Text Complexity Analysis of
Davy Crockett Saves the World (title)
by Rosalyn Shanzer
(author)
Recommended Complexity Band: Moderately Complex
Text Description
Pg. 214 Now, Sally Sugartree was not just purty, but she right smart, too
Pg. 218 – So many sparks flew out of its tail that, even though it was night, the entire
countryside lit up and all the roosters set to crowin’!
Pg. 221 The comet must have thought Davy looked mighty tender, for it licked its chops,
howled louder than a hundred tornadoes, and roared toward him with its mouth wide open.
Pg. 221 …before it could grow back to its original size, Davy grabbed what was left of Halley’s
tail, spun around seventeen times, and hurled the comet back to outer space.
Briefly describe the text: A tale about Davy Crockett, who lives in the woods where he
combs his hair with a rake and shaves his beard with an ax. Halley’s Comet is hurling
towards Earth and the president is trying to stop it. The president puts an advertisement in
the newspaper calling for Davy Crockett to come to Washington to help. Davy climbs to the
top of the Eagle Eye Peak and jumps on Halley’s Comet and rides it into the Atlantic Ocean.
The ocean put the comet’s fire out and Davey hurls it into outer space. He becomes an
American hero, is elected to Congress, and marries Sally Sugartree.
Pg. 221 It was so discombobulated that the next time it ever came in this direction, it missed
the earth by 39 million miles.
Qualitative Measures
Intertextuality and Cultural Knowledge – Slightly complex – no reference or allusions to other
texts or cultural.
Meaning/Purpose: (Briefly explain the levels of meaning (Literary Text) or purpose
(Informational text) Moderately Complex- the story contains two elements of meaning 1 )the
idea of how he saves the world 2) the idea of what’s important (e.g.Davy Crockett’s
relationship with Sally Sugartree and being called upon by president to save the world from
the Halley’s Comet.)
Text Structure: (Briefly describe the structure, organization, and other features of the text)
Moderately Complex – It has two storylines. The text is a tall tale story that exaggerates
stories about a person’s life, and makes them larger than life.
Pg. 208 - He combed his hair with a rake, shaved his beard with an ax, and could run so fast
that whenever he went out, the trees had to step aside to keep from getting knocked down.
Pg. 221 Then he planted his teeth around the comet’s neck and hung on.
Pg. 218 – So many sparks flew out of its tail that, even though it was night, the entire
countryside lit up and all the roosters set to crowin’!
Language Features: (Briefly describe the conventions and clarity of the language used in the
text, including the complexity of the vocabulary and sentence structures.)
Very Complex – story contains figurative language. Told through third person narration with a
series of events.
Pg. 209 – Folks always crow about the deeds of Davy Crockett, but thing he ever did was
save the world.
Created by: Chioneso Agee and Mona Kaneshiro
Knowledge Demands: (Briefly describe the knowledge demands the text requires of
students. Life Experiences - Very Complex- Theme is not common to the reader- the
elements of fantasy and reality are mixed. Being able to decipher what’s real and what can
really happen-scientific element in story.
Quantitative Measure
Complexity Band Level (provide range):
740L-1010L grade range: 4-5
Lexile or Other Quantitative Measure of the Text: 890L
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:
--The complexity of the text in the use of figurative language
--The theme and idea of what’s important within a given moment
Major Instructional Areas of Focus (3-4 CCS Standards) for this Text:
--Reading Literary Standard 5.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
--Reading Literary Standard 5.2 - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details
in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the
speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
--Reading Literary Standard 5.3 - Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or
Reviewed by:
events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters
interact).
Craft and structure –RL5.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used
in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
Differentiation/Supports for Students
--Review/pre-teach figurative language in a mini lesson
--Review making choices and decisions
--Review fantasy versus reality
--Close read on parts with figurative language and complex sentences
Recommended Placemat: Briefly explain the recommended placement of the text in a
particular grade band.
The recommended placemat is 5th grade level band.
Created by: Chioneso Agee and Mona Kaneshiro
Reviewed by: