Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
High-Quality MTSS Interventions: Strategies for Every Tier
Effective MTSS implementation depends on more than just identifying student needs—it requires high-quality intervention materials that educators can rely on at every tier. Whether students need universal supports in Tier 1, targeted small-group interventions in Tier...
Tier 3 Interventions: Free Academic, Behavioral & Social Supports for Students
In an effective Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), early intervention and targeted instruction help most students succeed within Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports. However, some students require more intensive, individualized interventions to address persistent...
Tier 2 Interventions That Work: Free Resources to Support Your Students
Providing the right level of support for students is essential for their success in school and beyond. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework ensures that all students receive the academic, behavioral, and self-regulation support they need. While Tier 1...
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...
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...
