DLM has created many helpful resources to assist with teaching Reading Essential Elements standards in the classroom. Take advantage of the many different strategies and materials that they provide to guide differentiated instruction. Resources are linked to standards with corresponding text resources. Download and print the resources for reference.
"One of the challenges in providing students with the most significant disabilities with access to the general curriculum is finding materials that link directly to the grade level content, but are written at a level that is accessible. As part of the DLM project we have been building a library of companion texts that go with the exemplar texts called out in the Appendix of the College and Career Readiness Standards. These books are accessible, open-source texts that you and your students can read online, on a reader that uses epub files, or offline as Powerpoint files or printed versions of the books. The books come from the collection of books at Tar Heel Reader. Many of the books were written by teachers across the U.S., Canada, and other English speaking countries."
Tar Heel Reader (http://tarheelreader.org).
"One of the challenges in providing students with the most significant disabilities with access to the general curriculum is finding materials that link directly to the grade level content, but are written at a level that is accessible. As part of the DLM project we have been building a library of companion texts that go with the exemplar texts called out in the Appendix of the College and Career Readiness Standards. These books are accessible, open-source texts that you and your students can read online, on a reader that uses epub files, or offline as Powerpoint files or printed versions of the books. The books come from the collection of books at Tar Heel Reader. Many of the books were written by teachers across the U.S., Canada, and other English speaking countries."
Tar Heel Reader (http://tarheelreader.org).
Anchor-Read-Apply Lesson Supports Linked to DLM Essential Elements
Building Bridges from Emergent to Conventional Literacy
The aim of Building Bridges is to promote achievement in English language arts and literacy for students with significant cognitive disabilities who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This will be accomplished by developing a collection of training and support resources for teachers and related professionals.
www.buildingbridges-ela.com/
www.buildingbridges-ela.com/
Lesson Supports
Modified 6th Grade Text
Dynamic Learning Maps® English Language Arts Familiar Text Information – Grade 6
"This document includes information about the familiar texts used in single-Essential Element testlets in grade 6 Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) alternate assessments. In the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are given the opportunity to become familiar with the books they will encounter in the assessment. These familiar texts are used in all Initial Precursor level testlets and in some other linkage levels for some Essential Elements. Unfamiliar texts are used in some linkage levels for some Essential Elements where access to the text prior to administration is not necessary for the student to demonstrate their understanding. Descriptions of the familiar texts and their features are provided for each Essential Element and linkage level. Educators are encouraged to use this information as a resource for planning instruction. Familiar text information is grouped by Essential Element. Essential Elements for Reading Literature (RL) use stories. Essential Elements for Reading Informational Text (RI) use informational texts. Essential Elements for Language (L) use both stories and informational texts. Texts with an asterisk (*) contain material that some students may find sensitive. Links to each familiar text are included in this document. Educators are free to use familiar texts in instruction."
https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/sites/default/files/documents/Familiar_Texts/IE_Familiar_Text_Grade_6.pdf
"This document includes information about the familiar texts used in single-Essential Element testlets in grade 6 Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) alternate assessments. In the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are given the opportunity to become familiar with the books they will encounter in the assessment. These familiar texts are used in all Initial Precursor level testlets and in some other linkage levels for some Essential Elements. Unfamiliar texts are used in some linkage levels for some Essential Elements where access to the text prior to administration is not necessary for the student to demonstrate their understanding. Descriptions of the familiar texts and their features are provided for each Essential Element and linkage level. Educators are encouraged to use this information as a resource for planning instruction. Familiar text information is grouped by Essential Element. Essential Elements for Reading Literature (RL) use stories. Essential Elements for Reading Informational Text (RI) use informational texts. Essential Elements for Language (L) use both stories and informational texts. Texts with an asterisk (*) contain material that some students may find sensitive. Links to each familiar text are included in this document. Educators are free to use familiar texts in instruction."
https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/sites/default/files/documents/Familiar_Texts/IE_Familiar_Text_Grade_6.pdf
ELA.EE.RI.6.1 Analyze a text to determine what it says explicitly as well as what inferences should be drawn.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Distal Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can differentiate between text and pictures or braille and tactile graphics/objects that accompany the text.
