English Language Arts Materials Collections for Instructionally Embedded States

Fall 2026 Assessment Window: Instructionally Embedded Model

Download the English Language Arts Materials Collections List for Instructionally Embedded States (pdf)

The Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) testlets sometimes call for the use of specific materials. The Testlet Information Page (TIP) for each testlet identifies these materials. Sometimes materials are required and cannot be substituted, but substitutions are allowed in most cases. If a testlet requires materials, the TIP will state the specific materials mentioned in the testlet and describe their attributes so that test administrators may find appropriate substitutions. For more information about substituting materials, see the TEST ADMINISTRATION MANUAL sections titled Prepare to Administer a Testlet and Teacher Administered Testlets. 

The TIP is provided in the Instruction and Assessment Planner in Kite® Educator Portal when each testlet is assigned. Since the teacher chooses which Essential Elements and linkage levels to assess during instructionally embedded assessments, the materials needed or recommended to assess each student are unknown before the testlet is assigned. However, the materials used in different testlets often have common traits. This gives teachers the ability to identify some commonly available objects ahead of time that are likely to be useful when administering English language arts (ELA) testlets. Teachers may collect these materials and use them during instruction. That way, the most useful materials are familiar to the student and available before the teacher begins assigning testlets in the Instruction and Assessment Planner. 

To give test administrators more opportunities to prepare for the ELA alternate assessment prior to the opening of the assessment window, DLM staff have compiled a list of materials commonly needed in ELA testlets. The tables in this document summarize the lists of materials per grade level for general testlets and, where appropriate, for students who are blind or have visual impairments.

Materials may be substituted unless the TIP specifically states “No substitutions allowed.” 

Hints for using this list

  • Look at the whole list for each grade and find materials that can meet multiple purposes. Note the types of materials mentioned more than once.
  • Find materials that already exist in the classroom or are easily found in the school building.
  • Pick materials that are familiar to the student.
  • Remember that, in most cases, materials can be substituted if they have the same attributes as those on the list. Examples of possible substitutions are found in the following table.
  • Material substitutions are listed for individual testlets on the corresponding TIP.
  • First and foremost, your student’s safety should be the primary concern when choosing materials or substitutions.

Example Materials Description

Possible SUBSTITUTION

Two books and one magazine, all of which have pages, words, and a cover.

Two objects that belong to the same subgroup (e.g., two backpacks) and a third object that belongs to a different subgroup within the broader category (e.g., one purse from the broader category of bags).

The person associated with teaching the student art.

The person associated with a different familiar routine (e.g., person that teaches reading).

The following information is contained in the accordions below:

  • Lists by grade of common materials used in ELA testlets
  • Lists by grade of common materials that may be used to administer testlets to students who are blind or have visual impairments. Some ELA testlets are special forms designed for students who are blind or have visual impairments, while others are general testlets that have been adapted to make them more accessible.
Grade 3

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 3

any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction  
associated pictures that have been used in shared reading and during instruction  
examples of informational topics such as a person, place, or object that have been used during instruction  
five different objects  
five new objects  
four photographs of unfamiliar people  
four selected objects  
four unfamiliar objects  
one boot with laces, a tongue, heel, outer sole, and toe  
one coat that has a zipper, hood, sleeves, pocket, and a pull-tab on the zipper  
one coat that has a zipper, sleeves, hood, snaps, and pockets  
one different familiar object that has been used in shared reading  
one highlighter with a tip and cap  
one magazine that has covers and pages  
one milk carton with a straw  
one mitten with a thumb  
one newspaper with pages and words  
one notebook that has a front cover and pages  
one object that relates to a dog  
one pair of gloves with thumbs  
one pen that has a point  
one pen with a cap and tip  
one photograph of a familiar place  
one purse that has straps, zippers, and pockets  
one school bus  
one sun visor cap that has a visor and adjustable straps  
one sun visor that has a bill and closure  
one sweatshirt with a hood, pockets, and zipper  
one symbol representing an action associated with cleanup time  
one symbol representing an action associated with school  
one symbol representing an action associated with shopping time  
one toy truck that has wheels, windows, and lights  
resource materials for the topic the student selects  
resource materials that have been used in shared reading and during instruction  
six familiar objects  
six symbolic representations of actions associated with familiar routines  
three familiar objects that belong to the student  
three familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view  
three objects that relate to the classroom  
three pairs of similar (but not identical) objects  
two backpacks which have straps, zippers, and pockets  
two baseball hats that have visors and adjustable straps  
two baseball hats which have bills and closures  
two books which have front covers and pages  
two books with pages and words  
two coats with a zipper, sleeves, pockets, and hood  
two familiar, identical objects  
two jackets that have a zipper, hood, sleeves, pocket, and a pull-tab on the zipper  
two jackets that have a zipper, sleeves, hood, snaps, and pockets  
two juice boxes with straws  
two markers with a tip and cap  
two pairs of identical objects  
two pencils that have a point  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places  
two shoes which have laces, tongues, heels, outer soles, and toes  
two toy buses  
two toy cars that have wheels, windows, and lights  

