The Nunavummi Reading Series is a unique Nunavut-made levelled reading program that aligns the reading expectations of the Inuit language, 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 the tools they need to ensure that children are equally challenged and successful in all the languages represented in Nunavut.
For southern educators, this program 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 supports this diversity.
Below is a brief summary of each level in the Nunavummi Reading Series from Kindergarten to Grade 2. These levels build on the reader’s skills as they move progressively from wordless picture books 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.
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: 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 symbols
- **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: 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
- 1–2 sentences per page
- 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
- Generally 1–2 sentences per page
- 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
- Generally 1–3 sentences per page
- 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
- Generally 2–4 sentences per page
- 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 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
- Generally 2–5 sentences per page
- 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