English Language Arts Materials Collections for Instructionally Embedded States

Spring 2026 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 substitutes 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 can find appropriate substitutions. For more information about substituting materials, see the TEST ADMINISTRATION MANUAL sections titled Teacher-Administered Testlets and Prepare to Administer a Testlet.

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, giving teachers the ability to identify 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. The most useful materials are familiar to the student and available before the teacher begins assigning testlets in the Instruction and Assessment Planner.

The following list contains commonly needed materials in ELA testlets and gives test administrators more opportunity to prepare for the ELA alternate assessment prior to the opening of the assessment window. The tables in this document summarize 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.
  • The 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 who teaches reading).

Contained in this document:

  • Lists by grade of materials commonly used in ELA testlets
  • Lists by grade of 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 these students, while others are general testlets that have been adapted to make them accessible for students who are blind or have visual impairments.

 

Grade 3

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 3

any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with cleanup time  
any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with game time  
any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with homework time  
any writing tools used by the student during instruction  
examples of informational topics  
five different objects  
five familiar objects  
five new objects  
four familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student’s view  
four selected objects  
one bag with pockets, zippers, and straps  
one boot with shoestrings and a sole  
one coat with sleeves, pockets, and a collar  
one colored pencil with a tip  
one hairbrush with a handle and bristles  
one large book with pictures  
one magazine with pages, text, and a cover  
one mitten with a thumb and a cuff  
one notebook with pages and ringed binding  
one object that relates to clothing  
one object that relates to kindergarten  
one pair of eyeglasses with lenses  
one pen with a tip and a cap  
one purse with pockets, straps, and zippers  
one sun visor with a visor, closure, and sweatband  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with art time  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with lunch  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with recess  
one textbook with words  
one toy cat with a tail and ears  
one water bottle with an open top  
one wide paintbrush with handles  
one wooden pencil with an eraser 
resource materials for the topic the student selects  
resource materials used during instruction  
two backpacks with pockets, straps, and zippers  
two baseball hats with visors, closures, and sweatbands  
two books with covers, pages, and text  
two coats with sleeves, pockets, zippers, and hoods  
two crayons with tips  
two cups with open tops  
two familiar, identical objects  
two gloves with thumbs and cuffs  
two jackets with sleeves, pockets, and collars  
two jackets with zippers, pockets, sleeves, and hoods  
two markers with tips and caps  
two mechanical pencils with erasers  
two notepads with pages and ringed bindings  
two pairs of identical objects  
two pairs of similar (but not identical) objects  
two pairs of sunglasses with lenses  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of familiar places  
two photographs of unfamiliar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places  
two picture books with words  
two regular pencils with erasers  
two shoes with shoestrings and soles  
two small books with pictures  
two small paintbrushes with handles  
two toothbrushes with bristles and handles  
two toy dogs with tails and ears  
two unfamiliar objects

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  
five objects or pictures that are unassociated with the chores category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the chores category  
five objects that are tactually different  
one backpack or backpack represented in a tactile graphic  
one blanket  
one book or book represented in a tactile graphic  
one box or box represented in a tactile graphic  
one bus stop sign or bus stop sign represented in a tactile graphic  
one cup or cup represented in a tactile graphic  
one paper bag or paper bag represented in a tactile graphic  
one pillow  
one shoe or shoe represented in a tactile graphic  
one sock  
one symbolic representation of a blanket  
one symbolic representation of a pillow  
one symbolic representation of a sock  
one toy bus or bus represented in a tactile graphic  
three objects or objects represented in tactile graphics  
three pairs of tactually similar (but not identical) objects  
two familiar, identical objects  
two pairs of tactually identical objects  
two unfamiliar objects

Grade 4

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 4

any writing tools used by the student during instruction  
examples of informational topics used during instruction  
five different objects  
five new objects  
five objects or pictures that belong to the clothes category  
five objects or pictures unassociated with the clothes category  
four photographs of unfamiliar people  
four unfamiliar objects  
nine selected objects  
one letter card or notecard with the first letter of the student's name written lowercase  
one letter card or notecard with the first letter of the student's name written uppercase  
one photograph of a familiar place  
three familiar objects that belong to the student  
three objects or pictures that belong to the cup category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the hat category  
three objects or pictures unassociated with the cup category  
three objects or pictures unassociated with the hat category  
three pairs of similar (but not identical) objects  
two or more familiar objects used during instruction  
two pairs of identical objects  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places

