Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Visual Poster to Promote Listening Skills
Access FREE SEL materials today As elementary educators, fostering strong listening skills in young students is essential for creating a productive and respectful classroom environment. Listening plays a pivotal role in students' academic success and social-emotional...
Video Modeling Lessons on Riding the Bus
Access FREE SEL materials today As elementary educators, teaching students about bus safety can be a challenge. Ensuring they understand the importance of safety while riding the school bus is crucial, but traditional methods may not always engage young learners....
Social-Emotional Learning Fall Craft Activity
Access FREE SEL materials today As preschool educators, instilling essential social-emotional skills in our youngest learners is one of our top priorities. Teaching concepts like gratitude and thankfulness at an early age not only helps children build positive...
Help Students Understand their IEP
Access FREE SEL materials today Self-advocacy is one of the most important skills high school students need, particularly those who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Learning to navigate their own IEP helps students take charge of their educational...
Helping High Schoolers Advocate for their Accommodations
Access FREE SEL materials today Self-advocacy is an essential skill for high schoolers, especially for students who have specific learning needs and accommodations. Knowing how to effectively communicate one’s needs can be a game-changer in the classroom and beyond....
How Everyday Speech Supports Social Workers at Wilmette Public Schools
Jami Jacobs has been a school social worker at Central Elementary School in Wilmette, IL, for 23 years. Prior to using Everyday Speech, the school struggled to find a program that offered both communication and social skills curriculum for all students. After piloting...
Why School Culture Is Failing: The Unspoken Role of Social Skills in Teacher Burnout and Student Disengagement
Today, schools operate as intricate ecosystems, where school culture significantly shapes the well-being and achievement of students and educators. Amid escalating rates of teacher burnout, a mass exodus from the profession, and increasing student disengagement,...
Teaching Preschoolers to Keep Personal Space
Access FREE SEL materials today As special educators, we understand that teaching preschoolers about personal space can be a challenging yet essential task. Maintaining personal space is a crucial social skill that sets the foundation for positive peer interactions...
Helping Elementary Students Learn to Follow a Classroom Routine
Access FREE SEL materials today The back-to-school season is an exciting and crucial time for setting the tone for the entire school year. For elementary students, especially those with special needs, learning to follow a consistent classroom routine is essential....
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills to Elementary Students: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Problem-solving is a vital skill that helps students navigate the challenges they face in their daily lives. As educators, it is crucial to teach our students the steps to effectively solve problems, enabling them to become more independent and...
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills to High School Students
Introduction Problem-solving skills are essential for high school students as they navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges. By teaching students to identify problems, evaluate their size, and find solutions, educators can help them develop the ability to...
Small Talk: Building Connections in Special Education
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of small talk for students in special education settings and introduce a no-prep activity that educators can use to help their students develop this essential social skill. We will also provide discussion questions and...
Teaching Mindfulness in Special Education: Activities and Discussions
Integrating mindfulness into the special education classroom can greatly benefit students by helping them develop self-awareness, focus, and coping skills. This blog post will explore the concept of mindfulness, provide a no-prep activity for educators, and offer...
Teaching the Importance of Tone of Voice to Elementary Students
Introduction Our tone of voice plays a crucial role in how others perceive our message. When we use a condescending tone, we may unintentionally make the listener feel inferior or discouraged. It's essential to teach elementary students the importance of using an...
A Calming Corner for Kindergarten: Wiggling Body Scan Activity
Introduction Teaching young children how to recognize and manage their emotions is a crucial aspect of their development. In this blog post, we will explore a fun and simple activity called the Wiggling Body Scan that helps Kindergarten students learn how to check...
Emotions Bingo: A Fun Activity for Elementary Students
Introducing Emotions Bingo, a captivating and enjoyable game that helps children learn to recognize and understand various emotions. In this blog post, we'll explore an activity that requires no preparation, discussion questions to stimulate further conversation,...
Two Sides: A Social-Emotional Learning Activity for Special Education Students
Introduction In today's world, it is essential for students to develop a strong understanding of how their actions impact others. This is particularly true for special education students, who may need additional support in developing social-emotional skills. In this...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Power of Positive Thinking and Perseverance
Introduction As educators, we often encounter situations where our kindergarten students find something difficult and feel frustrated. It is crucial to teach them the importance of perseverance and positive thinking in overcoming challenges. By fostering an...
Understanding and Managing Emotions: A Guide for Educators
Introduction As educators, we often encounter situations where students struggle with their emotions. Helping them understand and manage their feelings can be a challenging task. This blog post focuses on guiding students to recognize when their emotions are starting...
Teaching PreK Students to Show Respect to Adults
Introduction Respect is an essential skill for young children to learn, as it helps them develop positive relationships with their teachers and peers. In school, showing respect to adults is crucial for maintaining a productive learning environment. By listening,...
Teaching Students to Understand Sarcasm: An Essential Social Skill
Introduction Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony where a person says something but means the opposite, often to be humorous or emphasize a point. It can be confusing, especially for students who are still developing their social-emotional skills. Recognizing and...
Act It Out! Role Playing Game for Teaching Empathy to Middle School Students
Introduction Empathy is a crucial skill for students to develop as they navigate the complexities of social interactions. As educators, we strive to help them understand and relate to the emotions of others. Welcome to Act It Out!, a role playing game designed to...
Teaching Kindergarten Students How to Join a Group Without Disrupting
Joining a group can be a challenging task for young children, especially when they are still developing their social skills. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that educators can use to teach Kindergarten students how to join a group without...
Guiding Special Education Students to Success in the Workplace
Teaching students the skills they need to become successful employees is an essential part of their education. In this blog post, we'll discuss strategies and activities that will help students understand the expectations and responsibilities of being an employee, as...