1. 11/8/2013 Monroe 2 BOCES Dettman, Giuliano, O'Meara, Witter 1 How We Chose the Texts for This Lesson…

2. 11/8/2013 Monroe 2 BOCES Dettman, Giuliano, O'Meara, Witter 2 Examples of Readability Formulas Frys Flesh-Kincaid But also consider…

3. 3 Book and Print Features Length Print Layout Illustrations Graphic Features Organizational Aids Sentence Complexity Length Embedded Clauses Punctuation Text Structure Fiction: narrative; literary devices such as flashbacks. Nonfiction: compare/contrast; cause/effect; description; temporal sequence; problem/ solution. Vocabulary Multi-syllabic words Choice of words related to content Content Topics Organization Special Graphic Features Themes and Ideas Interest Sophistication Maturity Language and Literacy Features Literary Language Figurative Language Dialogue Text Difficulty Taken from Guiding Readers and Writers Fountas and Pinnell, Figure 14-2, pg. 227

4. 11/8/2013 Monroe 2 BOCES Dettman, Giuliano, O'Meara, Witter 4 Pros and Cons of Readability Formulas Objective Easy to use (some!) Larger range of levels (usually Grade 1-12) Widely-tested and accepted Easy to understand Doesnt take into account text support factors Doesnt account for motivation Are only estimates! Doesnt include small gradations at the lower level

5. 11/8/2013 Monroe 2 BOCES Dettman, Giuliano, O'Meara, Witter 5 What do I use? Use what information you have, but consider the limitations Using a combination (readability and text features) is best Your knowledge of your students is your best guide!