Remnant/Experience/Topic-Setter Books

A remnant or experience or topic-setter book is a book which contains the person's own news and events. It . . . incorporates remnants or memorabilia of news and/or events of the person's daily activities.

To make the book a person's own, it needs to include articles or objects from the activity rather than an written narrative from the caregiver. Examples of things to include might be the ticket stub from a movie, zoo, or amusement park trip; a leaf picked up on a walk; or a photograph (a polaroid camera is invaluable in immediately capturing experiences/activities to be shared).

An easy way of accommodating the remnants is in a photograph album that has the peel-back, cellophane pages. A brief directive or open-ended type questions can accompany the remnants. For example "Ask John where he went on the weekend". "Ask Susan who took her to the movies". etc. The person can answer the questions and offer further information by using his/her individual form of communication.

The purpose for using these remnant books is to spark conversations between the person and his/her communication partners (i.e. caregivers, parents, siblings, peers, etc.) The book provides meaningful and motivating opportunities to share information and ask and respond to questions. The remnant book is particularly conducive to facilitating interaction with peers since it is likely that most of them will relate to the experiences which will be in the person's book. Further, the remnant book can be a valuable activity for facilitating literacy development.

(Source: Elizabeth B. Walker, Bloorview Macmillan Children's Centre, 350 Rumsey Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8)