Levelling
The Nunavummi reading series is a unique Nunavut-made levelled reading series that aligns the reading expectations of Inuktut (Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun), English, and French. The reading series corresponds closely to the reading levels and expectations developed by the Department of Education in Nunavut. This approach to literacy provides educators and parents with the tools they need to ensure that children are equally challenged and successful in all the languages represented in Nunavut.
For southern educators, this series represents an opportunity to infuse their levelled reading programs with authentic Northern perspectives and knowledge. Canada is a country of cultural, geographic, and linguistic diversity, and the Nunavummi reading series helps educators create a literacy program that reflects this diversity.
The books in the Nunavummi reading series are for readers from Levels 1 to 18 (roughly early Kindergarten to early Grade 6). These levels build on the reader’s skills as they move progressively from simple sentences to complex short stories and non-fiction informational books.
Note: Grade ranges are provided merely as a guide and may not reflect the developmental stage of a given individual reader.
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Level 1
(early Kindergarten)
- 8–12 pages
- No text; images only
- Highly engaging photos or illustrations tell a story in sequence
- Introduces children who cannot yet read to how books work
Note: Some books at this level are available only in Inuktitut.
Level 2
(early to middle Kindergarten)
- 8–12 pages
- One symbol per page
- Focuses on the sounds of the language
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the syllabic
Note: Books at this level are available only in Inuktitut.
Level 3
(middle to late Kindergarten)
- 8–12 pages
- One word per page
- No punctuation
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the words
Note: Some books at this level are available only in Inuktitut.
Level 4
(late Kindergarten)
- 8–12 pages
- One sentence per page
- Sentences are very short, basic, and repetitive
- Basic punctuation (periods only)
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the sentences
Level 5
(early Grade 1)
- 8–12 pages
- One sentence per page
- Sentences become longer and more varied
- Punctuation includes mostly periods, with very few question marks and exclamation marks
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the sentences
Level 6
(early to middle Grade 1)
- 8–12 pages
- More complicated and varied sentences
- Punctuation includes mostly periods, with some question marks and exclamation marks
- Highly supportive images help readers decode the sentences
Level 7
(middle to late Grade 1)
- 8–16 pages
- Sentences increase in length and complexity
- Punctuation includes mostly periods, with some question marks and exclamation marks
- Supportive images
Level 8
(late Grade 1)
- 12–24 pages
- Sentences increase in length and complexity
- Dialogue is introduced in fiction texts, indicated by the word “said”
- Supportive images, but more information now coming from the text
Level 9
(early Grade 2)
- 16–32 pages
- Longer, more complex sentences
- Varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts
- Supportive images, but more information now coming from the text
Level 10
(middle Grade 2)
- 16–32 pages
- Generally 2–5 sentences per page
- Sentences and stories become longer and more complex
- Varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts
- Readers rely more on the words than the images to decode the text
Level 11
(late Grade 2)
- 24–32 pages
- Sentences become complex and varied
- Varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts and is necessary to understand the story
- Readers rely more on the words than the images to decode the text
Level 12
(early Grade 3)
- 24–40 pages
- Sentences are complex and vary in length
- Lots of varied punctuation
- Dialogue is included in fiction texts and is necessary to understand the story
- Readers rely on the words to decode the text; images are present but only somewhat supportive
Level 13
(middle Grade 3)
- 24–56 pages
- Sentences can be more complicated and are not always restricted to a structure that readers are familiar with
- Some unfamiliar themes and genres are introduced
- Readers rely on the words to decode the text; images are present but only somewhat supportive
Level 14
(late Grade 3)
- 24–64 pages
- Chapter books are introduced
- Readers may be exposed to new genres (such as science fiction, mysteries, biographies) and unfamiliar themes and settings
- Illustrations are somewhat supportive and may not be included on every spread of pages
Level 15
(early Grade 4)
- 40–100 pages
- Fiction books are usually chapter books
- Readers are exposed to unfamiliar concepts and multiple perspectives
- Variety in genres (such as mysteries, fantasies, biographies, guide books) is seen more frequently
Level 16
(late Grade 4)
- Wide variation in book length
- Books explore topics that are less familiar to readers and expose readers to different perspectives related to ability, ethnicity, language, and culture
- Problems in fiction books are more complex
- Variety in genres (such as mysteries, fantasies, biographies, guide books) is seen more frequently
Level 17
(early Grade 5)
- Wide variation in book length
- Information is presented in a variety of text features
- Readers are exposed to genres that require high-level processing, including literary classics, myths and legends, fantasy, and poetry
- Topics extend the reader’s knowledge and broaden global understanding
Level 18
(early Grade 6)
- Wide variation in book length
- Information is presented in a variety of ways with no visuals or with visuals that are complex and challenging
- Readers are exposed to more abstract texts and unfamiliar subjects, features, perspectives, and language
- In-depth subject areas such as science, geography, and history might be addressed