Common Materials Used for Grade 3 Students Who Are Blind or Have Visual Impairments

five familiar objects that belong to the student  
five new objects  
four tactually different objects  
one backpack or backpack represented in a tactile graphic  
one bag or a bag represented in a tactile graphic  
one ball or ball represented in a tactile graphic  
one book or book represented in a tactile graphic  
one box or box represented in a tactile graphic  
one brush  
one chair or chair represented in a tactile graphic  
one pair of sunglasses or sunglasses represented in a tactile graphic  
one shoe or shoe represented in a tactile graphic  
one skirt or skirt represented in a tactile graphic  
one stuffed animal  
one symbolic representation of a brush  
one symbolic representation of a shoe  
one symbolic representation of a stuffed animal  
one toy skateboard or skateboard represented in a tactile graphic  
two familiar, identical objects  
two pairs of tactually identical objects  
two pairs of tactually similar objects  
two unfamiliar objects  

Grade 4

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 4

any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction  
examples of informational topics that have been used in shared reading and during instruction  
five new objects  
five objects or pictures not in the bags category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the bags category  
four different objects  
four photographs of unfamiliar people  
nine selected objects  
one notecard or other letter card with the first letter of the student's name written uppercase  
one object or picture that belongs to the book category  
one photograph of a familiar place  
three objects or pictures not in the book category  
three objects or pictures not in the clothes category  
three objects or pictures not in the hat category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the clothes category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the hat category  
three pairs of similar (but not identical) objects  
two familiar objects that belong to the student  
two familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction  
two familiar, identical objects  
two pairs of identical objects  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places  
two unfamiliar objects  

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 4 Students Who Are Blind or Have Visual Impairments

five familiar objects that belong to the student  
five new objects  
five tactually different objects  
one backpack or backpack represented in a tactile graphic  
one bear or bear represented in a tactile graphic  
one bird or bird represented in a tactile graphic  
one block or block represented in a tactile graphic  
one book or book represented in a tactile graphic  
one chair or chair represented in a tactile graphic  
one chair with a seat  
one cup or cup represented in a tactile graphic  
one deer or deer represented in a tactile graphic  
one hat or hat represented in a tactile graphic  
one pillow or pillow represented in a tactile graphic  
one shirt or shirt represented in a tactile graphic  
one shoe or shoe represented in a tactile graphic  
one small tree with leaves  
one sock or sock represented in a tactile graphic  
one spoon with a handle  
one squirrel or squirrel represented in a tactile graphic  
one table with legs  
one toothbrush or toothbrush represented in a tactile graphic  
one towel or towel represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy truck with wheels  
one tree or tree represented in a tactile graphic  
three pairs of tactually similar (but not identical) objects  
three unfamiliar objects  
two familiar, identical objects  
two pairs of tactually identical objects  

Grade 5

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 5

any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction  
examples of informational topics about the student's personal experiences  
five pairs of familiar, identical objects  
four unfamiliar objects  
nine selected objects  
one crayon  
one cup  
one hairbrush that has bristles and handles  
one hat  
one jacket that has a hood, sleeves, and zipper  
one marker  
one mitten  
one pen  
one photograph of a familiar place  
one piece of clay  
one piece of paper  
one scarf  
one shoebox that has a lid, inside, and sides  
one sweater  
tape  
three different familiar objects that belong to the student  
three objects or pictures not in the clothes category  
three objects or pictures not in the cups category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the clothes category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the cups category  
three pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property, such as color, size, shape, or texture  
three preferred objects  
two non-preferred objects  
two packing boxes which have lids, insides, and sides  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places  
two toothbrushes which have bristles and handles  
two coats which have a hood, sleeves, and zipper  
two familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction  

