English Language Arts Materials Collections
Spring 2015 Window
English language arts testlets sometimes call for the use of specific materials or manipulatives. Materials
are identified in the Testlet Information Page (TIP) for each testlet. Some materials are required and cannot
be substituted, but substitutes are allowed in most cases. For more information about substituting objects,
see the TEST ADMINISTRATION MANUAL section titled Teacher-Administered 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, DLM has compiled a list
of materials commonly needed in ELA testlets. The tables in this document summarize lists of items per
grade level. When specific items are listed in parentheses, these are examples of objects specifically
mentioned in some of the testlets. Again, most objects may be substituted unless otherwise noted on the
TIP.
Hints:
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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.
Example: for 2 sets of identical objects packaged together (packs of crayons, pencils, markers)
 The test administrator might use two identical packs of flash cards.
This document first covers materials that can be used in initial precursor level testlets. At the end you
will find materials that can be used in testlets above the initial precursor level. For lists of materials
commonly used in alternate testlets designed for students with visual impairments, please refer to separate
materials collections on your DLM Educator Resource Page.
DLM Spring 2015 Common ELA Materials List - IM
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Grade
Third
Fourth
Common Materials for Initial Precursor Testlets
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2 familiar, identical objects
3 new objects
3 familiar objects
2 books which have words, pages, and a cover
1 magazine which has words, pages, and a cover
pens and markers which have tips and caps
crayons and colored pencils with tips
2 jackets which have zippers, pockets, sleeves, and hoods
2 coats which have zippers, pockets, sleeves, and hoods
2 cups which have open tops
1 water bottle which has an open top
2 regular pencils which have erasers
1 mechanical pencil which has an eraser
2 backpacks which have straps and pockets
1 bag which has straps and pockets
2 notebooks
1 notepad
2 pairs of familiar, identical objects
2 pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
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 belong to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
1 chair
1 table
1 book
DLM Spring 2015 Common ELA Materials List - IM
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Grade
Fifth
Sixth
Common Materials for Initial Precursor Testlets
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4 selected objects
1 photograph of a familiar person
2 photographs of unfamiliar people
3 familiar objects that belong to the student
2 unfamiliar objects
1 photograph of a familiar place
2 photographs of unfamiliar places
1 cup
1 hat
1 pair of mittens
2 coats which have hoods, sleeves, and zippers
1 jacket which has a hood, sleeve, and zipper
3 pairs of familiar, identical objects
1 pencil
1 paintbrush
1 bottle of glue
1 book
1 pair of shoes
3 pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
1 book
1 bowl
1 spoon
3 objects or pictures that belong to the clothing category
Any objects the student uses to turn in homework
Any objects the student uses to wash hands
Any objects the student uses to eat lunch
3 familiar objects that belong 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
1 newspaper
1 book
Money
DLM Spring 2015 Common ELA Materials List - IM
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Grade
Seventh
Eighth
Ninth &
Tenth
Common Materials for Initial Precursor Testlets
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1 pencil
1 book
1 spoon
3 objects or pictures that belong to the sports category
1 cup
1 paintbrush
1 dollar bill
1 backpack
1 jar
1 pen
1 object that can serve as a screen (i.e., bandana, box, piece of cardboard, etc.)
3 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 cup category
3 familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view
3 pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
2 towels
2 hats
2 shirts
1 object that is needed for eating
1 object that is needed for reading
1 object that is needed to complete classwork
1 object that is needed to complete washing your face
1 object that is needed to complete packing your backpack
1 cup
1 pair of sunglasses
1 comb
1 napkin
1 fork
1 straw
3 objects or pictures that belong to the toy category
3 objects related to the familiar homework routine which have unique properties (e.g.,
color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other
3 objects or pictures that belong to the dishes category
4 objects from the subgroup "shirts"
2 objects from the subgroup "shoes"
3 objects related to the familiar shopping routine which have unique properties (e.g.,
color, size, shape, texture) that distinguish them from each other
3 objects or pictures that belong to the cups category
DLM Spring 2015 Common ELA Materials List - IM
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There are a few testlets above the initial precursor level that are designed to be administered by the
teacher. Materials needed for those testlets are listed in the table below.
Grade
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Common Materials for Teacher-Administered Testlets Above the Initial Precursor Level
• 3 familiar objects that belong to the student
• 4 unfamiliar objects
• 1 photograph of a familiar place
• 2 photographs of unfamiliar places
• 3 selected objects
• 3 familiar objects that can be easily removed from the student's view
• 2 pairs of identical objects
• 2 pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
• 1 photograph of a familiar person
• 2 photographs of unfamiliar people
• 2 backpacks which have pockets, zippers, and straps
• 1 bag which has a pocket, zipper, and strap
• 3 objects or pictures that belong to the cup category
• 3 objects or pictures that belong to the money category
• 3 objects or pictures that belong to the food category
• 3 pairs of similar (but not identical) objects that are the same except for one property,
such as color, size, shape, or texture
DLM Spring 2015 Common ELA Materials List - IM
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