Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Tier 1 Supports That Work: Free Resources to Support Your Students
A strong foundation of support is key to helping all students succeed academically, socially, and behaviorally. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) provides a proactive framework that ensures students receive what they need, starting at Tier 1—universal...
Free Lesson Plan & Worksheet for High School: Problem-Solving in Groups
Collaboration is an essential skill for high school students. Whether they’re working on a group project, participating in team sports, or solving real-world challenges, they need to know how to work together, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts...
Free Middle School Problem-Solving Activity: Identifying the Problem
Middle school students encounter challenges daily—navigating friendships, managing schoolwork, handling emotions, and making decisions. However, one of the biggest obstacles to solving problems effectively is not recognizing the actual problem in the first place. Many...
Nonverbal Communication Activities & Lessons for the Classroom
Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in how students express themselves, understand others, and navigate social interactions. From tone of voice to facial expressions and body language, students rely on nonverbal cues to interpret meaning, build relationships,...
Strengthening Executive Functioning in Students: Lessons, Strategies, and Resources
Executive functioning skills are critical for student success, particularly for those receiving support through special education, counseling, and intervention services. These skills impact a student's ability to stay organized, regulate emotions, follow multi-step...
Nonverbal Communication Activity: Visual Referencing for Middle School
Download Activity and Lesson Plan As special educators, we understand the unique challenges middle schoolers face, particularly when it comes to nonverbal communication. Many students in this age group struggle with making eye contact during social interactions. While...
Free Tone of Voice Activity for High School Students
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Many high school students struggle with nonverbal communication, particularly in understanding and using tone of voice effectively. Whether it’s detecting sarcasm, expressing emotions appropriately, or adjusting their tone based on...
Nonverbal Communication Activity: Visual Referencing for Elementary
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Visual referencing is a key nonverbal communication strategy that helps students engage in conversations without the pressure of direct eye contact. Often referred to as social referencing, this skill allows learners to observe and...
Mindfulness Activities for Kids: Fun & Simple Ways to Teach Calm and Focus
Helping kids develop mindfulness skills is one of the most powerful ways to support their emotional well-being, focus, and self-regulation. Whether at home, in the classroom, or in therapy sessions, mindfulness activities provide children with the tools they need to...
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...
