Text Complexity Analysis of
Writing on the Wall (title)
byTime for Kids (author)
Recommended Complexity Band: Lower 4th Grade
Text Description
Briefly describe the text:Informational text explaining about the Great Wall of Los Angeles and how it brings people together.
Qualitative Measures
Meaning/Purpose: (Briefly explain the levels of meaning (Literary Text) or purpose (Informational text)
Purpose: Moderately Complex: Implied (subtitle, bottom of p. 467, p. 469 last paragraph) Two different purposes: to give information about the mural and to explain how this mural brings people of different ethnic groups together
Text Structure: (Briefly describe the structure, organization, and other features of the text)
Organization: MC: Connections between some ideas (e.g.bringing people together) are implicit or subtle; generally sequential
Text Features: MC: mural mania insert p.468 enhances the understanding of the text; subtitles also enhance understanding
Use of Graphics: MC: Use of pictures directly support the text; mostly supplementary
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: MC: Some occasions for more complex meaning (title)
Vocabulary: MC: Mostly familiar with some unfamiliar vocabulary words (restore, dimensions)
Sentence Structure: MC: Mostly simple but includes some more complex constructions (They observe how various ethnic groups,…p.467)
Knowledge Demands: (Briefly describe the knowledge demands the text requires of students.)
Subject Matter Knowledge: MC: murals, canvas in different forms, historical connections, calculating dimensions
Intertextuality: SC: straight forward; no significant references to outside ideas
Quantitative Measure
Complexity Band Level (provide range):
Early 4th grade
Lexile or Other Quantitative Measure of the Text: 850L
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:Title and idiom; the idea that there was a ten year time frame but 5 summers pp.466-467 to complete might be confusing; deciding what information is given in addition to and what information is essential (Mural Mania insert). Understanding the underlying theme of in which ways The Great Wall brings people together and how it represents Los Angeles.
MajorInstructional Areas of Focus (3-4 CCS Standards) for this Text:
4.RI 1, 2, 3, 8
Differentiation/Supports for Students
Addressing the Mural Mania insert before reading the text to build some prior knowledge about murals in general. The insert is additional information that might be distracting to the flow of the article.
Recommended Placemat: Briefly explain the recommended placement of the text in a particular grade band.
Created by: Norma España and Laurie MorrisonReviewed by: