English Language Arts Materials Collections
Spring 2016 Window
DLM testlets sometimes call for the use of specific materials or manipulatives. Materials are identified in
the Testlet Information Page (TIP) for each testlet. Sometimes materials are required and cannot be
substituted, but substitutes are allowed in most cases. Each TIP states whether materials are needed for a
testlet. If materials are to be used in a testlet, 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 objects, see the TEST ADMINISTRATION MANUAL section titled TeacherAdministered Tests.
Since the DLM system uses dynamic routing to assign a linkage level for each testlet, the TIP is provided
when each testlet is assigned. That means the materials needed in order to assess each student are
unknown before the test window opens.
To give test administrators more opportunity to prepare for the ELA assessment before the testing window
opens, DLM has compiled a list of materials commonly needed in ELA testlets. 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. When materials are described in parentheses, these are examples of
objects that can be used in some of the testlets. Again, materials may be substituted unless the TIP
specifically states “No substitutions allowed.”
Hints for using this list:
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Find things that already exist in the classroom or are easily found somewhere in the building.
Pick materials that are familiar to the student.
Look at the whole list for each grade and find objects that can meet multiple purposes. What types
of objects are mentioned more than once?
Remember that in most cases it will be okay to substitute materials as long as they are like the ones
on the list. Examples of possible substitutions are found in the table below.
Example Materials Description
2 sets of identical objects packaged together
(packs of crayons, pencils, markers)
2 objects that are the same size, and one
object that is smaller than the other two
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Possible Substitution
use two identical packs of flash cards
use two flash cards that are the same size and a
playing card
Rev. 02/15/16 page 1
Grade
3
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets
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Any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction
1 familiar object that has been used in shared reading and during instruction and 1
different familiar object and associated pictures and resource materials 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, and resource material (e.g., an informational text, an informational
poster, digital sources)
1 familiar object that belongs to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
1 photograph of a familiar person
2 photographs of unfamiliar people
1 photograph of a familiar place
2 photographs of unfamiliar places
3 familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view
1 pair of similar, but not identical, objects
2 familiar, identical objects
2 storybooks
1 textbook
2 toy cars that have doors, wheels, and windows
1 toy truck that has doors, wheels, and windows
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with a car ride
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with drawing
2 crayons that have points
1 pencil that has a point
2 glue sticks that have caps
1 marker that has a point and a cap
2 pens that have points and caps
2 baseball hats
1 cowboy hat
1 ruler
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Students Who Are Blind or Have
Visual Impairments
3 familiar objects that belong to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
2 familiar, identical objects
2 backpacks with zippers and pockets
1 bag with a zipper and a pocket
2 markers with caps
1 glue stick with a cap
3 familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view
1 pair of tactually similar, but not identical, objects
1 toy cat or cat represented in a tactile graphic
1 toy rabbit or rabbit represented in a tactile graphic
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Rev. 02/15/16 page 2
Grade
4
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets
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Grade
4
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Any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction
2 or more familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction
1 notecard or other letter card with the first letter of the student's name written
uppercase
1 notecard or other letter card with the first letter of the student's name written
lowercase
Examples of informational topics that have been used in shared reading and during
instruction
2 objects or pictures that belong to the clothes category
2 objects or pictures that belong to the dishes category
1 photograph of a familiar person
2 photographs of unfamiliar people
1 photograph of a familiar place
2 photographs of unfamiliar places
4 selected objects
1 pair of similar, but not identical, objects
1 pair of identical objects
1 familiar object that belongs to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
2 familiar, identical objects
1 desk
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Students Who Are Blind or Have
Visual Impairments
1 desk
2 familiar, identical objects
3 familiar objects that belong to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
5 selected objects
1 pair of tactually identical objects
1 pair of tactually similar, but not identical, objects
1 pitcher or pitcher represented in a tactile graphic
1 cup or cup represented in a tactile graphic
1 toy car or car represented in a tactile graphic
1 toy tire or tire represented in a tactile graphic
1 sweater or sweater represented in a tactile graphic
1 hat or hat represented in a tactile graphic
1 mitten or mitten represented in a tactile graphic
2 objects or pictures that belong to the clothes category
1 shirt with sleeves
1 book with pages
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Rev. 02/15/16 page 3
Grade
5
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets
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Grade
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Any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction
2 or more familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction
Examples of informational topics about the student's personal experiences (e.g., a familiar
school routine, a school activity, a school trip)
2 pairs of similar, but not identical, objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
2 objects or pictures that belong to the silverware category
1 photograph of a familiar person
2 photographs of unfamiliar people
1 photograph of a familiar place
2 photographs of unfamiliar places
4 selected objects
2 familiar objects that belong to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
2 preferred objects
1 non-preferred object
1 clock
2 pairs of familiar, identical objects
2 spoons
1 fork
1 shelf
1 chair
1 desk
1 shoe
1 piece of paper
1 pencil
1 eraser
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Students Who Are Blind or Have
Visual Impairments
3 familiar objects that belong to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
2 preferred objects
1 non-preferred object
4 selected objects
1 clock
1 book
1 pencil
1 backpack
1 toy dog or dog represented in a tactile graphic
1 toy bus or bus represented in a tactile graphic
1 necklace or necklace represented in a tactile graphic
