|
Predicting Typical Grade Level Textbook Comprehension with the Lexile Calculator
In some cases the readability level of
a textbook does not match the reading ability of the students who are needing to learn from it. To determine the level at
which students will most likely comprehend the textbook material typical of a certain grade level, the Lexile Calculator can
be used.
To access The Lexile Calculator, open lexile.com, the choose the "educator" tab, "tools"
from the top menu bar, then "Lexile calculator" from the left hand menu bar. Then follow the directions given.
There is a PowerPoint included at the end of this module
to help you better understand the usefulness of the Lexile Calculator. Using the Lexile Analyzer The Lexile Analyzer allows you to analyze text, literature and supplementary materials to find
their readability. Files to be analyzed should be typed in Word, but saved as a text file only. To do this, choose ".txt"
or "text only" from the drop down menu on the Save As screen. The attached PDF file contains these directions.
Teachers may be interested in obtaining a Lexile measure of their own writing, their tests, or supplementary materials
they use in their classes. For instance, teachers may want to know if the tests they are writing are at an appropriate reading
level for the students they expect to read it.
A test must be edited some before it is submitted to the Analyzer.
For instance, you must take out question numbers (1.), and you must take out the letters indicating multiple choice answers
(a., b.). All multiple choice answer choices must be punctuated (milk.) Any fill in the blank questions must have the blank
removed and replaced with the answer.
Also, students' own writings can be analyzed. Students will not write
at the same level at which they read, but they should be encouraged to continually increase the sophistication of their writing
and this can give them feedback on the complexity.
You must register to use the Lexile Analyzer, but it is just
a way of tracking its use. You do not have to pay and you will not receive e-mails as a result of registering.
Lexile Power Vocabulary
Power
Vocabulary is a resource that gives vocabulary words that might need to be taught with certain texts. The words chosen to
be included in Power Vocabulary are those that are above the Lexile level of the material, and that have a central meaning
to the story. They are the words that would impede the comprehension of the story if students did not know their meaning.
Included at this site are word lists, review tools such as word finds and crosswords, and assessments (fill in the
blank and matching). To access the word lists, click on the "W". To access the review tools, click on the "S";
and for the answer keys, click on the "T". We caution the use of these tools as they may not be the most effective
ways to learn vocabulary.
To access Power Vocabulary, choose the "educator"
tab, then "tools" and finally, "Power Vocabulary."
Lexile Reading Pathfinders Lexile Reading
Pathfinders is a resource that allows you to find the Lexile levels for multiple series of books. This can aid in deciding
which books in a series would be best to read according to the Lexile level of each individual book.
This is especially
helpful when books within a series are written by different authors. Also, the Lexile level of books sometimes increases from
the beginning to the end of the series.
To access Lexile Reading Pathfinders, open the Lexile site, choose "educator,"
"tools," and "Lexile Reading Pathfinders."
http://www.lexile.com
Predicting Text Comprehension
Lexile Analyzer Directions
|