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 5 Students Who Are Blind or Have Visual Impairments

five familiar objects that belong to the student  
one blanket or blanket represented in a tactile graphic  
one bowl or bowl represented in a tactile graphic  
one chair or picture of a chair  
one clock or a picture of a clock  
one coat or coat represented in a tactile graphic  
one glove or a picture of a glove  
one glove or glove represented in a tactile graphic  
one piece of thread or thread represented in a tactile graphic  
one piece of wood or wood represented in a tactile graphic  
one shirt or shirt represented in a tactile graphic  
one shoe or a picture of a shoe  
one sock or sock represented in a tactile graphic  
one table or a picture of a table  
two unfamiliar objects  

Grade 6

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 6

any objects the student uses to ask questions  
any objects the student uses to introduce himself/herself  
any objects the student uses to make a list  
any objects the student uses to put on a hat  
any objects the student uses to read a book  
any objects the student uses to say goodbye  
any objects the student uses to wash his/her hands  
any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction  
examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction  
fifteen notecards  
five different objects  
five objects or pictures not in the animal category  
five objects or pictures not in the sports ball category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the animal category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the sports ball category  
five pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property, such as color, size, shape, or texture  
one ball  
one familiar object that belongs to the student  
one flower  
one jacket with a zipper  
one letter card or notecard with a letter that does not appear in the student's name  
one object for getting ready for school  
one photograph of a familiar person  
one photograph of a familiar place  
one shoe with shoestrings tied in a bow  
one slipper  
one toy animal  
one letter card or notecard with the first letter of the student's name  
resource materials (e.g., an informational text, an informational poster, digital sources)  
six objects from the writing routine, all of which should have unique properties (e.g., color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other  
three objects for arriving at school  
three objects for packing a backpack  
three objects for packing a bag  
three pairs of similar objects  
two familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction  
two pairs of identical objects  
two photographs of unfamiliar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places  
two unfamiliar objects  

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 6 Students Who Are Blind or Have Visual Impairments

five familiar objects that belong to the student  
four tactually different objects  
one bag  
one ball  
one bar of soap or soap represented in a tactile graphic  
one bell  
one blanket  
one block  
one book  
one doll  
one eraser  
one hat or hat represented in a tactile graphic  
one jacket  
one pen  
one piece of chalk  
one pillow  
one shoe or shoe represented in a tactile graphic  
one sock  
one symbolic representation of a bag  
one symbolic representation of a ball  
one symbolic representation of a bell  
one symbolic representation of a blanket  
one symbolic representation of a block  
one symbolic representation of a book  
one symbolic representation of a doll  
one symbolic representation of a jacket  
one symbolic representation of a pen  
one symbolic representation of a piece of chalk  
one symbolic representation of a pillow  
one symbolic representation of a shoe  
one symbolic representation of a sock  
one symbolic representation of a wooden block  
one symbolic representation of an eraser  
one towel or towel represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy house or house represented in a tactile graphic  
one wooden block  
two pairs of tactually similar objects  
two unfamiliar objects  

Grade 7

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 7

any writing tools used by the student during regular instruction  
examples of informational topics and related resource materials  
five objects or pictures that are not in the art supplies category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the art supplies category  
one ball  
one bottle  
one colored pencil  
one crayon  
one cup  
one glove  
one hat  
one jar  
one notebook  
one object that can serve as a screen (i.e., bandana, box, piece of cardboard, etc.)  
one paintbrush  
one pen  
one pencil  
one piece of paper  
one spoon  
six familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view  
the person associated with checking out a book  
the person associated with greeting in the morning  
the person associated with helping in the library  
the person associated with serving lunch  
the person associated with teaching art  
the person associated with teaching geography  
the person associated with teaching gym class  
the person associated with teaching technology  
three different objects  
three familiar objects related to the topic of a familiar book, two of which are from a first category and one which is from a second category  
three objects or pictures not in the ball category  
three objects or pictures not in the dishes category  
three objects or pictures not of an animal  
three objects or pictures of an animal  
three objects or pictures that belong to the ball category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the dishes category  
three pairs of similar (but not identical) objects  

