Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Middle School Problem-Solving Activity: Learning to Compromise
Middle school students encounter situations that require compromise every day—choosing group project topics, negotiating plans with friends, or sharing common spaces at home and school. However, learning how to find solutions that work for everyone takes practice....
Free Middle School Problem-Solving Activity: Understanding the Problem Scale
Middle schoolers encounter challenges every day—forgetting homework, dealing with friendship conflicts, missing the bus, or feeling overwhelmed by assignments. But not every problem is the same. Some are small and can be solved independently, while others are more...
Problem-Solving Activity for Elementary: Finding Solutions
Every day, elementary students face challenges—whether it’s figuring out how to fix a mistake, navigating a disagreement with a classmate, or deciding what to do when they forget an assignment. The ability to think through these situations and make thoughtful...
How Everyday Speech Creates Engaging Video Lessons for Secondary Students
Engaging middle and high school students in relevant, collaborative learning experiences is a challenge many educators face. Research shows that student engagement is linked to critical outcomes such as academic achievement, school completion, and overall well-being....
Free High School Problem-Solving Activity: Brainstorming Solutions
High school students encounter challenges every day—balancing academics, managing friendships, dealing with frustration, and making tough decisions about the future. Without effective problem-solving skills, they may feel stuck, react impulsively, or struggle to find...
Teaching the Problem-Solving Process: Free Poster & Lesson Plan for Elementary Students
Every day, elementary students face challenges—whether it’s figuring out how to fix a mistake, resolve a disagreement, or make a tough decision. But without a clear process, students may feel frustrated, stuck, or unsure of what to do next. That’s why teaching a...
Free Preschool & Kindergarten Problem-Solving Activity: My Problem-Solving Toolbox
Problem-solving is one of the most important skills young learners can develop. Every day, preschoolers and kindergarteners face small challenges—sharing toys, taking turns, finding missing items, or figuring out what to do when something doesn’t go as planned. At...
Free Problem-Solving Lesson Plan for High School: The Problem Scale
High school students face challenges every day—missed assignments, social conflicts, test anxiety, and big decisions about the future. Without the right skills, they may feel overwhelmed, react impulsively, or struggle to find effective solutions. One of the most...
Free Preschool Problem-Solving Activity: How to Ask for Help
Preschoolers are still learning how to navigate everyday challenges—whether it’s needing help tying their shoes, asking for a turn with a toy, or figuring out how to express their feelings. One of the most important skills they can develop at this age is learning how...
No-Prep Activities
Two Sides: A Game to Teach Flexibility and Emotional Management
Introduction In the ever-changing world we live in, it is essential for students to learn how to adapt and manage their emotions in different situations. The Two Sides game is a fun and engaging activity designed to teach students the concepts of being flexible and...
Teaching Compromise: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction In the realm of social-emotional learning, teaching students the importance of compromise is crucial. Compromise helps maintain positive relationships and resolves conflicts quickly. This blog post will provide educators with an easy-to-implement, no-prep...
Teaching Personal Space: A No-Prep Activity for PreK Educators
Introduction Personal space is an essential concept for young children to learn, as it helps them develop a sense of boundaries, respect, and empathy for others. By teaching students the importance of personal space, educators can help them build strong...
Social-Emotional Learning Strategies for Parties: Topic Radar, Restaurant Rules, and Self-Controller
Introduction Helping middle school students develop essential social skills can be challenging, especially in dynamic social settings like parties. This blog post will discuss three Social-Emotional Learning strategies to help students navigate parties and social...
Humor in PreK Friendships: Activities and Tips for Educators
Humor plays a crucial role in the development of friendships and social connections among PreK students. As educators, it's important to teach our young students the appropriate use of humor and help them navigate different social situations with ease. In this blog...
Changing the Channel on Strong Emotions: Strategies for High School Students
Introduction Strong emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness can sometimes cloud our judgment and hinder our decision-making abilities. In order to make better decisions, it is crucial to learn how to manage these emotions and shift our focus to positive thoughts....
Teaching Students in Special Education to Act Interested When They’re Not
Introduction As educators, we strive to teach our students various social-emotional skills that will help them succeed in life. One such skill is learning how to act interested when someone is talking about something that may not be particularly engaging. It's...
PreK Party Skills: Topic Radar, Restaurant Rules, and Self-Controller
Introduction Attending parties and social events can be both exciting and challenging for PreK students. To help them navigate these situations, we can teach them three essential skills: Topic Radar, Restaurant Rules, and Self-Controller. These skills enable students...
Teaching Students to Stay Calm and Solve Problems Effectively
Introduction When students face problems or conflicts, it's common for them to feel upset and frustrated. However, reacting emotionally can turn small issues into bigger ones, affecting their relationships with peers. In this blog post, we'll discuss an...
Teaching Students to Adapt Their Behavior in Social Settings
Introduction As educators, one of our primary goals is to help our students develop and grow in their social skills. One essential skill in this area is the ability to adapt behavior according to the social context. This includes observing others, interpreting social...
Unlocking Self-Control: The Power of the Self-Controller Scanner
Introduction Self-control is a vital skill that allows us to manage our feelings and behaviors, even in challenging situations. It helps us resist impulsive actions and prevent our emotions from taking over our minds and actions. The Self-Controller Scanner is a...
Teaching PreK Students to Observe and Understand Others’ Emotions
As educators, it's essential to help our young students develop the ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others. This skill plays a crucial role in forming healthy relationships and fostering a positive learning environment. In this blog post, we will...
Teaching Students to Be Tuned In: Strategies for Special Education
Introduction Being tuned in is a crucial skill for students to develop, as it allows them to be more aware of their actions and the actions of others. By understanding the importance of the time and place for certain behaviors, students can make better decisions and...
Enhancing Communication Skills through Background Briefs
Introduction Effective communication is an essential skill for students to develop. It enables them to express their thoughts and feelings, as well as understand others. One crucial aspect of communication is considering the listener's perspective. When sharing a...
Enhancing Communication in Relationships for Middle School Students
Introduction Healthy and happy relationships are built on effective communication. Clear communication helps to avoid misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and confusion. This blog post focuses on improving communication in relationships for middle school students. We...
