Grades 3-8 Text Selection Guidelines
How to Use these Charts:
First determine, the suggested text complexity level from the chart below.
Depending on your learning targets, identify focus standard(s) from the Common Core State Standards for ELA & Literacy.
Then use the appropriate columns for information about the key characteristics to look for when selecting classroom texts.
Common Scale for Band Level Text Difficulty Ranges
Text Analyzer Tools
Common
Core Bands: ATOS
2nd-3rd
2.75-5.14
DRP
42-54
FK
1.98-5.34
Lexile
420-820
4th-5th
4.97-7.03
52-60
4.51-7.73
6th-8th
7.00-9.98
57-67
9th-10th
9.67-12.01
11th-CCR
11.20-14.10
SR
0.05 – 2.48
RM
3.53 - 6.13
740-1010
0.84 – 5.75
5.42 - 7.92
6.51-10.34
925-1185
4.11 – 10.66
7.04 - 9.57
62-72
8.32-12.12
1050-1335
9.02 – 13.93
8.41 - 10.81
67-74
10.34-14.2
1185-1385
12.30 – 14.50 9.57 - 12
Dana Fulmer, Dfulmer@ulsterboces.org
Adapted from Text Selection Guidelines from NY State Department of Education
R1: Support
claims with
evidence
3-5
Must have
sufficient detail
WHAT to support basic
TO
literal questions
LOOK & minor
FOR
inferences
6-8
Passages must
contain
WHAT sustained
TO
development to
LOOK analyze for
FOR
content & craft.
Concepts
developed with
multiple details
R2: Determine
central ideas or
themes &
analyze
development;
summarize
Must have a
central clear
idea. Grade 5: 2
central ideas
Has concepts
with multiple
ideas. Passages
that can be
summarized in 12 sentences are
not complex
enough.
INFORMATIONAL TEXT Characteristics to Look For in Selecting Text
R3: Analyze how R4:
R5: Analyze text
R6: Point of View
R7:
ideas develop & Interpret
structure
Integrating
interact
words &
from
phrases
diverse
formats
Must contain
concepts,
descriptions built
with multiple
steps.
Rich in
grade-level
vocabulary
Texts with clear
organization of
ideas. (Gr 5:
compare multiple
texts)
Must contain
concepts,
descriptions
complex enough
to support
analysis of parts,
and to the
utilization of a
3rd concept for
analysis
(influence,
contrast, etc.)
Contain
figurative
language
&/or
stylistic
choices
sufficient to
support
analysis.
Rich in
organizational
development;
well-developed
paragraphs.
Dana Fulmer, Dfulmer@ulsterboces.org
Adapted from Text Selection Guidelines from NY State Department of Education
Passages with a
distinct point of
view that is
developed through
the text. Gr 4 & 5:
paired passages on
same event.
Passages with clear
purposes & points
of view that are
significantly
developed with
clear authorial
techniques.
(Persuasive texts
like op-ed are
ideal.)
Texts with
illustrations,
graphs,
maps,
charts. Gr 5:
multimedia
Different
types of
sources.
R8: Evaluating
claims &
reasoning
R9: Analyze multiple texts
Contain ideas
developed with
comparisons ,
cause & effect,
sequences.
Gr 4 & 5: include
authorial claims
Multiple claims &
pieces of
evidence. Gr 8:
some evidence
that is
questionable or
irrelevant. (Op
ed, long ads,
political
propaganda &
speeches)
Paired Passages: Different info on
same topic to build understanding
6: Same topic covered by different
authors, presented differently.
7-8: Different interpretations
emphasizing different evidence.
8: Conflicting interpretations
R1: Support
claims with
evidence
3-5
6-8
Passages must
have sufficient
details to
support basic
literal questions
& minor
inferences
Passages must
contain
sustained
development to
analyze for
content & craft.
Plots, characters
& themes
developed with
multiple details
LITERARY TEXTS Characteristics to Look for in Selecting Text
R4: Interpret
R5: Analyze text R6: Point of
R7:
words &
structure
View
Integrating
phrases
from
diverse
formats
R2: Determine
central ideas or
themes &
analyze
development;
summarize
Must have a
central clear
idea. Grade 5: 2
central ideas
R3: Analyze how
ideas develop &
interact
Must contain
clear significant
characters with
detailed
characterized.
Rich in gradelevel language &
by grade 5,
figurative
language
Story events
should be
distinct &
contribute
clearly to plot.
Clear point of
view: gr 4: first
& third person
narrators.
Illustrations
or
multimedia.
Paired: similar themes
3: Same author
4: Different cultural traditions
5: Same genre, different author
Has concepts
with multiple
ideas. Passages
that can be
summarized in 12 sentences are
not complex
enough.
Clear characters
who develop
over a sequence
of
Contain
figurative
language &
stylistic choices.
Poetry an
excellent choice
for this
standard.
Rich in structural
development
(chapters,
scenes, stanzas)
to support
analysis.
Layered
meanings.
Multiple
characters with
different
perspectives; gr
8: irony.
Video
versions of
stories &
plays.
6: Same theme, diff. form or genre
7: Fictional & historical accounts
8: Cultural & textual allusions in a
text
Dana Fulmer, Dfulmer@ulsterboces.org
Adapted from Text Selection Guidelines from NY State Department of Education
R8: Evaluating
claims &
reasoning
R9: Analyze multiple texts
PAIRED TEXTS
3-5
Expository
Argumentative
Expository: Ideas
developed over several
paragraphs; strong
organizational structure;
grade level language
Clear point of view,
Multiple points of
evidence;
Strong organizational
structure
3-5: 2 complementary
points of view that build
understanding
Argumentative
Multimedia
Clear point of view &
purpose
Argument developed over
several paragraphs
Valid reasoning supported
by multiple pieces of
evidence
6-8: Opposing points of
view
8: Include some
questionable reasoning
Paired Multimedia Narrative
Poetry
Narrative: Passages relate the same
event or significant moment; several
paragraphs; several key points with
descriptive details.
Relate the same event.
Narrative builds through
elaboration of several key points,
with descriptive details for each.
Strong organizational structure.
Clear themes developed
with multiple images or
details
Clear themes
3: Different texts from same author
4: Similar themes, different cultures
4-5: Two different media,
complementary points of
view
6-8
Narrative
Two opposing points of
view
Built on differently
interpreted evidence
Media itself should be
highlight differences in
interpretation
5: Different authors, same genre
4: Similar themes, different
cultures, different media
Provide complementary points of view
Narrative: Passages relate the same
event or significant moment; several
paragraphs; several key points with
descriptive details.
6: Similar theme, different genres
7: Similar theme or event; pair fictional &
informational accounts
Provide opposing points of view
Dana Fulmer, Dfulmer@ulsterboces.org
Adapted from Text Selection Guidelines from NY State Department of Education
Two different media,
Two complementary points of
view
5: Different authors, same genre,
different media (e.g. mystery story
& film)
Two opposing points of view
6: Similar event/theme, different
genres & media
7: Fictional & historical accounts in
different media
Structure enhances
meaning
Use of figurative devices