Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Video Modeling Lessons on Riding the Bus
Access FREE SEL materials today As elementary educators, teaching students about bus safety can be a challenge. Ensuring they understand the importance of safety while riding the school bus is crucial, but traditional methods may not always engage young learners....
Social-Emotional Learning Fall Craft Activity
Access FREE SEL materials today As preschool educators, instilling essential social-emotional skills in our youngest learners is one of our top priorities. Teaching concepts like gratitude and thankfulness at an early age not only helps children build positive...
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....
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...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Middle Schoolers to Understand Indirect Communication
Introduction Indirect communication is a common way people express their thoughts, feelings, or desires without explicitly stating them. This can be especially prevalent among middle school students, as they navigate the complexities of social interactions. Educators...
Teaching Jealousy Control and Respect to Special Education Students
Introduction Jealousy is a common emotion experienced by individuals of all ages, including students in special education. It's essential to teach students how to control their feelings and actions when experiencing jealousy, as it can negatively impact their...
Teaching Students to Read People’s Mood: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Reading people's mood is a crucial skill that helps students navigate social situations effectively. By observing facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, students can better understand others' feelings and respond appropriately. This blog post will...
Wiggle and Jump Break: A Calming Corner Activity for Students
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of helping students develop their social-emotional skills, which include self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision-making. One essential aspect of this growth is teaching students how to release...
Teaching Elementary Students to Communicate Their Health Needs
Introduction Educators play a crucial role in fostering the social-emotional growth of their students. One essential skill for elementary students is recognizing and communicating their physical well-being, especially when they are not feeling well. This blog post...
Teaching Empathy: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Empathy is a crucial skill for students to develop, as it allows them to understand and connect with others on an emotional level. This skill is especially important for students in special education, who may face challenges in forming and maintaining...
Teaching Middle School Students to Make Plans with Friends
Introduction Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an essential aspect of a student's development. One important skill in SEL is learning how to make plans with friends. This involves communication, collaboration, and empathy. In this blog post, we will discuss the steps...
Teaching Expected Voice Volume: An Essential Skill for Effective Communication
When students engage in conversations, it's crucial for them to maintain an expected voice volume. This means not talking too quietly or loudly, ensuring that they can be heard without yelling. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity to help students...
Getting Along with Siblings: Activities and Discussions for Educators
Introduction Siblings can be both a source of joy and frustration for children. As they grow up together, they learn how to navigate their relationships and develop essential communication skills. Educators play a crucial role in helping students understand the...
Teaching Students to Think Before They Speak: A Social-Emotional Learning Activity
Introduction In today's fast-paced world, it's crucial for students to develop strong social-emotional skills that help them navigate social situations. One such skill is learning to think before they speak, which can prevent hurtful comments and promote positive...
Teaching Students the Importance of Asking for Permission
When working with students in Special Education, it's important to teach them valuable social skills that will help them navigate their environment. One such skill is asking for permission before using shared resources or engaging in certain activities. In this blog...
Fork in the Road: An Interactive Conversation Skills Game for Elementary Students
Introduction As educators, we are always looking for engaging ways to teach our students valuable social skills. One essential skill is the ability to navigate conversations effectively. Introducing Fork in the Road, a creative game that helps elementary students...
Surfing the Waves of Conversation: Teaching Smooth Topic Transitions
Conversations should flow smoothly from one topic to another, allowing participants to engage and connect with each other. This blog post will provide educators with an overview of how to teach middle school students the art of smooth conversation transitions, a...
Understanding Relationships with the Relationship Ruler: A Guide for Educators
As educators, it's essential to teach our students about the various types of relationships they have with others in their lives. By understanding the different levels of closeness, students can learn how to act and communicate appropriately with each person they...
Using a Filter in Communication: The Two Sides Game for Educators
Introduction In the world of Social-Emotional Learning, it is crucial to teach students valuable communication skills that help them navigate social situations effectively. One such skill is using a filter, which involves deciding whether to think or say something...