Playbill Reading Level

[jasonf]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 7:54am

I was asked by a parent at my school at what reading level are Playbill articles written. Anyone have a grade level approximate?

[KathyGriffinLovesYou]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 5:27pm

They're the theatre equivalent of 'Where the Wild Things Are'.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 5:35pm

Journalism in general is aimed at about a sixth grade reading level. I'd put Playbill about at that average level.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 6:16pm

I just look at the pictures.

[jasonf]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 6:19pm

Calvin - that's about what I thought. I gave the kids an article from an old Playbill I had about Into the Woods and a mother claimed that "it was too hard" for her seventh grade daughter. Neither I nor my supervisor felt that it was too difficult (and as a journalism minor, though it was ten years ago, I seemed to remember the reading level being around fifth or sixth grade also).

Why can't parents just admit when their child has difficulties?

[tazber]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 6:28pm

You're a teacher, you should know this without having to ask us.

So, I assume the real reason you started this thread is to bitch about the parents.
Keep that crap in your "teacher's unite" thread please.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 7:08pm

"Why can't parents just admit when their child has difficulties?"

Calvin is using a "rule of thumb" here. He is not speaking to a specific article, a specific assignment, a specific child or specific set of learning abilities.

Your question shows a lack of respect, compassion and empathy for parents of children with or without disabilities. Plenty of parents recognize their children's learning challenges and needs. That's why they seek the support and guidance of trained and caring educators--some of whom do not recognize their own "difficulties" and instead make the issue a personal one, rather than a professional one.

Updated On: 2/9/09 at 07:08 PM

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 7:13pm

Maybe there were theatre terms that were difficult for the girl to understand. Some words that seem totally easy for theatre fans to understand are confusing to people on the outside and make it impossible to understand the article. If this isn't a theatre class, that's always possible-- the girl might have never even seen a professional production before.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 7:21pm

Ewwww...somebody hit a nerve with that pennywise person!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 8:46pm

I'm surprised a teacher doesn't know the formula for deducing the reading level of a writing sample and would turn to the world-renowned denizens of an Off Topic message board for their expert assessments.




It involves math so it might be a challenge for somebody giving out an Into the Woods article

Updated On: 2/9/09 at 08:46 PM

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 8:56pm

Oh boy, I remember the Fry readability formulas.

[jasonf]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 9:46pm

I knew exactly what I was giving the kids - I was curious what others would say, or if anyone had read anywhere an actual stat on the level specifically of Playbill magazine. Where else but a place full of theater experts would one look to find the answer to that question?

I know that what I gave them was at or below their capability. My supervisor knows that what I gave them was fine. I suspect even this mother knows it - she does not want to admit that her child is having difficulties. I am offended, Miss Pennywise, that you would assume ANYTHING about my interaction with students or parents from my post. The fact is, I spend day in and day out teaching students of all levels, not to mention the time spent dealing with the parents of said kids. There ARE parents who do not acknowledge the needs their own children have which makes teaching those children far more difficult. If a parent would acknowledge the needs of their own children, then the proper services can be given. The fact is, without the legal backing of a classification or 504, there is little we can do for certain kids until the parents take that step. When we as teachers are attacked on top of that, then yes, there is a level of frustration we feel, mostly because we know the child is caught in the middle and left feeling more frustrated than either the parent or teacher ever will. You've further proven my point that teaching is an uphill battle, mostly because of the sheer lack of respect for the work that we do.

Schmerg, the article didn't really have many theater terms (although I do know this child has been going to theater for years since I taught her sister as well and I know the family goes often to NY). There were a couple of challenging vocabulary words the kids needed to look up, but since when is that a bad thing in school?

Taz - you're right - I wanted to bitch about the parent - and if you don't like it, don't click on the thread again.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:03pm

"Where else but a place full of theater experts would one look to find the answer to that question?"

I provided you a link to factually find out for yourself, not to rely on people's opinions on the matter. Otherwise you are no different than the mother you obviously don't respect, working only on presumption.

Most people have no idea what reading level at which things are written. So, yeah, theater experts does seem like the way to go.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:11pm

This is the same circular argument you used when you hit the deer with your car and blamed the deer!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:12pm

Ohhhhh...this is the guy who enraged the deer?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:20pm

Yes, PJ. Except in this case, Deer = Parent.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:44pm

The "sheer lack of respect" may be a reflection of the level of respect shown that parent in the construct of this thread. Still, I await further improbable details:

"In fact, the family loves Into the Woods and has an autographed window card from the original and revival productions."

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 11:06pm

Namo, are you sure it's Into the Woods and not Deer World?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 2:03am

Stupid reading.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 2:20am

Cut and print!

Updated On: 2/10/09 at 02:20 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 6:20am

I'm sorry jason, you're right. This s the perfect forum for you to whine about parental interference with their children's education.

Of course, I suppose you could step up to the plate and do something constructive to help the child if it appears there is a problem with their comprehension. But that would require, you know, teaching skills so I can see why you chose to blame the parent and complain instead.

[jasonf]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 8:02am

Clearly reading comprehension is not at the forefront of skill sets for some of you on this thread. It doesn't matter WHAT is posted, you twist it to your own needs, so go ahead - have at it.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 9:47am

Seems like this Jason fellow has anger-management issues.

I hope he doesn't take it out on the children!

The children!

[jasonf]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 9:58am

I'm beating them into submission as we speak.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 10:40am

I'm just curious, is school in session today? How can you post here?