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 bandage or bandage represented in a tactile graphic  
one bird or bird represented in a tactile graphic  
one blanket or blanket represented in a tactile graphic  
one block or block represented in a tactile graphic  
one book or book represented in a tactile graphic  
one book with a cover  
one broom or broom represented in a tactile graphic  
one chair with a seat  
one eraser or eraser represented in a tactile graphic  
one hat or hat represented in a tactile graphic  
one jacket with sleeves  
one notebook or notebook represented in a tactile graphic  
one pair of pants or pants represented in a tactile graphic  
one pair of shorts or shorts represented in a tactile graphic  
one pencil or pencil represented in a tactile graphic  
one pencil with an eraser  
one photograph of a familiar place  
one piece of paper or paper represented in a tactile graphic  
one plant with at least one leaf  
one plate or plate represented in a tactile graphic  
one ruler or ruler represented in a tactile graphic  
one shoe or shoe represented in a tactile graphic  
one spoon with a handle  
one table with legs  
one toothbrush or toothbrush represented in a tactile graphic  
one towel or towel represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy or toy represented in a tactile graphic  
one umbrella with a handle  
three pairs of tactually similar (but not identical) objects  
two familiar, identical objects  
two pairs of tactually identical objects  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places  
two unfamiliar objects

Grade 5

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 5

any writing tools used by the student during instruction  
examples of informational topics about the student's personal experiences  
five different objects  
five pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property, such as color, size, shape, or texture  
four photographs of unfamiliar people  
four unfamiliar objects  
nine selected objects  
one ball  
one book  
one boot  
one crayon  
one cup  
one eraser  
one hat  
one jacket that has a hood, sleeves, and zipper  
one lump of clay  
one marker  
one mitten  
one napkin  
one pencil  
one photograph of a familiar place  
one piece of paper  
one ruler  
one shoe  
one sweater  
one toy truck with wheels, doors, windows, a roof, and headlights or tail lights  
three familiar objects that belong to the student  
three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the clothes category  
three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the food category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the clothes category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the food category  
three pairs of familiar, identical objects  
three preferred objects  
three similar objects 
two coats that have hoods, sleeves, and zippers  
two familiar objects used during instruction  
two non-preferred objects  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of unfamiliar places  
two toy cars with wheels, doors, windows, roofs, and headlights or tail lights

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 ball or ball graphic  
one book or book graphic  
one boot or boot graphic  
one boot or boot represented in a tactile graphic  
one box or box graphic  
one cup or cup graphic  
one hairbrush or hairbrush graphic  
one hat or hat graphic  
one mitten or mitten represented in a tactile graphic  
one pencil or pencil graphic  
one plant or plant represented in a tactile graphic  
one scarf or scarf represented in a tactile graphic  
one seed or seed represented in a tactile graphic  
one shirt or shirt graphic  
one sweater or sweater represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy baby or baby represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy car or car graphic  
one toy cat or cat graphic  
one toy dog or dog represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy duck or duck represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy house or house graphic  
one toy sheep or sheep represented in a tactile graphic  
three objects or object graphics  
two unfamiliar objects