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 7 Students Who Are Blind or Have Visual Impairments

one backpack or backpack represented in a tactile graphic  
one bag  
one ball  
one blanket or blanket represented in a tactile graphic  
one book  
one bottle  
one bottle of water  
one brush  
one cup  
one doll  
one jacket  
one jar  
one notebook  
one paintbrush  
one pen  
one pencil  
one plate  
one sock or sock represented in a tactile graphic  
one spoon  
one stuffed animal  
one symbolic representation of a bag  
one symbolic representation of a ball  
one symbolic representation of a book  
one symbolic representation of a bottle  
one symbolic representation of a bottle of water  
one symbolic representation of a brush  
one symbolic representation of a cup  
one symbolic representation of a doll  
one symbolic representation of a jacket  
one symbolic representation of a jar  
one symbolic representation of a notebook  
one symbolic representation of a paintbrush  
one symbolic representation of a pen  
one symbolic representation of a pencil  
one symbolic representation of a plate  
one symbolic representation of a sock  
one symbolic representation of a spoon  
one symbolic representation of a stuffed animal  
three different objects represented in a tactile graphic  

Grade 8

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 8

any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction  
examples of informational topics used during instruction  
one backpack  
one book  
one comb  
one cup  
one flashlight  
one object needed for cooking  
one object needed for going outside  
one object needed for waking up  
one object needed for washing hands  
one object needed to complete a writing activity  
one object needed to complete arriving at school  
one object needed to complete brushing teeth  
one object needed to complete checking out a book  
one object needed to complete drawing  
one object needed to complete getting ready for school  
one object needed to complete getting ready to go home  
one object needed to complete gym class  
one object needed to complete handing in homework  
one object needed to complete packing a bag  
one object needed to complete reading a book  
one object needed to complete the lunch routine  
one object needed to complete unpacking a bag  
one object needed to make music  
one object needed to wash cups  
one object not for arriving at school  
one object not for brushing teeth  
one object not for checking out a book  
one object not for cooking  
one object not for drawing  
one object not for going outside  
one object not for gym class  
one object not for handing in homework  
one object not for making music  
one object not for packing a bag  
one object not for reading  
one object not for the lunch routine  
one object not for waking up  
one object not for washing cups  
one object not for washing hands  
one object or picture in the clothes category  
one object or picture in the dishes category  
one object or picture not in the clothes category  
one object or picture not in the dishes category  
one pair of sunglasses  
one pen  
one pencil  
one ruler  
one spoon  
six objects related to swimming  
ten notecards  
the person associated with getting the student from the bus  
the person associated with giving the student lunch  
the person associated with going to the library  
the person associated with greeting in the morning  
the person associated with helping the student fill out a planner  
the person associated with helping the student pack a bag  
the person associated with taking the student to the bus  
the person associated with teaching the student art  
the person associated with teaching the student to read  
three different objects  
three pairs of similar (but not identical) objects  
two dishes  
two familiar objects used as part of a familiar routine and one familiar object from a second familiar routine  
two hats  
two pieces of clothing  

Grades 9–10

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grades 9-10

any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction  
examples of informational topics used during instruction  
fifteen notecards  
five objects or pictures from the clothing category  
five objects or pictures not from the clothing category  
four objects or pictures from the calendars subgroup  
four objects or pictures from the paper subgroup  
four objects or pictures from the pencil subgroup  
four objects or pictures from the writing utensils subgroup  
one notecard with any letter not in the student's first name  
one notecard with the first letter of the student's first name  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with art class  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with the classroom  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with the library  
resource materials used during instruction  
six objects from the familiar lunch routine that have unique properties (e.g., color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other  
six symbolic representations  
three objects for studying  
three objects or pictures from the dishes category  
three objects or pictures from the worker category  
three objects or pictures not from the dishes category  
three objects or pictures not from the worker category  
two objects or pictures from the eraser subgroup  
two objects or pictures from the notebook subgroup  

Grades 11–12

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grades 11-12

any symbolic representation of an action associated with being in the snow  
any symbolic representation of an action associated with going outside  
any symbolic representation of an action associated with going to the park  
any symbolic representation of an action associated with library time  
any symbolic representation of an action associated with reading a book  
any symbolic representation of an action associated with washing hands  
any writing tools used by the student during instruction  
examples of informational topics used during instruction  
five objects or pictures from the vegetable category  
five objects or pictures not from the vegetable category  
nine notecards  
one notecard with any letter not in the student's first name  
one notecard with the first letter of the student's first name  
resource materials that include some vocabulary words used in instruction  
six objects from the same familiar routine that have unique properties (e.g., color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other  
six symbolic representations  
three objects for hand washing  
three objects or pictures from the plant category  
three objects or pictures not from the plant category  
two familiar objects used as part of a familiar routine and one familiar object from a second familiar routine