Text Complexity Analysis of
At Home in the Coral Reef (title)
by
Katy Muzik
(author)
Pg. 622-No, it’s too shallow and too hot…
Pg. 623- The planula catches a current to deeper water…
Also includes compare and contrast
Pg. 616-Hard coral vs. soft coral
Recommended Complexity Band: Exceedingly Complex
Text Description
Briefly describe the text: Narrative Nonfiction
Informational text that explains, through narrative form and colorful illustrations,
how a coral reef is created and thrives under the sea. It also describes how many
different types of sea animals live in and around the reef, how they depend on each
other, and what we can do to protect the coral reefs from environmental destruction.
Qualitative Measures
Meaning/Purpose: (Briefly explain the levels of meaning (Literary Text) or purpose
(Informational text)
Exceedingly Complex – Intricate-several layers of interrelated information
Pg. 622-Compares/contrasts various environments
Text Features: Exceedingly complex - Captions used in pictures are essential for
understanding content
Various types of coral and sea life are labeled on every picture
Use of graphics: Exceedingly complex - Cartoon like and colorful, but necessary to make
meaning from text
Pg. 616, 617, 618, 619,620, 621,…
Language Features: (Briefly describe the conventions and clarity of the language used in the
text, including the complexity of the vocabulary and sentence structures.)
Vocabulary: Exceedingly Complex - Much of the vocabulary is unfamiliar and subjectspecific
The purpose of the text lies within an intricate pattern of writing. The planula is on a journey
looking for a home, Through this journey of factual information, the author sounds like she is
talking directly to the reader. She is telling a story of factual events and questions the reader
about where the planula travels, what it encounters along the way, and what type of
environment it finally finds in order to survive.
Polyps, tentacles, planula, sperm, partnership, crest, lagoon, brittle, suburbs,
Organization of main ideas: Exceedingly complex - Extensive range of ideas ( 2 types
of coral and different characteristics, how coral polyps reproduce, how planula find a
home and the array of sea animals they encounter, nightlife in the lagoon, how the
sand/ beach is created, ….)
Pg. 622-It turns away and swims to the shallow water near the beach of the lagoon.
Text Structure: (Briefly describe the structure, organization, and other features of the text)
Knowledge Demands: (Briefly describe the knowledge demands the text requires of
students.)Very Complex
Pg. 616-The reef itself is made of zillions of tiny animals called coral polyps.
Sentence Structure: Very complex
Pg. 618- The planula is swept along, riding a wave over the crest to the lagoon.
Pg. 624-Luckily, a current carries it out of the lagoon, over the top of the reef, and down the
other side of the reef deeper and deeper and deeper to a healthy part of the reef.
Pg. 617-Once a year, coral polyps have babies…called a planula
Subject Matter Knowledge: Very Complex - Discipline-specific content knowledge
(Science…ocean life, reproduction, environmental pollution, ecosystem)
Pg.618-Just in time a big wave carries the planula
Intertextuality-Very Complex
Pg.619-Will this be the home,,,No it’s too rough
Pg. 621- The planula needs a rocky place
Created by:
Reviewed by:
Recommended Placemat: Briefly explain the recommended placement of the text in a
particular grade band.
Quantitative Measure
Complexity Band Level (provide range):
The recommended placemat is upper 4th Grade band. Also appropriate for 5th Grade band
due to the level of scientific content.
4th -5th Grade 740L -1010L
Lexile or Other Quantitative Measure of the Text:
Lexile:
AD700L
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 unfamiliar and subject-specific
Factual information is presented in a narrative form/ pictures are cartoon like (students may
confuse for fiction)
Complicated intricate details
Major Instructional Areas of Focus (3-4 CCS Standards) for this Text:
RI4.2 Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details;
summarize the text
RI4.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or
phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area
RI4.5 Describe the overall structure (e.g. chronology, comparison, cause/effect,
problem/solution) of events, ideas , concepts, or information in a text or part of a text
RI4.6 Compare and contrast a firsthand or secondhand account of the same event or
topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided
Differentiation/Supports for Students
Preteach some of the vocabulary focus words
Preteach the story content
Chunk sections of the story to build understanding of specific content
Created by:
Reviewed by: