C is for Card Games, Coping strategies and Craft plus Currently!!

This year my A to Z Challenge has a double theme.  The first focuses on the resources and teaching that may help children with special educational needs learn more effectively and the second is to do with my crafting likes and ideas.

Card Games I was introduced to a pack of cards when I was very young by my Grandad who knew lots of super card tricks that involved all sorts of stories using the picture cards (Jack, Queen, King) as well as the other suits and number cards.  My Dad also taught me lots of card games when I got a little older as well as my Grandad teaching me lots of different games of patience/solitaire when we would go to his house on holiday.  He also gave me this great book when I was ten which was written by a psychologist at a children's learning centre in a hospital.

 In it are loads of games for children to help learn a variety of skills such as visual alertness, speedy reactions, learning number names, questioning, use of plurals etc  For each game an appropriate age level is given and how many players it is for as well as the skills it develops.

I too have used packs of playing cards in the classroom to teach these games - either for children to use when early finishers or for maths centres when working with an adult.  Once again I have been really happy with the way even young children are respectful to others when playing and have learnt co-operation even when playing against each other!!

One crucial point however when having packs of cards in a classroom is to mark each card back of the same pack with a letter so that cards do not get mixed up into different packs - believe me when I say it is very frustrating when two Queen of hearts turn up in the same pack!!

What were your favourite card games when you were young and what skills do you think you learnt through playing cards with others or by yourself?

Coping strategies are an area of need for some children to handle stress, anxiety or anger issues that may arise in the classroom.  Sometimes, these coping strategies can be taught through PSHE lessons for all children to benefit from but at other times some children may need to have 1:1 support or small group talks to practise these skills and decide which are appropriate for them. A good website for some ideas is http://www.thehelpfulcounselor.com/18-coping-skills-strategies-for-children-and-teens/ 

Please feel free to leave comments about coping strategies that have been successful for you or your children or any other links to sites with other suggestions.

Craft since moving house late last year I have been very fortunate in joining a craft group that meet once a fortnight for a two hour morning session at a local library.  We all bring along our own craft projects and get to have a natter, share ideas, swap patterns and supplies at times and help each other if necessary.  It is a lovely group of very lively ladies of a wide age range and I feel very honoured to have been so readily accepted into their circle.  We have a lot of laughs and it is so very pleasant to be among others who love colour, texture and creativity in all its forms :)  So far, I have brought along my rug making and knitting but I hope to be taught some basic crocheting skills this year by others in the group who are amazing at this as well as bringing along some cross stitch, embroidery and tapestry work later on after I have finished some of my present knitting projects!!

Currently - still wanting to join in the fun with Farley and her Currently linky party

Almost forgot - my freebie for the letter C is:

A tasty treat for practising phonics!!