English Language Arts Materials Collections for Instructionally Embedded States

Fall 2023 Assessment Window: Instructionally Embedded Model

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

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 somewhere 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 Table 1.
  • 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.

Table 1
Example English Language Arts Substitution Materials

Example Materials Description Possible Solution
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).

Contained in this document:
  • 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 new objects
  • four different objects
  • four familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student’s view
  • four selected objects
  • four unfamiliar objects
  • one bag which has handles
  • one boot with laces, a tongue, a heel, an outer sole, and a toe
  • one crayon with a tip
  • one highlighter with a tip and cap
  • one long-sleeved shirt with buttons
  • one magazine
  • one magazine that has a cover and pages
  • one milk carton with a straw
  • one mitten with a thumb
  • one object that relates to a dog
  • one other bag with zippers
  • one pair of gloves with thumbs
  • one pen that has a point
  • one photograph of a familiar person
  • one purse with straps, zippers, and pockets
  • one school bus
  • one short-sleeved shirt with buttons
  • one sun visor cap with a visor and adjustable straps
  • 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 teacher chair
  • one toy truck that has wheels, windows, and lights
  • resource material for the topic that the student selects
  • resource materials that have been used in shared reading and during instruction
  • three objects that relate to the classroom
  • two backpacks with straps, zippers, pockets, and handles
  • two baseball caps with visors and adjustable straps
  • two books that have covers, pages, and words
  • two coats that have long sleeves, zippers, pockets, and hoods
  • two familiar, identical objects
  • two jackets that have zippers, sleeves, pockets, and hoods
  • two juice boxes with straws
  • two markers with tips and caps
  • two newspapers with pages, pictures, words, and a front
  • two notebooks
  • two pairs of shoes, both of which have laces, tongues, heels, outer soles, and toes
  • two pairs of similar (but not identical) objects
  • two pencils with tips
  • two photographs of familiar places
  • two photographs of unfamiliar people
  • two photographs of unfamiliar places
  • two short-sleeved shirts with buttons
  • two sneakers
  • two student chairs
  • 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
  • four tactually different objects
  • one backpack or backpack represented in a tactile graphic
  • one bag or a tactile graphic of a bag
  • one box or a tactile graphic of a box
  • one brush
  • one chair or chair represented in a tactile graphic
  • one piece of clothing represented in a tactile graphic
  • one shoe or shoe 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
  • three new objects
  • 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 objects or pictures that are unassociated with the bags category
  • five objects or pictures that belong to the bags category
  • four different objects
  • four selected items
  • one notecard or letter card with the first letter of the student's name written lowercase
  • one notecard or letter card with the first letter of the student's name written uppercase
  • one object or picture in the book category
  • one photograph of a familiar person
  • one photograph of a familiar place
  • three objects or pictures associated with the clothes category
  • three objects or pictures not in the book category
  • three objects or pictures that are not associated with the clothes category
  • three objects or pictures that are not associated with the hat category
  • three objects or pictures that are not associated with the money category
  • three objects or pictures that belong to the hat category
  • three objects or pictures that belong to the money category
  • two familiar objects that belong to the student
  • two familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction
  • two pairs of identical objects
  • two pairs of similar (but not identical) objects
  • two photographs of unfamiliar 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

  • four different objects
  • one backpack or backpack represented in a tactile graphic
  • one bag with a handle
  • 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 hat or hat represented in a tactile graphic
  • one pair of pants with a pocket
  • 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 shoe with a shoelace
  • one sock or sock represented in a tactile graphic
  • one toothbrush or toothbrush represented in a tactile graphic
  • one towel or towel represented in a tactile graphic
  • three unfamiliar objects
  • three familiar objects that belong to the student
  • two familiar, identical objects
  • two pairs of tactually identical objects
  • two pairs of tactually similar 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 selected objects
  • four unfamiliar objects
  • one crayon
  • one cup
  • one hairbrush that has bristles and a handle
  • one hat
  • one jacket which has a hood, sleeves, and a zipper
  • one marker
  • one mitten
  • one pen
  • one photograph of a familiar person
  • one photograph of a familiar place
  • one piece of clay
  • one piece of paper
  • one scarf
  • one shoebox that has a lid, an inside, and sides
  • one sweater
  • tape
  • three different familiar objects that belong to the student
  • three objects or pictures that are associated with the clothes category
  • three objects or pictures that are not associated with the clothes category
  • three objects or pictures that are not associated with the cups 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
  • two non-preferred objects
  • two packing boxes that have lids, insides, and sides
  • two photographs of an unfamiliar person
  • two photographs of an unfamiliar place
  • two toothbrushes that have bristles and handles
  • two coats which have a hood, sleeves, and a 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

