Text Complexity Analysis of

Earth Smart_________________(title)
By Time For Kids________________ (author)
Recommended Complexity Band: __Moderately Complex___
Text Description

Vocabulary: Very Complex- Somewhat complex academic vocabulary words that students
may be unfamiliar with (donate, unaware, members, contribute, environment, green school,
etc) that may need visuals, repetition, or other scaffolding.
Sentence Structure: Moderately Complex- Carries simple sentences with simple subject and
verb agreements e.g., Green schools use less energy than regular schools.
Knowledge Demands: (Briefly describe the knowledge demands the text requires of
students.)

Briefly describe the text: The nonfiction article tells about Goodwillie Environmental School
in Ada,Michigan.Goodwillie is a green school, which means it is run in a way to help the Earth.
The school uses solar panels to save energy, and as many things as possible are made out of
recycled material. The students learn about nature and spend part of everyday outside. Their
raise chickens and sell their eggs. They work with big projects, too. Third graders are studying
the weather cycle to find out what kind of weather helps or hurts plants.

Subject Matter Knowledge: Moderately Complex-Common practical knowledge but may have
abstract ideas.

Qualitative Measures

Complexity Band Level (provide range): Moderately Complex-End of second grade

beginning of third grade.

Meaning/Purpose: (Briefly explain the levels of meaning (Literary Text) or purpose

(Informational text)

Lexile or Other Quantitative Measure of the Text: 730L

Meaning: Moderately Complex- theres more than one main idea stated. Earth conservation
and green schools.
Text Structure: (Briefly describe the structure, organization, and other features of the text)
Organization of Main Idea: Very Complex- it has multiple main idea and details about different
ways to conserve.
Text Features: Moderately Complex- it has many non-fiction features that might enhance the
readers understanding of the text.
Use of Graphics: Moderately Complex- It has many photographs that will supplement to
understand the text.
Language Features: (Briefly describe the conventions and clarity of the language used in the
text, including the complexity of the vocabulary and sentence structures.)
Conventionality: Moderately Complex- The non-fiction article carries mostly simple sentences
that are easy to read and understand with some academic vocabulary.

Intertextuality: Slightly Complex- no references or outside theories provided.

Quantitative Measure

Considerations for Reader and Task

Below are factors to consider with respect to the reader and task (See attached guiding
questions to assist each teacher in filling out this section for his or her own class):
Potential Challenges this Text Poses:
-Vocabulary is very subject specific. -Building of academic content-based knowledge.
-Text Structure- non-fiction features (subheadings, photographs, captions)
-Figurative language may be hard to access without scaffolds from teacher such as Idioms.
Major Instructional Areas of Focus (3-4 CCS Standards) for this Text:
RI 2: Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support
the main idea.
Differentiation/Supports for Students
Listen to the selection once read by the teacher/audio; Pre-teach the content base vocabulary

Created by: Aldana, Irma; Martin, Amparo, Martinez, Ana; Ericka Morales

Reviewed by:

Recommended Placemat: Briefly explain the recommended placement of the text in a

particular grade band.

Created by: Aldana, Irma; Martin, Amparo, Martinez, Ana; Ericka Morales

The recommended placemat level is end of 2nd grade

beginning of 3rd grade...

Reviewed by: