The Frye Readability Graph says that my practicum classroom textbook is on a lower reading level than the grade level. I took three samples from the text, each in different parts of the text. The first sample of one-hundred words contained five sentences with 167 syllables, placing that readability into the collegiate level. The second sample contained 7.2 sentences and 150 syllables. The third sample had 6.3 sentences and 145 syllables. Both the second and third samples placed in the 8th grade reading level. The average of the three places the readability of the text into the 9th grade reading level. Unfortunately, my practicum classroom is a 12th grade tech prep class. The students in the class have difficulties with reading and writing, so the text may fit them accordingly. I talked to my practicum teacher, Mrs. Gaskins, and she said that most of the students in the class have not yet passed the Exit Exam because of their reading and writing skills. I do not believe the educators in District 56 are not expecting as much from these tech prep students; I think they are trying to accommodate for the students' downfalls in reading. As I talked to Mrs. Gaskins about the text, I realized that the text does contain some material that challenges the students' minds. Beowulf, Robin Hood and the Three Squires, The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, and Gulliver's Travels are just a few of the works that the students will read during the semester. These works even challenge the minds of college students. By only examining three small passages from this text, the readability test does not do justice for Literature and Language.
Expository Text Evaluation Checklist
Literature and Language rates very well according to the text evaluation checklist. The overall features of the text are very well done. They lay the table of contents out in a way that makes it easy for the students to find stories and supporting material in the text. The glossary gives good definitions and pronunciations, but lacks in giving the appropriate page numbers for the word. The organization of the text is very well done. The units are designed thematically, allowing the students to see the relationships between the works. Unfortunately, the author does not refer to previously learned information when introducing new ideas. I guess that referring to earlier- learned ideas in a literature book is hard. Overall, my practicum class text book rates well on the evaluation. I do think the text might be written on too low a grade level for the class. I understand that some people in the class might have reading deficiencies, but the book is four grade levels below the students' grade level. The text does contain classic works that will challenge the students, but the rest of the book lacks in challenging the students. I do believe though that the text is adequate for most of my practicum class. Although there is no one below the 8th grade reading level in the class, some students have a higher reading level. For these students, I would allow them to help those students who might not comprehend the lesson as well. I would try my best to keep all students interested in the class by allowing them to learn from each other and letting them offer as much into the discussion as possible. I would also have an open class discussion about the assignments to let the students hear others' opinions. I think that by letting students discuss the assignments and by letting students hear what others have to say will help both those who have lower reading levels and those who have higher reading levels.
Title of Expository Selection: Literature and Language
Type of Text: English and World Literature
Author and His Expertise: Richard Craig Goheen, teacher in Randolph County Schools, Elkins, West Virginia; faculty adjunct at West Virginia University, College of Graduate Studies, Institute, West Virginia.
Overall Features:
The table of contents is logically organized and presents a complete view of the contents of the entire text.(3)
The index is comprehensive and easily leads to text information.(3)
The glossary is well developed with adequate definitions, pronunciations, and page numbers as to where the word is found in the text.(2)
All visuals are uncluttered and aid students' understanding of text information.(3)
The text provides appropriate models for gender and ethnic groups.(2)
Organization and Writing:
Titles, headings, and subheadings clearly identify the content to be discussed.(3)
The authors clearly let the reader know the main ideas or concepts in each chapter, and the authors devote most of the chapter to those main ideas.(2)
Each major heading or subheading lends itself easily to outlining or flowcharting.(2)
Paragraphs are interrelated explicitly via connectives or repetition of ideas so that important conceptual relationships are clear and do not have to be inferred by the reader.(3)
New concepts are introduced by relating them to previously learned information.(1)
The vocabulary load is not too dense. The authors only introduce one or two terms in a single paragraph.(2)
The text uses numerous concrete examples to explain abstract ideas and terms.(2)
The authors refer back to previously learned concepts when they relate to new concepts being introduced.(2)
The authors have written the text with the intended audience in mind. They don't assume too much about students' prior knowledge, and they present ideas in a way that is appropriate for the experiences of the intended readers.(2)
The questioning and/or activities presented in the text cause students to think about and apply what they are studying.(3)
Teacher's Edition:
The teacher's edition provides a variety of methods to develop and/or activate students' prior knowledge.(3)
The teacher's edition provides alternative activities/projects, additional readings, and suggestions for accommodating advanced and low-achieving students.(3)
The teacher's edition provides a listing of accessible professional resources including professional journals, computer software, video tapes, and other supplemental instructional materials.(1)
(3=Excellent, 2=Adequate, 1=Poor)
Overall Features: 13 (Excellent)
Organization and Writing: 21 (Adequate)
Teacher's Edition: 7 (Excellent)