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 to middle 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
(middle to late 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
(early to middle Grade 1)
- 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
(middle to late Grade 1)
- 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 to middle Grade 2)
- 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
(middle Grade 2)
- 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 2)
- 8–16 pages
- Sentences increase in length and complexity
- Punctuation includes mostly periods, with some question marks and exclamation marks
- Supportive images
Level 8
(early to middle Grade 3)
- 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
(middle Grade 3)
- 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 to late Grade 3)
- 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
(Grade 4)
- 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
(Grade 5)
- 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
(Grade 6)
- 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