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- People, objects, and events will be depicted in pictures and clearly associated with the content of the text.
- Home includes family members and home-based routines, like getting ready in the morning or helping with dinner.
- School includes teachers, friends, and school-based routines, like packing a bag.
- The neighborhood includes friends, neighbors, and play routines, like taking a walk or going to the park.
- Texts will include photo depictions that relate to the content of the text.
DLM-Specific Text
- Little Women
- How to Write a Story - Writing stories can be fun. This text provides options for writing topics and directions for writing a story.
- Holes
- Learning to Read - People learn to read by practicing with their teachers. This text provides steps for practicing reading.
- Anne of Green Gables
- School Days - Students have busy schedules at school. This text describes an example of a school day.
- Packing a Bag - It is important to pack everything needed before taking a trip. This text describes some things a person might pack before traveling.
- Visiting an Island - This text describes what an island is, what to pack to visit an island, how to travel to an island, and what things to do during a visit to an island.
Distal Precursor
- Can identify pictures or tactile graphics/objects that go with a familiar text
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- People, objects, and events will be depicted in pictures and clearly associated with the content of the text.
- Home includes family members and home-based routines, like getting ready in the morning or helping with dinner.
- School includes teachers, friends, and school-based routines, like packing a bag.
- The neighborhood includes friends, neighbors, and play routines, like taking a walk or going to the park.
DLM-Specific Text
- Little Women
- How to Write a Story - Writing stories can be fun. This text provides options for writing topics and directions for writing a story.
- Holes
- Cafeteria Lunches - Some people eat their lunch in cafeterias. This text gives directions for getting lunch in a cafeteria.
- Making Friends - This text is about the fun of making friends. People can make friends in their neighborhood, tell them their name, and play outside. It is fun to make friends!
- Anne of Green Gables
- Ready for Bed - It is important to get ready before going to sleep. This text describes a bedtime routine.
- Packing a Bag - It is important to pack everything needed before taking a trip. This text describes some things a person might pack before traveling.
- Visiting an Island - This text describes what an island is, what to pack to visit an island, how to travel to an island, and what things to do during a visit to an island.
ELA.EE.RI.6.5 Determine how the title fits the structure of the text.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Distal Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can demonstrate understanding of action words during familiar routines.
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- People and objects are associated with familiar routines that are performed in these contexts.
- Action words are used to describe routines.
- Action words include any verb or verb phrase that describes what a person is doing.
DLM-Specific Text
- Little Women
- How to Write a Story - Writing stories can be fun. This text provides options for writing topics and directions for writing a story.
- Holes
- Cafeteria Lunches - Some people eat their lunch in cafeterias. This text gives directions for getting lunch in a cafeteria.
- Writing Letters - Some people like to write letters to each other. This text describes how people write letters and what they write about.
- Making Friends - This text is about the fun of making friends. People can make friends in their neighborhood, tell them their name, and play outside. It is fun to make friends!
- Anne of Green Gables
- Ready for Bed - It is important to get ready before going to sleep. This text describes a bedtime routine.
- Exploring Nature is Fun - People can learn a lot by exploring nature. This text describes nature and the supplies a person would need to go exploring.
- School Days - Students have busy schedules at school. This text describes an example of a school day.
- Packing a Bag - It is important to pack everything needed before taking a trip. This text describes some things a person might pack before traveling.
- Visiting an Island - This text describes what an island is, what to pack to visit an island, how to travel to an island, and what things to do during a visit to an island.
Distal Precursor
- Can identify concrete details in familiar informational texts.
General Text Description
- Texts include information about familiar contexts and routines.
- People, objects, and events are associated with these contexts and routines.
- Texts include concrete details, which are pieces of specific information such as facts, data, or listed options.
- These concrete details help to explain or justify a claim.
DLM-Specific Text
- Little Women
- How to Write a Story - Writing stories can be fun. This text provides options for writing topics and directions for writing a story.
