Bookbug Explorer Bag symbol resources (2023)

CALL Scotland(this link will open in a new window) have created a pack of symbol resources to accompany each of the books in the Bookbug Explorer Bag, released in March 2023. The symbol resources can be used with pupils with additional support needs (ASN) and those with communication difficulties as well as children with English as an additional language (EAL). The symbol resources consist of:

• Go Talk 9+ overlays (for recorded speech output) or can simply be printed out and used as low tech symbol boards which the child can point to as they talk about each story.
• Big Mack switch tops and Little Step switch tops for the repetitive phrases in the story, which can be used by those with complex communication support needs.
• Vocabulary sheets to go with each board are provided to help parents and staff record and use the appropriate vocabulary for each story.
• Digital communication boards with recorded speech for the free iOS app Soundingboard(this link will open in a new window).

The symbol resources are related to the following books, all of which are included in the Bookbug Explorer Bag:

• How to Catch a Rainbow by Naomi Jones and Ana Gomez
• One Banana, Two Bananas by Adam and Charlotte Guillain and Sam Lloyd
• Follow the Trail Trucks by DK

How to use the symbol resources

If you're looking for further tips on how these resources can be used, CALL Scotland have lots of useful resources to get you started(this link will open in a new window).