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Rev. 02/15/16 page 4
Grade
6
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets
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Grade
6
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Any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction
2 or more familiar objects that have been used in shared reading and during instruction
Examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction and resource
material (e.g., an informational text, an informational poster, digital sources)
2 objects or pictures that belong to the dishes category
3 objects related to the familiar brushing teeth routine
1 pair of identical objects
1 pair of similar, but not identical, objects that are the same except for one property, such
as color, size, shape, or texture
1 familiar object that belongs to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
1 photograph of a familiar person
2 photographs of unfamiliar people
1 bird toy
1 lion toy
1 turtle toy
Any object the student uses to say 'hi'
3 objects from the familiar packing a bag routine
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Students Who Are Blind or Have
Visual Impairments
2 familiar objects that belong to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
1 pair of tactually identical objects
1 pair of tactually similar, but not identical, objects
2 objects that are tactually different
1 toy rabbit or rabbit represented in a tactile graphic
1 toy bear or bear represented in a tactile graphic
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Rev. 02/15/16 page 5
Grade
7
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets
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Grade
7
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Any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction
1 familiar book used in instruction
2 familiar objects related to the topic of the familiar book that are from the same category
(e.g., in a book about animals, two figures of animals) and 1 familiar object from a
different category than the other two
Examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction and resource
material (e.g., an informational text, an informational poster, digital sources)
1 playing card
1 marker
1 ball
1 bracelet
1 set of keys
1 lunchbox
2 pairs of similar, but not identical, objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
3 objects or pictures that belong to the clothing category
1 glove
1 person associated with giving the student his or her lunch
1 person associated with cleaning the school
1 dish
1 object that can serve as a screen (i.e., bandana, box, piece of cardboard, etc.)
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets for Students Who Are Blind or Have
Visual Impairments
1 ribbon and a symbolic representation of ribbon
1 shoe and a symbolic representation of a shoe
1 bracelet and a symbolic representation of a bracelet
1 pencil and a symbolic representation of a pencil
1 ruler and a symbolic representation of a ruler
1 bottle of glue and a symbolic representation of a bottle of glue
1 basketball or basketball represented in a tactile graphic
3 familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Rev. 02/15/16 page 6
Grade
8
Common Materials Used to Administer Testlets
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Any writing tools used by the student in regular instruction
2 familiar objects used as part of a familiar routine (e.g., getting ready for lunch, getting
ready to leave school at the end of the day) that belong to a specific category and 1
familiar object from a different familiar routing that belongs to a different category
Examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction
1 object needed to brush teeth
1 object needed to comb or brush hair
1 spoon
1 cup
2 pairs of similar, but not identical, objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
1 paintbrush
1 marker
1 eraser
1 object needed to floss teeth
The person associated with serving the student lunch
The person associated with checking out books to the student
Any writing tools used in regular instruction
3 or more familiar objects from a familiar routine (two objects must be from one
subgroup of a broad category and one object must be from a second subgroup of the
broad category; as an example using "reading a favorite book about animals" as a
familiar routine, two objects could be from a subgroup "pets" (e.g., a dog and a cat) and
one object from a subgroup "wild animals" (e.g., a lion))
Examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction and resource
material (e.g., an informational text, an informational poster, digital sources) that
includes some vocabulary words about the topic that have been used in instruction
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with cleaning
the house
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with washing
dishes
4 objects or pictures from the subgroup "animals that live in the house"
2 objects or pictures from the subgroup "animals that live in the barn"
2 objects or pictures that belong to the silverware category
2 objects or pictures that belong to the nature category
Any writing tools used in regular instruction
3 or more familiar objects from a familiar routine (two objects must be from one
subgroup of a broad category and one object must be from a second subgroup of the
broad category; as an example using "reading a favorite book about animals" as a
familiar routine, two objects could be from a subgroup "pets" (e.g., a dog and a cat) and
one object from a subgroup "wild animals" (e.g., a lion))
Examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction and resource
material (e.g., an informational text, an informational poster, digital sources) that
includes some vocabulary words about the topic that have been used in instruction
3 objects or pictures that belong to the drawing utensil category
2 objects or pictures from the subgroup "clothing"
2 objects or pictures from the subgroup "ways to get to school"
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with opening a
locker
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Rev. 02/15/16 page 7
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Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with turning
pages in a book
Any writing tools used in regular instruction
2 familiar objects (e.g., a figure of a dog and a cat) from a familiar routine (e.g., reading
a book about animals) that belong to a specific category (e.g., pets), one familiar object
(e.g., a ball) from a different familiar routine (e.g., exercise) that belongs to a different
specific category (e.g., sports)
1 letter card or notecard with the first letter of the student's first name
1 letter card or notecard with any letter not found in the student's first name
Examples of informational topics that have been used during instruction and at least
two resource materials (e.g., informational texts, an informational poster, digital
sources) that include some vocabulary words about the topic that have been used in
instruction
2 objects or pictures that belong to the snack category
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with using the
phone
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with standing
in line
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with planting
seeds
Any symbol representations needed that represent an action associated with watering
plants
ELA Materials 2016 YE Spring Window
Rev. 02/15/16 page 8