- Holes
- Pigs All Around - Not all pigs are the same. This text describes pigs and how they can be different from one another.
ELA.EE.RI.6.6 Identify words or phrases in the text that describe or show the author’s point of view
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Distal Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can demonstrate understanding of property words corresponding to the objects used during familiar routines.
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- The texts describe routines or actions that are associated with familiar contexts and provide details about objects associated with routines.
DLM-Specific Text
- Holes
- Writing Letters - Some people like to write letters to each other. This text describes how people write letters and what they write about.
- Anne of Green Gables
- Packing a Bag - It is important to pack everything needed before taking a trip. This text describes some things a person might pack before traveling.
- Visiting an Island - This text describes what an island is, what to pack to visit an island, how to travel to an island, and what things to do during a visit to an island.
Distal Precursor
- Can identify concrete details in familiar informational texts.
General Text Description
- Texts include information about familiar contexts and routines.
- People, objects, and events are associated with these contexts and routines.
- Texts include concrete details, which are pieces of specific information such as facts, data, or listed options.
- These concrete details help to explain or justify a claim.
DLM-Specific Text
- Little Women
- Libraries - Libraries are for everyone. This text describes libraries and the things people do in libraries.
ELA.EE.RI.6.8 Distinguish claims in a text supported by reason.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can determine similar or different based on physical characteristics.
General Text Description
- Object characteristics are describing words related to objects, and this includes names as well as describing words associated with a particular object.
- Texts include objects that are associated with familiar contexts.
- Words to describe how objects are similar or different from one another are used.
DLM-Specific Text
- Little Women
- Hobbies - Hobbies are activities that people do to have fun or relax. This text describes hobbies and what people do for hobbies.
- Take Care of Your Hair - It is important for people to take care of their hair. This text gives directions for a type of hair care routine.
- Music Class - This text is about the different types of instruments a student could choose to play in music class as well as learning to read music and to practice their instrument.
- Holes
- Pigs All Around - Not all pigs are the same. This text describes pigs and how they can be different from one another.
- Anne of Green Gables
- Ready for Bed - It is important to get ready before going to sleep. This text describes a bedtime routine.
Modified 7th Grade Text
"This document includes information about the familiar texts used in single-Essential Element testlets in grade 7 Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) alternate assessments. In the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are given the opportunity to become familiar with the books they will encounter in the assessment. These familiar texts are used in all Initial Precursor level testlets and in some other linkage levels for some Essential Elements. Unfamiliar texts are used in some linkage levels for some Essential Elements where access to the text prior to administration is not necessary for the student to demonstrate their understanding. Descriptions of the familiar texts and their features are provided for each Essential Element and linkage level. Educators are encouraged to use this information as a resource for planning instruction. Familiar text information is grouped by Essential Element. Essential Elements for Reading Literature (RL) use stories. Essential Elements for Reading Informational Text (RI) use informational texts. Essential Elements for Language (L) use both stories and informational texts. Texts with an asterisk (*) contain material that some students may find sensitive. Links to each familiar text are included in this document. Educators are free to use familiar texts in instruction.''
https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/sites/default/files/documents/Familiar_Texts/IE_Familiar_Text_Grade_7.pdf
"This document includes information about the familiar texts used in single-Essential Element testlets in grade 7 Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) alternate assessments. In the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are given the opportunity to become familiar with the books they will encounter in the assessment. These familiar texts are used in all Initial Precursor level testlets and in some other linkage levels for some Essential Elements. Unfamiliar texts are used in some linkage levels for some Essential Elements where access to the text prior to administration is not necessary for the student to demonstrate their understanding. Descriptions of the familiar texts and their features are provided for each Essential Element and linkage level. Educators are encouraged to use this information as a resource for planning instruction. Familiar text information is grouped by Essential Element. Essential Elements for Reading Literature (RL) use stories. Essential Elements for Reading Informational Text (RI) use informational texts. Essential Elements for Language (L) use both stories and informational texts. Texts with an asterisk (*) contain material that some students may find sensitive. Links to each familiar text are included in this document. Educators are free to use familiar texts in instruction.''
https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/sites/default/files/documents/Familiar_Texts/IE_Familiar_Text_Grade_7.pdf
ELA.EE.RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Distal Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can match a real object with a picture or other symbolic representation of the object.
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- Objects named in the text will be depicted in the text’s photos.
DLM-Specific Text
- Black Ships Before Troy
- Ancient Greece - Greece has a long history. This text describes Ancient Greek culture
- Hatchet
- Camping Adventures - Camping can be fun. This text describes what people should bring with them and what they can do when they go camping.
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Distal Precursor
- Can identify pictures or tactile graphics/objects that go with a familiar text
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- People, objects, and events will be depicted in pictures and clearly associated with the content of the text. Home includes family members and home-based routines, like getting ready in the morning or helping with dinner.
- School includes teachers, friends, and school-based routines, like packing a bag.
- The neighborhood includes friends, neighbors, and play routines, like taking a walk or going to the park.
DLM-Specific Text
- Black Ships Before Troy
- What Does a King Do? - This text provides a general description of where kings live and what they can do.
- Hatchet
- Moose - This text provides a general description of where moose live, what they look like, and what they do.
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
- The Fair - This text describes the people, food, and events at a fair.
- Observations - People can learn by observing. This text describes ways people can observe and the tools they use to learn.
ELA.EE.RI.7.3 Determine how two individuals, events or ideas in a text are related.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can draw conclusions based on category knowledge (early inductive reasoning).
General Text Description
- Texts include familiar contexts.
- Routines performed in these contexts and objects associated with routines are described.
- These objects belong to a broader category, like arts and crafts or pet supplies.
DLM-Specific Text
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
- The Fair - This text describes the people, food, and events at a fair.
- Observations - People can learn by observing. This text describes ways people can observe and the tools they use to learn.
ELA.EE.RI.7.5 Determine how a fact, step, or event fits into the overall structure of the text
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Distal Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Understands that objects have a function
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts.
- Routines or events that occur within these contexts are described.
- Objects associated with contexts, routines, or events are explicitly named and described in the texts.
DLM-Specific Text
- Black Ships Before Troy
- Ancient Greece - Greece has a long history. This text describes Ancient Greek culture
- Hatchet
- Camping Adventures - Camping can be fun. This text describes what people should bring with them and what they can do when they go camping.
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
- The Fair - This text describes the people, food, and events at a fair.
- Observations - People can learn by observing. This text describes ways people can observe and the tools they use to learn.
Distal Precursor
- Can identify a concrete detail in early informational texts
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- People, objects, and routines/events are associated with these contexts.
- Words to describe contexts, people, objects, and routines/events are included in the texts.
DLM-Specific Text
- Black Ships Before Troy
- What Does a King Do? - This text provides a general description of where kings live and what they can do.
- Hatchet
- Moose - This text provides a general description of where moose live, what they look like, and what they do.
ELA.EE.RI.7.8 Determine how a claim or reason fits into the overall structure of an informational text.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Anticipates consequences of actions
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts and describe routines or actions associated with those contexts.
- Actions or routines are described in a linear pattern or progression, with one action logically following the completion of the previous action.
DLM-Specific Text
- Hatchet
- Camping Adventures - Camping can be fun. This text describes what people should bring with them and what they can do when they go camping.
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
- The Fair - This text describes the people, food, and events at a fair.
- Observations - People can learn by observing. This text describes ways people can observe and the tools they use to learn.
ELA.EE.RI.7.9 Compare and contrast how different texts on the same topic present the details.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can draw conclusions based on category knowledge (early inductive reasoning)
General Text Description
- Texts include familiar contexts.
- Routines performed in these contexts and objects associated with routines are described.
- These objects belong to a broader category, like arts and crafts or pet supplies.
DLM-Specific Text
- Black Ships Before Troy
- The Olympic Tradition - The Olympics started in Ancient Greece. This text describes what the Olympics are like today.
