Text Complexity Analysis of
The Unbreakable Code (title)
by Sara Hoagland (author)
Recommended Complexity Band: 5th – 6th
Text Description
Briefly describe the text: This is a historical fiction where a grandfather allays the fears of his grandson who has to move to a new place with his mom and her new husband. He is sad and reluctant because this means he has to be away from his culture, language and heritage. The grandfather shares an important incident with his grandson, John to make him realize that being away doesn’t have to be a break from the language and the culture that he loves. The Navajo language serves as a very important tool for the grandfather while he was asked to be on a secret mission.
Qualitative Measures
Meaning/Purpose: (Briefly explain the levels of meaning (Literary Text) or purpose (Informational text)
Very complex:
There are two stories being told at the same time: John being very distraught for having to move to Minnesota with his mom and her new husband and the grandfather reliving his life in order to teach John that he must always remember his language and that moving doesn’t have to be a break from his own Navajo language.
Text Structure: (Briefly describe the structure, organization, and other features of the text)
Moderately complex: there are two storylines, time shifts, but the pictures do support the story.
Language Features: Very Complex because there are many similes like river like a silver thread, as warm and familiar as the patterns of one of the Grandfathers Navajo blanket, war-specific words like invasion, boot camp, transmission, codes, and there are many complex and elaborated sentences.
Pg. 372 The river full of late-summer rain looked like a silver thread winding through his grandfather’s land.
Pg. 373. The sounds wove up and down, in and out, as warm and familiar as the patterns of one of the grandmother’s Navajo blanket.
Pg. 375. I felt like a wild horse with the lasso finally off its neck.
Pg. 380. Suddenly Grandfather’s face looked creased and battered as the canyon walls behind him.
Pg.382. My belief was my shield
Knowledge Demands: (Briefly describe the knowledge demands the text requires of students.)
Very complex because it expects the readers to know of boot camps, invasions, corridors, mission etc. and it expects students to know what it takes to be on a secret mission in the Marines.
Quantitative Measure
Complexity Band Level (provide range):
4th – 5th Grade
Lexile or Other Quantitative Measure of the Text:
L 850
ATOS 5.9
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:
There are challenges of vocabulary( multi meaning words, figurative language: similies and metaphors) knowledge of warfare, two storylines.
Another challenge maybe the lack of historical background that can impact the comprehension of the selection.
Teachers can meet these challenges by frontloading related videos and utilizing TMs to support and enhance the comprehension. An example might be Windtalkers- Wikipedia the free encyclopedia http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windtalkers
CSS 5.1 Determine the theme of the story…including hoe characters in the story respond to challenges…summarize the text.
CCSS 5.4 Determine the meaning of the words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
Differentiation/Supports for Students
The Read Aloud strategy would benefit all the students particularly the English language learners. Role-play also will help decipher some of the complexity. Videos or you tube clips about marines may demystify the vocabulary used. Daily explicit instruction in vocabulary would be helpful.
Recommended Placemat: Briefly explain the recommended placement of the text in a particular grade band.
Beginning of second semester for 5th grade. Could also be used for the beginning of the 6th grade.
Created by: Ishu Khurana and Paula Paulino
Reviewed by: