Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free High School Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Advocating for Yourself
By the time students reach high school, we often expect them to speak up for themselves—to share opinions, ask for support, and self-advocate in challenging situations. But many teens still struggle with this. Whether it’s nerves, self-doubt, or a lack of tools, they...
Free Elementary Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Speaking Up at School
Some students have no trouble asking for what they need. Others might freeze, whisper, or say nothing—even when they’re struggling. Learning to speak up at school is a foundational self-advocacy skill that helps students build independence, confidence, and trust in...
Free Self-Advocacy Poster for Elementary, Middle, and High School Classrooms
Whether it’s asking for a break, getting clarification, or speaking up when something doesn’t feel right, self-advocacy is one of the most important life skills students can build. But many students—especially those with communication challenges or social-emotional...
![Kindergarten Readiness Toolkit: Build Confidence, Independence, and Classroom Readiness [Download]](https://everydayspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/bus-behavior-1-400x250.png)
Kindergarten Readiness Toolkit: Build Confidence, Independence, and Classroom Readiness [Download]
How to Write IEP Goals: Example Goals for EVERY Skill
IEP goals shape the daily experience of students receiving special education services. They aren’t just legal requirements—they’re commitments. Each goal is a reflection of what the team believes the student can learn, how they’ll get there, and how success will be...
How to Build Student Agency: Resources & Strategies
Empowering students to take charge of their own learning is one of the most impactful things educators can do. When students develop agency, they build the skills needed to set goals, make decisions, and navigate challenges with confidence. In today’s educational...
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...
![Crisis Support Resources: Help Students Recover with Resilience [Download]](https://everydayspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/video-thumbnail-400x250.png)
Crisis Support Resources: Help Students Recover with Resilience [Download]
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Special Ed Students to Keep Calm and Follow the Group
Introduction For students in Special Education, navigating social situations can be challenging. Learning how to keep calm and follow the group when things don't go as expected is an essential skill for these students. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep...
Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills with the Solve It Game for Special Education Students
In this blog post, we will explore the Solve It game, a step-by-step approach to problem-solving designed for educators working with special education students. This game helps students develop their ability to identify problems, evaluate their size, brainstorm...
Teaching PreK Students to Line Up: A No-Prep Activity and Discussion Guide
Introduction Learning to line up is an essential skill for young students. It helps them understand the importance of following directions, respecting others, and maintaining order in the classroom. In this blog post, we'll discuss a no-prep activity designed to help...
Teaching the On Purpose Plan: A Practical Social-Emotional Learning Skill for Educators
Introduction It can be challenging for elementary students to understand the difference between actions that are done on purpose and those that happen accidentally. The On Purpose Plan is a valuable tool that helps students distinguish between these two types of...
Teaching Elementary Students to Understand Thoughts by Following Eyes
Introduction As educators, one of our goals is to help students develop effective communication and social skills. An essential aspect of this is understanding what others are thinking, which can often be deduced by observing their eye movements. In this blog post, we...
Teaching Self-Control: An Essential Skill for Elementary Students
Self-control is a critical skill for students to develop, as it helps them succeed both academically and socially. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of self-control, present a no-prep activity that educators can use to teach this skill, and provide...
Teaching Kindergarteners Effective Storytelling with the Background Brief
Introduction Storytelling is an essential skill that helps children develop their communication abilities and social-emotional learning. In this blog post, we will focus on teaching kindergarten students how to tell stories effectively by providing enough information...
Solve It: A Step-by-Step Problem-Solving Game for Educators
Introducing Solve It, a game designed to teach students essential problem-solving skills through a step-by-step process. This activity is perfect for educators looking to incorporate principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into their lessons. In this blog post,...
Enhancing Conversations by Thinking About Others: Activities for Educators
Introduction As educators, we strive to equip our students with the skills they need to succeed in their social lives and foster meaningful relationships. One essential skill in this domain is the ability to think about others before engaging in conversations. By...
Teaching Conversation Drivers: Fostering Better Communication and Friendships
Introduction As educators, it is our responsibility to teach students not only academic skills but also essential social skills. One such skill is the ability to drive a conversation forward, even when the topic might not be of personal interest. This ability is...
Enhancing Conversation Skills in Kindergarten: A No-Prep Activity for Educators
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students essential social skills. One such skill is the ability to engage in meaningful conversations. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement, no-prep activity designed to help kindergarten...
Conversation Drivers and Stoppers: Enhancing Social Skills in Special Education
Introduction Communication is an essential skill for students in special education, and understanding the difference between conversation drivers and conversation stoppers can greatly impact their social-emotional learning. Conversation drivers are strategies that...
Teaching Small Talk: A Guide for Educators in Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction Small talk is an essential skill for social interactions. It allows individuals to connect with others, even if only for a brief moment. Small talk usually consists of quick conversations that last just a couple of minutes, often revolving around light...
Solve It: A Game to Teach Problem-Solving Skills to High School Students
Introduction Problem-solving is an essential life skill that helps students navigate the challenges they face every day. By incorporating principles of social-emotional learning, educators can effectively teach students how to approach and solve problems step by step....
Teaching Cyber Skills Through the Two Sides Game: A Guide for Educators
Introduction With the increasing use of technology in our daily lives, teaching students about Cyber Skills has become essential. Cyber Skills are smart ways to stay safe while we communicate with others online and use technology. In this blog post, we will discuss an...
