reading ability, English proficiency, and prior knowledge. When considering text complexity teachers must also remember to have student "deliberately practice." If never given the opportunity to practice, their text complexity will never have the opportunity improve. Feedback is essential when practicing. Students need to know if they've met goals and task. Feedback is a simple way to build intrinsic motivation.
Disciplinary text seem to be an area of difficulty for students. It is important for teachers to teach comprehension strategies and instructional strategies. Yet there is a difference between the two. In this chapter the author explains there is a difference between the two strategies. Reading strategies need to be explicitly taught. Reading strategies are taught through instructional strategies. Teaching comprehension can be done through several models: DIME, KWHHL, RAP, and SRSD. Teachers can also use word maps, paragraph frames, and reciprocal teaching. Online text is a great way to help with comprehension. Students can find word meaning in certain programs. Text can lead to other text to help with understanding. Yet, the sheer volume of information on the net can be overwhelming. Rich classroom discussions are helpful with students in create meaning.
Response:
Text to Text
These articles over text complexity seem to fit with the last few weeks of reading. Text complexity is yet another component of reading. Just like comprehension, it's equally as important. When designing lessons teachers need to consider text complexity so that it pushes children and helps them grow. If text is too easy or hard it can effect children's progress.
Text to Self
This weeks reading was a good reminder of helping students pick books on their level. The section on determining text complexity is a good reference. I thought it had several helpful tables and resources that will be helpful when determining students reading level. Keeping student interest in mind is vital, yet you can't always let me them pick the books they want. It's good to help guide them. I think working together to pick out books would help motivation and engagement.
Text to Word
Teaching students how to read different text is important, not only for school, but for life. Students will encounter a plethora of different text types in their lifetime. Reading different text also helps in developing a love for reading. When students are exposed to many genres and levels of reading, it prepares them for their future.
Questions
Text to Text
These articles over text complexity seem to fit with the last few weeks of reading. Text complexity is yet another component of reading. Just like comprehension, it's equally as important. When designing lessons teachers need to consider text complexity so that it pushes children and helps them grow. If text is too easy or hard it can effect children's progress.
Text to Self
This weeks reading was a good reminder of helping students pick books on their level. The section on determining text complexity is a good reference. I thought it had several helpful tables and resources that will be helpful when determining students reading level. Keeping student interest in mind is vital, yet you can't always let me them pick the books they want. It's good to help guide them. I think working together to pick out books would help motivation and engagement.
Text to Word
Teaching students how to read different text is important, not only for school, but for life. Students will encounter a plethora of different text types in their lifetime. Reading different text also helps in developing a love for reading. When students are exposed to many genres and levels of reading, it prepares them for their future.
Questions
1. Why is there such a difference in text complexity from elementary to middle school? and middle to high school? I don't understand why it isn't a smooth transition.
Hi Kaitlin!! Thank you for your post! I had the same thought while reading - why aren't students more prepared to encounter the more complex texts during middle school and beyond? What can teachers of young children do to better prepare their students for later years of literacy? I think it has a lot to do with text exposure. Elementary teachers cannot just teach narrative texts. Interaction with informational texts, persuasive texts, poetry, letters, graphs and charts must start early in the elementary years so students will be familiar with them. Narrative texts are fun and students love them, but incorporating other types of texts will help our students grow as readers. I also think middle schoolers will be less daunted with reading if more time is spent with vocabulary instruction. Students have to understand the words they read to gain comprehension of the text.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea!! Hopefully the shift with CCSS (well Oklahoma didn't adopt it, but a lot of districts began shifting years ago bc they thought they would be adopting it) will open up teachers (elementary) that the use of informational text is very important to begin implementing. I did like he CCSS wanted classroom to have 70% nonfiction books. I think this would begin to close the gap. I also think middle school and high school could do a lot of fun activities with picture/ children books. So if everyone redesigned their curriculum to include a little bit more of what they were lacking, the jump from grades would be easier, in my opinion.
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