Grade 6

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 6

any objects the student uses to eat lunch  
any objects the student uses to turn in homework  
any objects the student uses to wash hands  
any symbol representations for an action associated with arriving at school  
any symbol representations for an action associated with art class  
any symbol representations for an action associated with hand washing  
any symbol representations for an action associated with library time  
any symbol representations for an action associated with lunch  
any symbol representations for an action associated with packing a bag  
any writing tools used by the student during instruction  
examples of informational topics used during instruction  
fifteen notecards  
five different objects  
five objects or pictures that are unassociated with the book category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the book category  
five pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property, such as color, size, shape, or texture  
four photographs of unfamiliar people  
four unfamiliar objects  
one ball  
one bell  
one blanket  
one flower  
one jacket with a zipper  
one notecard with any letter not in student's first name  
one notecard with first letter of student's first name  
one shoe with laces  
one slipper  
resource materials  
three objects from the familiar going outside routine, all of which should be from the same routine but have unique properties (e.g., color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other  
three objects from the familiar packing a backpack routine, all of which should be from the same routine but have unique properties (e.g., color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other 
three objects from the familiar packing a bag routine that have unique properties  
three objects from the familiar routine about writing  
three objects or pictures that belong to the clothing category  
three objects or pictures unassociated with the clothing category  
two familiar objects that belong to the student  
two familiar objects used during instruction  
two pairs of identical objects  
two photographs of familiar people  
two photographs of familiar places  
two photographs of unfamiliar places

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  
five tactually different objects  
one bag  
one bag represented in a tactile graphic  
one ball  
one balloon or ballon represented in a tactile graphic  
one bar of soap or bar of soap represented in a tactile graphic  
one blanket  
one book  
one book represented in a tactile graphic  
one brush  
one chalkboard eraser or dry eraser  
one cup  
one flower  
one hat or hat represented in a tactile graphic  
one houseplant  
one jacket  
one jacket represented in a tactile graphic  
one napkin  
one pair of slippers  
one pair of tennis shoes  
one pen  
one pen represented in a tactile graphic  
one plate  
one rock or rock represented in a tactile graphic  
one shirt  
one shoe represented in a tactile graphic  
one spoon  
one symbolic representation of a bag  
one symbolic representation of a ball  
one symbolic representation of a blanket  
one symbolic representation of a brush  
one symbolic representation of a chalkboard eraser or dry eraser  
one symbolic representation of a cup   
one symbolic representation of a flower  
one symbolic representation of a houseplant  
one symbolic representation of a jacket  
one symbolic representation of a napkin  
one symbolic representation of a pair of slippers  
one symbolic representation of a pair of tennis shoes  
one symbolic representation of a plate  
one symbolic representation of a shirt  
one symbolic representation of a spoon  
one towel or towel represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy bird or bird represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy dog or dog represented in a tactile graphic  
one toy house or house represented in a tactile graphic  
three pairs of tactually similar (but not identical) objects  
two pairs of tactually identical objects  
two unfamiliar objects

Grade 7

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 7

any writing tools used by the student during instruction  
examples of informational topics and related resource materials  
five different objects  
five objects or pictures that are unassociated with the ball category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the 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 backpack  
one baseball  
one colored pencil  
one crayon  
one cup  
one familiar book used during instruction  
one glove  
one hat  
one jar  
one marker  
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 spoon  
one stocking cap  
six familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student’s view  
the person associated with giving the student lunch  
the person associated with reading to the student  
the person associated with teaching the student art  
the person associated with teaching the student physical education  
the person associated with visiting the nurse  
three familiar objects; two of which come from a first category and one that is from a second category  
three objects or pictures not of a sport  
three objects or pictures of a sport  
three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the art supplies category
three objects or pictures that are unassociated with the cup category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the art supplies category  
three objects or pictures that belong to the cup category

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

one bag  
one ball  
one ball or ball represented in a tactile graphic  
one beetle  
one blade of grass  
one book  
one book or book represented in a tactile graphic  
one bottle of water  
one bowl  
one brush  
one crayon  
one cup  
one cup or cup represented in a tactile graphic  
one glove or glove represented in a tactile graphic  
one hat  
one jar  
one leaf  
one marker  
one notebook  
one pen or pen represented in a tactile graphic  
one pencil  
one plate  
one ribbon  
one rock  
one sock  
one spoon or spoon represented in a tactile graphic  
one symbolic representation of a bag  
one symbolic representation of a ball  
one symbolic representation of a beetle  
one symbolic representation of a blade of grass  
one symbolic representation of a book  
one symbolic representation of a bottle of water  
one symbolic representation of a bowl  
one symbolic representation of a brush 
one symbolic representation of a crayon  
one symbolic representation of a cup  
one symbolic representation of a hat  
one symbolic representation of a jar  
one symbolic representation of a leaf  
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 ribbon  
one symbolic representation of a rock  
one symbolic representation of a sock  
one symbolic representation of a toy bug  
one symbolic representation of a vase  
one symbolic representation of a whistle  
one toy bug  
one vase  
one whistle  
three objects or objects represented in tactile graphics

