The Life Skills series was developed to equip the busy classroom teacher with practical and relevant ideas for enhancing essential life skills in individual students. This innovative four-book series aims to fill the gap between the frameworks set out by national bodies and the delivery of sensitive, yet meaningful, lessons in the everyday class. Many of the topics that are dealt with in this series are specifically designed for a particular event that may arise in the classroom. Activities can be used in one-on-one discussions or as whole class activities, depending on the situation. The materials are designed for middle to upper primary students, however, the ideas and information are appropriate for all school aged children.

The Life Skills: Grief, Illness and Other Issues book deals with the sensitive issues of coping with grief and loss, serious illness, permanent injury and physical disability. This book is an ideal resource for teachers who may have a terminally ill child in their class, or have a student/students with siblings suffering a terminal illness. Other sections deal with emotions and outcomes as a result of having experienced a serious accident resulting in permanent physical disability. Activities and extension ideas endeavour to highlight how life can continue on after such events by analysing personal and physical strengths. Stories of inspiration have been included as well as stories that describe situations of loss and disability within families. Life Skills: Grief, Illness and Other Issues also provides opportunities for students to devise ways to help people who have suffered a loss or injury, through exploring the work of charity organisations.

Each book in this series contains extensive background notes for teachers, parents and students. Many sections contain annotated resource lists for multimedia, literature and general classroom resources. Extension ideas are given where possible and all activities are linked to student outcomes.

Author: Jane Bourke