Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free High School Worksheet: Practicing Self-Reflection
High school students make countless decisions every day. Some are small and forgettable. Others stick with them. But few are encouraged to pause and ask themselves, “What would I do differently next time?” Related resources: social skills worksheets social skills...
Free High School Worksheet: Teach Students How to Practice Positive Self-Talk
Students talk to themselves all day long. It might not always be out loud, but it’s constant—narrating, reacting, and interpreting what’s happening around them. And for many teens, that internal voice is more critical than kind. Related resources: social skills...
Free High School Worksheet: Help Students Discover and Apply Their Strengths
By high school, students are used to being evaluated—on grades, test scores, behavior, and participation. But they don’t always get a chance to reflect on the strengths that go beyond academics. And without that reflection, it’s easy for teens to overlook what they’re...
Instructional Strategies and Resources to Support Anxious Students
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges students face, yet it often goes unrecognized in school settings. It may show up as avoidance, emotional outbursts, frequent visits to the nurse, or complete disengagement. While educators are not expected to...
Free High School Worksheet: Becoming More Independent
By the time students reach high school, independence is often expected—but not always explicitly taught. Teens are navigating more responsibilities, more freedom, and higher stakes, but that doesn’t mean they always feel ready. Related resources: social skills...
Helping Autistic Learners Navigate Online Communication and Digital Citizenship
Try These No-Prep Self-Advocacy Activities for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students
Self-advocacy is one of the most important life skills students can build—and one of the most overlooked. Whether a student needs to ask for extra time on a test, speak up in a group project, or express a personal opinion, being able to advocate for themselves helps...
Free Middle School Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Honoring My Strengths
Middle schoolers are at a turning point—not quite kids, not quite teens. At this age, self-esteem can dip, peer comparison increases, and students begin to define themselves more clearly through both strengths and struggles. Related resources: See our full list of...
Free Middle School Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Speaking Up With Friends
Middle school friendships can be tricky. From group projects to text threads, students are navigating a lot of unspoken social dynamics—while also trying to figure out who they are. It’s no surprise many struggle to speak up when something feels off. Related...
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...