- Hatchet
- Camping Adventures - Camping can be fun. This text describes what people should bring with them and what they can do when they go camping.
- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
- Taking Care of Animals - Veterinarians are doctors for animals. This text describes veterinarians and what they do for animals.
Modified 8th Grade Text
"This document includes information about the familiar texts used in single-Essential Element testlets in grade 8 Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM® ) alternate assessments. In the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are given the opportunity to become familiar with the books they will encounter in the assessment. These familiar texts are used in all Initial Precursor level testlets and in some other linkage levels for some Essential Elements. Unfamiliar texts are used in some linkage levels for some Essential Elements where access to the text prior to administration is not necessary for the student to demonstrate their understanding. Descriptions of the familiar texts and their features are provided for each Essential Element and linkage level. Educators are encouraged to use this information as a resource for planning instruction. Familiar text information is grouped by Essential Element. Essential Elements for Reading Literature (RL) use stories. Essential Elements for Reading Informational Text (RI) use informational texts. Essential Elements for Language (L) use both stories and informational texts. Texts with an asterisk (*) contain material that some students may find sensitive. Links to each familiar text are included in this document. Educators are free to use familiar texts in instruction."
https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/sites/default/files/documents/Familiar_Texts/IE_Familiar_Text_Grade_8.pdf
"This document includes information about the familiar texts used in single-Essential Element testlets in grade 8 Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM® ) alternate assessments. In the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities are given the opportunity to become familiar with the books they will encounter in the assessment. These familiar texts are used in all Initial Precursor level testlets and in some other linkage levels for some Essential Elements. Unfamiliar texts are used in some linkage levels for some Essential Elements where access to the text prior to administration is not necessary for the student to demonstrate their understanding. Descriptions of the familiar texts and their features are provided for each Essential Element and linkage level. Educators are encouraged to use this information as a resource for planning instruction. Familiar text information is grouped by Essential Element. Essential Elements for Reading Literature (RL) use stories. Essential Elements for Reading Informational Text (RI) use informational texts. Essential Elements for Language (L) use both stories and informational texts. Texts with an asterisk (*) contain material that some students may find sensitive. Links to each familiar text are included in this document. Educators are free to use familiar texts in instruction."
https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/sites/default/files/documents/Familiar_Texts/IE_Familiar_Text_Grade_8.pdf
ELA.EE.RI.8.2 Provide a summary of a familiar informational text.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can inhibit irrelevant information
General Text Description
- Texts include both relevant and irrelevant information about familiar contexts and routines.
- Objects and their uses are associated with these contexts and routines.
DLM-Specific Text
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- Swimming - Swimming is fun to do at the pool or the beach. This text describes swimming, the supplies a person needs to swim, and the different places people can swim.
- Touching Spirit Bear
- Hospitals - Hospitals are where people go to get help. This text describes hospitals, the people in them, and what someone can do when a friend is in the hospitals.
- Hoot
- Service Dogs - Some dogs have jobs helping people. This text describes service dogs and how they help people.
ELA.EE.RI.8.6 Determine an author's purpose or point of view and identify examples from text that describe or support it.
Initial Precursor
General Text Description
DLM-Specific Text
Initial Precursor
- Can identify people associated with familiar routines.
General Text Description
- Texts include mostly familiar contexts such as home, school, or neighborhood.
- People, objects, events, and routines are associated with these contexts.
- Texts use descriptive words to associate people with familiar routines and contexts.
DLM-Specific Text
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- People at School - Schools are full of people who want to help. This text gives examples of people who work in schools and how they help.
- Touching Spirit Bear
- School Community - A community is a group of people who live near each other. This text describes the people in a school community and what they do.
- Nurses - Nurses are hard workers who help people stay healthy. This text describes the work of nurses at hospitals.
- Hoot
- Field Trips - Students go on field trips to learn. This text describes where some students go on field trips and what they learn there.
ELA.EE.RI.8.8 Determine the argument made by an author in an informational text.