  • one bowl or a picture of a bowl
  • one box or a picture of a box
  • one chair or a picture of a chair
  • one clock or a picture of a clock
  • one coat or a tactile graphic of a coat
  • one glove or a tactile graphic of a glove
  • one shirt or a tactile graphic of a shirt
  • one shoe or a picture of a shoe
  • one sock or a picture of a sock
  • one table or a picture of a table
  • three familiar objects
  • 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 make a list
  • any objects the student uses to pack a bag
  • any objects the student uses to read a book
  • any objects the student uses to say goodbye
  • any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction
  • examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction
  • five different objects
  • five pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property
  • four photographs of unfamiliar people
  • four unfamiliar objects
  • one ball
  • one book
  • one bowl
  • one drum
  • one flower
  • one jacket
  • one letter card or notecard with a letter that does not appear in the student's name
  • one letter card or notecard with the first letter of the student's name
  • one object the student uses to eat lunch
  • one object the student uses to put away their backpack
  • one object the student uses to wash their hands
  • one paintbrush
  • one pair of shoes
  • one pencil
  • one slipper
  • paint
  • resource material (e.g., an informational text, an informational poster, digital sources)
  • three notecards
  • three objects from the familiar arrival to school routine
  • three objects from the familiar getting ready for school routine
  • three objects from the familiar going outside routine, all of which should be from the same routine but have unique properties
  • three objects from the familiar packing a backpack routine
  • three objects from the familiar packing a bag routine
  • three objects or pictures not of a shoe
  • three objects or pictures of a shoe
  • three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the clothes category
  • three objects or pictures that belong to the clothes category
  • two familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction
  • two familiar objects that belong to the student
  • two pairs of identical objects
  • two photographs of familiar people
  • two photographs of familiar places
  • two photographs of unfamiliar places
  • two pieces of paper

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

  • four tactually different objects
  • one bag or bag represented in a tactile graphic
  • one ball
  • one blanket
  • one block
  • one book
  • one dry eraser
  • one piece of chalk
  • one pillow
  • one shirt or shirt represented in a tactile graphic
  • one sock or sock represented in a tactile graphic
  • one symbolic representation of a ball
  • one symbolic representation of a blanket
  • one symbolic representation of a block
  • one symbolic representation of a book
  • one symbolic representation of a piece of a dry eraser
  • one symbolic representation of a piece of chalk
  • one symbolic representation of a pillow
  • one symbolic representation of a sock
  • three familiar objects that belong to the student
  • three objects or objects represented in tactile graphics that are not a bag, shirt, or sock
  • 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 different objects
  • one backpack
  • one ball
  • one bottle
  • one colored pencil
  • one crayon
  • one cup
  • one familiar book
  • 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 person associated with art
  • one person associated with lunch
  • one piece of paper
  • one spoon
  • three familiar objects from the same category
  • three familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view
  • three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the animal category
  • three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the ball category
  • three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the dishes category
  • three objects or pictures that belong to the animal category
  • 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 brush
  • one crayon
  • one cup
  • one doll
  • one hat
  • one jacket
  • one jar
  • one marker
  • one notebook
  • 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 brush
  • one symbolic representation of a crayon
  • one symbolic representation of a cup
  • one symbolic representation of a doll
  • one symbolic representation of a hat
  • one symbolic representation of a jacket
  • one symbolic representation of a jar
  • one symbolic representation of a marker
  • one symbolic representation of a notebook
  • 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 objects or objects represented in a tactile graphic
Grade 8

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 8

  • examples of informational topics used during instruction
  • one backpack
  • one book
  • one familiar object from a second familiar routine
  • one flashlight
  • one object for doing homework
  • one object for eating
  • one object for going outside
  • one object for packing a backpack
  • one object for waking up
  • one object for washing your hands
  • one object not for doing homework
  • one object not for eating
  • one object not for going outside
  • one object not for packing a backpack
  • one object not for waking up
  • one object not for washing your hands
  • one object or picture in the clothes category
  • one object or picture in the dish category
  • one object or picture not in the clothes category
  • one object or picture not in the dish category
  • one pair of sunglasses
  • one pen
  • one pencil
  • one piece of clothing
  • one ruler
  • ten notecards
  • the person associated with greeting the student
  • 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 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
  • two hats
  • two pieces of clothing
  • writing tools
Grades 9–10

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grades 9-10

  • examples of informational topics used during instruction
  • fifteen notecards
  • four objects or pictures from the farm animals subgroup of the animals category
  • 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
  • three objects from a familiar studying routine
  • three objects or pictures from the clothes category
  • three objects or pictures from the dishes category
  • three objects or pictures from the worker category
  • three objects or pictures not from the clothes 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 notebooks category
  • two objects or pictures from the writing utensils category
  • two objects or pictures from the zoo animals subgroup of the animals category
  • writing tools
Grades 11–12

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grades 11-12

  • examples of informational topics used during instruction
  • 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
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with being in the snow
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with going outside
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with going to the park
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with library time
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with movie time
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with reading a book
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with talking on the phone
  • one symbolic representation of an action associated with washing hands
  • resource materials that include some vocabulary words used in instruction
  • three familiar objects, two of which are from a first familiar routine that belong to a specific category and one that is from a second familiar routine from a different category
  • three objects from the hand washing routine
  • three objects or pictures from the money category
  • three objects or pictures from the plant category
  • three objects or pictures not from the money category
  • three objects or pictures not from the plant category
  • writing tools