Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. A resource under development aimed at children with fair reading skills who do not pick up on all the meaning behind the words. Three stories with suggested activities based on published research as to what helps children focus on implied information. Feedback comments welcome.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Print on A4 to file in a Display Folder. Use for practice in odd moments and frequent revision. 4 pages including MONTHS and SEASONS, DAYS OF THE WEEK, O'CLOCK TIME, and ALL ABOUT ME. You can build up a useful long-term resource by adding a vocabulary page for every new topic. Could also be used for EAL.

Illustrated with Widgit symbols. Three further stories following the same format as before. Text for retelling, straightforward questions and suggestions for inferential questions. Includes mind-map about reading for meaning.

Print 2-up single-sided on paper. Do cut and stick pairing of cartoon and bubble. 4 sets of 6 per page. Errors can be useful as discussion starters. Extra page of cartoons has empty bubbles to be completed. Could be a useful activity for paired kids with mixed level of reading/writing skills. Also for EAL.

Traditional tale - The Lady and the Lion. Rather similar tales by the Brothers Grimm have been used for reference. Retold at three levels: simple plus symbol-support of Widgit/PCS symbols; early reading (RA 6-8y) with illustrations; longer version (RA 10-11y) to read aloud, with many opportunities for spoken language tasks. Additional activities: colouring; read / match caption to picture and sequence the story; writing frame booklet with 12 pictures as prompts; tessellations. With Guide.

Print on A4 card and cut AS SPECIFIED for the listening and speaking game. Designed for practising sounds that are often difficult and need generalisation work. Guide gives more detail.

Traditional tale - A French fairy tale Blondine, Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon renamed as Blondie, Doe and Looker. A fairy tale retold at three levels: simple plus symbol-support of Widgit/PCS symbols, early reading with illustrations, longer version to read aloud with many opportunities for spoken language tasks. Additional activities: colouring, read / match caption to picture and sequence. This tale is well-suited to PSHE / Virtues Programme work.

Traditional tale – The Magic Horse. A tale originally called The Ebony Horse from 1001 Arabian Nights. Retold at three levels: plus symbol-support of Widgit/PCS symbols; early reading with illustrations; longer version (RA 11y approx.) to read aloud, with many opportunities for spoken language tasks. Additional activities: colouring; read / match caption to picture and sequence the story; Write-about outline booklet with 8 pictures as prompts; tessellations. With Guide.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Four of the many words which cover cognitive concepts and confuse lots of children. Pair meaning two which go together, whole versus hole, half, and understanding that ‘the other one’ can refer to anything depending on the context! Print on A4 paper. The multi-page files can be printed 2-up. Could be used for EAL as well.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Print both files on A4 paper, single-sided. Children could cut out job descriptions if appropriate. Match to alphabet pages and stick. Lots to talk about. Suitable for EAL.

A set of ClipArt pictures and word cards. The activity is to ask questions in a barrier game and select word cards to match the replies and build sentences. Other suggested activities plus thoughts about asking questions orally or with worksheets to target different developmental levels. Two files. Mat with word cards made with Widgit’s CIP.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. A collection of rhyming words to sort to match the 'rimes' and another specifically with Vowel-Consonant-e (VCe or magic-e) endings. Cut up and sort. Use the words in making up spoken or written sentences. Provide sentences with missing words which can be completed with one of the cards etc.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Match, sort, group, choose, associate, exclude. Four examples of many basic categories. Additional set includes some early history and other topics. An ideas map outlines the development of language skills in this area for children in Preschool and Foundation and four books detail graded activities you can carry out with these cards or other card sets (e.g. topic pictures). Useful for children with or without language delay/disorder. Could also be used for EAL work.

Illustrated with Widgit and PCS symbols. Children need to associate pictures and explain why they go together. Also to read/guess what the book says from the pictures. All three items useful for discussion and could be used for EAL too.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Vocabulary and Activity pages including Spot the Difference, Pairs, Chain Game, and Dominos. See guide for printing.

Lists of regular phonic spellings in short sequences. For ear-training. What has changed? One phoneme changes for each new word. Use with a good set of plastic letters where digraph consonants and vowels are presented as single units.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Print 2-up and double-sided on A4 to make a folded 'booklet' (or single-sided on card to cut into separate cards). Each file focuses on a verb and contains four examples. The symbol line targets sentences with a subject, verb and object. Easy to make your own extra booklets if you have Word and CIP available.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Three social stories about frequent problems. Print 2-up on paper to make stories to discuss. Although designed for a child with a social communication disorder, the stories can be used for general discussion within the PSHE orbit.

Notes about how we deliver the message rather than what the message is. Language learning is integral to teaching.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. A large file for clear photos in two parts. (The alternative single Smaller MATCH file will take less time to download but the photos are not quite as sharp.) Print 2-up single-sided on A4 card. One page of suggestions for working on matching with severely delayed children. One page on how to move on and/or work with other more able children, possibly in a mixed ability group. 11 common objects are shown as photos and symbols in two sizes.