Name Kristen Nietzer
Title of Text/Material and Publisher
The American Heritage First Dictionary published by Houghton Mifflin
Grade Level/ESL Level
Kindergarten-5th grade
Does Not Meet Criteria
1.
illustrations/pictures
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2. has targeted
vocabulary
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3. relates to life
experiences
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Meets Criteria
Illustrations do not help in
understanding the meaning of
the text. (RB)
All or most
illustrations/pictures lack
captions (BV/RK)
All or most
illustrations/pictures of people
lack cultural diversity (BV/RK)

Vocabulary is not relevant to
students' experiences.
Vocabulary is not easy to
identify in text.
Context clues are not available
in text to help gain meaning of
new vocabulary. (MK)
Vocabulary terms do not have
a pronunciation key.(PP)
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Doesn't relate to the life
experiences of any students.
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Exceeds Criteria
Illustrations help in
understanding the meaning
of the text.(PP)
Some illustrations/pictures
contain captions (BV/RK)
Many illustrations/pictures of
people represent a variety of
cultures (BV/RK)

Vocabulary is relevant to
students' experiences.(PP)
Vocabulary is either boldfaced or highlighted.(PP)
Context clues provide some
insight into new vocabulary.
(MK)(PP)
Vocabulary terms have a
pronunciation key.

Relates to the life
experiences of some
students. (PP)
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Illustrations develop understanding
and are authentic. (RB)
All or most illustrations/pictures
contain captions (BV/RK)
All or most illustrations/pictures of
people represent a variety of cultures
(BV/RK)
Vocabulary is relevant to students'
experiences and user friendly.
Vocabulary is either bold-faced or
highlighted with definition included
on the same page.
Context clues strongly support new
vocabulary. (MK)
Vocabulary terms have a
pronunciation key and indicate part
of speech.
Relates to the life experiences of all
students.
4. American culture
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5. text features
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only references one
race/culture (AW)
places men and women in
their stereotypical roles (ie.
women at home, men at work)
(MW) (PP)
does not celebrate uniqueness
of culture and children are
unable to make personal
connection. (LS)

There are less than three text
features that help you locate and
learn information (table of
contents, bold or highlighted
words, vocabulary boxes,
glossary, pictures, charts, etc).
(CC) (PP)
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references more than one
race/culture(AW)
exhibits some
nonstereotypical roles
between men and women
but maintains some standard
traditional roles (MW)
celebrates uniqueness of
one specific diverse culture
where some children can
relate. (LS)
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There are three-four features
that help you locate and learn
information (table of contents,
bold or highlighted words,
vocabulary boxes, glossary,
pictures, charts, etc). (CC)

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references many races/cultures(AW)
exhibits men and women performing
cross-gender roles (ie. women
working, men staying home with
children, etc.) (MW)
celebrates uniqueness of multiple
cultures and allows children to make
personal connections. (LS)
There are five or more text features that
help you locate and learn information
(table of contents, bold or highlighted
words, vocabulary boxes, glossary,
pictures, charts, etc). (CC)
Rationale for rating: The dictionary has illustrations and photographs that help students understand the meanings of words. However, there is not a
picture for every word. There are only pictures for some words. None of the illustrations have captions and students must guess which picture
belongs with which word. A variety of cultures and races are exhibited in the drawings. Women and men are shown in cross-gender roles. For
example, a man was playing with his children and a woman was shown as a doctor. The vocabulary chosen for the dictionary is relevant to most
students’ experiences. However, if an ESL child was using this dictionary, there may be some words that are American culture specific. Words are
highlighted, but there is not pronunciation key. The dictionary really celebrates American cultures. There aren’t really many pictures of people in
other countries. There are many text features that help locate information in the dictionary such as guide words, pictures, charts, and even a page
showing children how to use the dictionary.