Grade 8

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grade 8

examples of informational topics used during instruction  
five different objects  
five pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property, such as color, size, shape, or texture  
one backpack  
one book  
one hat  
one object needed to complete doing classwork  
one object needed to complete eating  
one object needed to complete packing your backpack  
one object needed to complete reading  
one object needed to complete washing your face  
one object or picture that belongs to the hat category  
one object or picture that belongs to the money category  
one object or picture unassociated with the hat category  
one object or picture unassociated with the money category  
one object that is needed to complete arriving to school  
one object that is needed to complete checking out a book  
one object that is needed to complete cleaning  
one object that is needed to complete cooking  
one object that is needed to complete filling out a planner  
one object that is needed to complete homework  
one object that is needed to complete leaving school  
one object that is needed to complete packing a bag  
one object that is needed to complete saying goodbye  
one object that is unassociated with arriving to school  
one object that is unassociated with checking out a book  
one object that is unassociated with cleaning  
one object that is unassociated with cooking  
one object that is unassociated with filling out a planner  
one object that is unassociated with homework  
one object that is unassociated with leaving school  
one object that is unassociated with packing a bag  
one object that is unassociated with reading  
one object that is unassociated with saying goodbye 
one object unassociated with packing your backpack  
one object unassociated with doing classwork  
one object unassociated with eating  
one object unassociated with washing your face  
one pair of sunglasses  
one pen  
one pencil  
one spoon  
one toothbrush  
ten notecards  
the person associated with checking out books  
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 art class  
the person associated with teaching music class  
the person associated with teaching the student to read  
three familiar objects; two of which are used as part of a first familiar routine from a specific category and one that is used as part of a second familiar routine from a different category  
two balls  
two cups  
two shirts  
two towels  
two writing utensils

Grades 9–10

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grades 9-10

any writing tools used by the student during instruction  
examples of informational topics used during instruction  
fifteen notecards  
five objects or pictures that are unassociated with the chores category  
five objects or pictures that are unassociated with the clothing category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the chores category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the clothing category  
one notecard with any letter not in student's first name  
one notecard with first letter of student's first name  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with cleaning up  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with computer time  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with doing schoolwork  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with free time  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with going outside  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with reading time  
resource material that includes vocabulary words used during instruction  
six objects or pictures from the broad category of animals; four of which come from the farm animals subgroup and two of which come from the zoo animals subgroup  
ten objects or pictures from the broad category of school; four of which come from the writing utensils subgroup, four of which come from the textbooks subgroup, and two of which come from the rulers subgroup 
three familiar objects from a familiar routine; two of which come from a first subgroup and one that is from a second subgroup  
three objects from the familiar homework routine  
three objects from the familiar math class routine, all of which should be from the same routine but have unique properties (e.g., color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other  
three objects or pictures not from the cups category  
three objects or pictures not of a toy  
three objects or pictures of a toy  
three objects or pictures that belong to the cups category

Grades 11–12

Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Grades 11-12

any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with getting the mail  
any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with greeting a friend  
any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with library time  
any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with making a phone call  
any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with PE class  
any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with washing your hands  
examples of informational topics used during instruction  
fifteen optional notecards  
five objects or pictures that are unassociated with the plant category  
five objects or pictures that belong to the plant category  
nine symbolic representations  
one notecard with any letter not in student's first name  
one notecard with first letter of student's first name  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with class time  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with field trips  
one symbolic representation of an action associated with shopping time  
resource materials that include some vocabulary words used in instruction  
three familiar objects; two which are from a first familiar routine and one that is from a second familiar routine 
three objects from a familiar shopping routine with unique properties  
three objects from the familiar homework routine, all of which should be from the same routine but have unique properties (e.g., color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other
three objects or pictures from the cups category  
three objects or pictures that are not from the cups category  
two or more resource materials that include some vocabulary words used in instruction  
writing tools