Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
How Everyday Speech Supports Social Workers at Wilmette Public Schools
Jami Jacobs has been a school social worker at Central Elementary School in Wilmette, IL, for 23 years. Prior to using Everyday Speech, the school struggled to find a program that offered both communication and social skills curriculum for all students. After piloting...
Why School Culture Is Failing: The Unspoken Role of Social Skills in Teacher Burnout and Student Disengagement
Today, schools operate as intricate ecosystems, where school culture significantly shapes the well-being and achievement of students and educators. Amid escalating rates of teacher burnout, a mass exodus from the profession, and increasing student disengagement,...
Teaching Preschoolers to Keep Personal Space
Access FREE SEL materials today As special educators, we understand that teaching preschoolers about personal space can be a challenging yet essential task. Maintaining personal space is a crucial social skill that sets the foundation for positive peer interactions...
Helping Elementary Students Learn to Follow a Classroom Routine
Access FREE SEL materials today The back-to-school season is an exciting and crucial time for setting the tone for the entire school year. For elementary students, especially those with special needs, learning to follow a consistent classroom routine is essential....
Interactive IEP Activity for Middle School Students
Access FREE SEL materials today As a middle school special educator, guiding your students through the complexities of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) can be both challenging and rewarding. IEPs are crucial in ensuring that students with disabilities receive...
Teaching Elementary Students Safe Bus Behavior
Access FREE SEL materials today As elementary educators prepare for the new school year, teaching elementary students safe bus behavior is essential. With students often relying on buses as their primary mode of transportation to and from school, it’s crucial that...
Back-to-School Elementary SEL Craft
Access FREE SEL materials today As the back-to-school season approaches, elementary educators are always on the lookout for engaging activities that not only help students ease into the new school year but also foster a sense of community within the classroom. The...
Interactive Conversation Skills Practice for Middle Schoolers
Access FREE SEL materials today Middle school is a pivotal time for students as they begin to navigate more complex social dynamics. For speech-language pathologists (SLPs), teaching middle schoolers the nuances of conversation—what drives it forward and what stops it...
Play Solutions Activity for Elementary Students
Access FREE SEL materials today When it comes to teaching young children essential social skills, play is more than just fun—it’s a fundamental part of learning. For specialists, helping students navigate the complexities of social interactions during playtime can be...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Students the Art of Compromise: A Guide for Educators
Introduction As educators, we understand that disagreements are a natural part of human interaction. One of the most valuable skills we can teach our students is the art of compromise. Compromising is a way to find common ground and resolve conflicts while maintaining...
Teaching Kindergarteners Effective Handwashing Techniques and Related Social-Emotional Skills
Introduction Handwashing is an essential skill that everyone should learn from an early age. For kindergarten students, it is important to teach them not only the mechanics of handwashing but also the underlying principles of hygiene and self-care. In this blog post,...
Act It Out! Empathy Role-Playing Game for Elementary Students
Introduction Welcome to Act It Out!, a role-playing game designed to help elementary students develop empathy and understand the feelings of others. Empathy is a vital skill in social-emotional learning, allowing students to relate to one another's emotions and...
Two Sides: A Social-Emotional Learning Game for Special Education Students
Introduction Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in the development of students, particularly in Special Education. One essential skill students need to learn is the ability to adapt to changes and manage their emotions effectively. In this blog post,...
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Keep Calm and Follow the Group
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students how to adapt to different situations and handle their emotions in a healthy way. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in developing these skills. One vital skill for...
Enhancing Communication in Relationships for Special Education Students
Introduction Communication plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy and happy relationships. For students in special education, developing strong communication skills is essential to avoid misunderstandings and foster positive connections with others. This blog...
Teaching the Self-Controller Scanner: A Tool for Special Education Students
Introduction Controlling our thoughts and feelings is a vital skill for students, especially those in special education. The Self-Controller Scanner is a useful tool that helps students become aware of their emotions and regain control when necessary. This blog post...
Teaching Students to Get Attention Respectfully: Activities and Discussions
Introduction One essential skill for students to learn is how to get someone's attention in a respectful and polite way. This is a vital aspect of social-emotional learning, as it fosters positive interactions and relationships among peers and educators. In this blog...
Teaching High School Students to Drive Conversations Forward
Introduction Conversations are an essential part of everyday life, and engaging in meaningful conversations is a crucial skill for high school students to develop. In this blog post, we will discuss how to teach students to drive or keep a conversation going by asking...
Teaching Indirect Communication Skills to Address Mistakes Respectfully
Introduction Everyone makes mistakes, including adults like parents and teachers. It's important for students to learn how to correct someone without being disrespectful or hurting their feelings. This blog post focuses on teaching middle school students the...
Enhancing Connected Play and Social-Emotional Learning in PreK Classrooms
Introduction Connected play is an essential skill for young students to develop strong social-emotional learning foundations. When children learn to connect their play with others, they enhance their communication, cooperation, and empathy skills. This blog post will...
Teaching Effective Communication with the Conversation Stoplight
Introduction Educators working with elementary students often face the challenge of teaching effective communication skills. One effective method to help students develop these skills is the Conversation Stoplight. This concept helps students understand when to start...
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Stay Calm and Focused Amidst Distractions
Introduction As educators, we understand that our young students can easily get distracted, especially when their peers are not following the rules. Teaching them how to stay calm and focused in such situations is an essential skill to help them navigate their...
Changing the Channel on Strong Emotions: Strategies for Special Education Students
Introduction Strong emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness can fill our brain and freeze our decisions. When strong emotions take over, it can feel impossible to think about all our options and choose the right one. To make good decisions, we need positive...
Brain Breaks: Energizing and Relaxing Activities for Improved Focus
In today's fast-paced world, educators are constantly looking for ways to help students stay focused and engaged in the learning process. One effective strategy is to incorporate brain breaks into the classroom routine. These short activities can help students...