Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Middle School Self-Esteem Poster: Strategies to Build Confidence
Middle school is one of the most formative stages for shaping how students see themselves. Every interaction, success, and setback influences how they think about their value—and whether they believe they’re capable of growth. The Building Confidence goal poster from...
How Everyday Speech Supports Balanced Screen Time in Schools
As more districts move to reduce screen time in schools, the challenge isn’t just about limiting how long students are on screens—it’s about making sure that technology use is intentional and impactful. District leaders are navigating how to maintain the benefits of...
Free Elementary Activity: Teach the Difference Between Teasing and Bullying
For elementary students, teasing and bullying can be confusing. Hurtful moments may be brushed off as jokes, and students may not always know when to speak up—or how to describe what they’re experiencing. The Bullying vs. Teasing worksheet from Everyday Speech helps...
How Everyday Speech Supports the New Massachusetts IEP
The new Massachusetts IEP brings a major shift in how schools approach individualized education plans, with a stronger emphasis on student-centered learning, self-advocacy, and transition planning. These updates are designed to ensure that students take a more active...
The Best No-Prep Problem-Solving Activities for PK-12 Students
Problem-solving is an essential skill that helps students navigate challenges in academics, relationships, and daily life. Whether working through a math problem, resolving a disagreement, or making a decision about time management, problem-solving encourages critical...
5 Proactive Strategies to Reduce Disproportionality in Special Education
Special education services are essential for students who need them, but systemic disparities in how students are identified and placed can lead to disproportionality. In many schools, certain student groups—particularly students of color, English language learners,...
Building Student Agency: Strategies for Managing Anxiety and Mental Health
The Principal’s Guide to Strengthening Behavior and School Culture with Social Skills Supports
As a principal, you’re always looking for ways to improve student behavior, build a positive school culture, and support teachers—but time and resources are limited. When classrooms struggle with behavior challenges, it affects learning, teacher morale, and the...
Free Preschool Problem-Solving Activity: Who Can Help?
Preschoolers are still learning how to navigate everyday challenges—whether it’s tying their shoes, feeling sad, or losing a favorite toy. At this age, one of the most important problem-solving skills they can develop is knowing who to ask for help in different...
No-Prep Activities
Enhancing Listening Skills for PreK Students: Activities and Strategies
Introduction As educators working with PreK students, we understand the importance of cultivating strong listening skills in the classroom. When students listen attentively, they are better able to learn and absorb new information. This not only helps them understand...
Teaching Social-Emotional Skills through Everyday Conversations
Introduction Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is essential for students to develop healthy relationships, self-awareness, and effective communication skills. One of the key aspects of SEL is learning how to engage in meaningful conversations. This blog post will focus...
Teaching Elementary Students to Read Body Language and Understand Emotions
As educators, it is essential to equip our students with the ability to understand and respond to emotions. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a critical component of a child's development, helping them to become more empathetic and better communicators. In this blog...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the On Purpose Plan: Understanding Accidental vs. Purposeful Actions
Introduction It's essential for Kindergarten students to learn the difference between accidental and purposeful actions. This understanding can help them manage their emotions and reactions in various situations. By teaching them the On Purpose Plan, educators can...
Teaching Staying on Topic: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Staying on topic is an essential skill for students to develop in order to engage in meaningful and productive conversations. For students in Special Education, learning how to stay on topic can be particularly challenging, but it is crucial for their...
Using the Conversation Stoplight: Helping Students Join Conversations at the Right Time
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of teaching students in special education settings the skill of joining conversations at the right time. The Conversation Stoplight is a helpful tool that educators can use to facilitate this process. We will provide a...
Building Friendships: An Engaging Activity for Educators
Introduction Friendships are an essential part of a student's social-emotional development. As educators, it's important to teach students how to make friends, maintain healthy relationships, and recognize the qualities of a good friend. This blog post will discuss an...
Incorporating Inclusion: Teaching Students the Value of Including Everyone
Introduction As educators, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment in our classrooms. One key aspect of this is teaching our students the importance of not leaving anyone out. This blog post discusses a no-prep activity that can help middle school...
Teaching PreK Students to Stay on Topic: An Essential Social-Emotional Skill
Introduction Staying on topic is an important social skill for PreK students to develop. It ensures that conversations flow smoothly and helps to build strong relationships with peers and adults. In this blog post, we will discuss the concept of staying on topic and...
Topic Radar: Fostering Inclusive Conversations for Special Education Students
Introduction For educators working with students in Special Education, enhancing their communication skills is essential for fostering meaningful relationships and promoting inclusivity. One effective approach is using the concept of Topic Radar. Topic Radar...
Solve It: A Step-by-Step Problem-Solving Game for Special Education Students
Introduction Problem-solving is a critical skill for students in special education settings. The Solve It game is designed to help these students navigate social situations by breaking down problems into manageable steps. This game not only encourages students to...
Being Tuned In: A Key Skill for Students in Special Education
Introduction Being Tuned In involves being aware of our own actions and the actions of others around us. This skill helps students ensure that their actions are appropriate for the current situation, time, and place. By practicing Being Tuned In, students can avoid...
Teaching Body Language Awareness to Elementary Students
In today's world, communication goes beyond just words. Body language plays a significant role in conveying emotions and messages. For children, understanding and interpreting body language can be a crucial skill in building positive relationships and effective...
Teaching PreK Students the Importance of Covering Sneezes for Social-Emotional Growth
Introduction In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching PreK students about proper sneezing etiquette and hygiene practices as part of their social-emotional learning journey. By helping young learners understand the significance of covering their...
Teaching Students to Read Social Situations: An Essential Skill for Effective Communication
Introduction As educators, we know that social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial for our students' growth and development. One key aspect of SEL is the ability to read social situations, which involves observing and interpreting the feelings and emotions of others...
