Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
How Washington County Improved Special Education Outcomes with Everyday Speech
Supporting students with social, behavioral, and communication challenges in special education requires strategic, scalable solutions that empower both educators and administrators. At Washington County School District, Special Education Teacher Markay Thorkelson...
Five Key Strategies for Effective Tier 2 and Tier 3 Support
Supporting students with targeted and intensive needs requires strategies that address real challenges and deliver measurable results. Effective Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions aren’t just about adding support; they require a structured, data-driven approach that...
Advanced Strategies for Supporting Tier 2 and 3 Interventions in K12 Schools
New Year’s Goal Class Bulletin Board
Access FREE SEL materials today The start of a new year offers the perfect chance to unite your classroom under a shared goal. Everyday Speech’s New Year's Goal Class Bulletin Board activity encourages students to think collectively while also reflecting on their...
New Year Goal SEL Activity
Access FREE SEL materials today The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to teach students the importance of goal-setting. Everyday Speech’s New Year Goal SEL Activity provides a fun and interactive way for students to set meaningful, personal goals. This...
Yoga for Kids: Free Worksheet and Video with Easy Yoga Poses
Download Free Mindfulness Activities Yoga, breathing exercises, and calming strategies for kidsHelping kids manage their energy and emotions can be a challenge. One effective way to support self-regulation, focus, and stress relief is through yoga for kids. By...
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,...
Student and Group Organization for Student Services Professionals
Access FREE SEL materials today Whether you're a special education teacher, school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or speech-language pathologist (SLP)—you know that staying organized is key to helping your students thrive. With the new Student and Group...
No-Prep Activities
Helping PreK Students Navigate Change: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Changes are an inevitable part of life, and sometimes, our days don't go as planned. For young children, especially PreK students, unexpected changes can lead to feelings of nervousness and discomfort. As educators, we can help them learn how to handle...
Read the Room: A Social-Emotional Learning Activity for Special Education Students
Introduction Welcome to Read the Room, a game designed to help students develop their social-emotional learning skills. In this activity, students learn to adapt their behavior based on the situation and the people around them. By reading the room, students can better...
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Be Good Sports at Recess
In this blog post, we will explore the concept of being a good sport at recess for kindergarten students. We will discuss a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for educators to help their students develop this important...
Understanding Different Perspectives: Activities for Special Education Students
As educators, one of our goals is to help students develop the ability to understand and empathize with others. In special education, this skill can be particularly beneficial, as it promotes positive social interactions and helps to build strong relationships. In...
Developing Cyber Skills for Texting: Enhancing Communication in a Digital Age
Introduction Texting is a popular mode of communication, but it can be confusing without the clues we get in face-to-face conversations. Abbreviations and slang can exacerbate this confusion. To help students navigate these challenges, we introduce Cyber Skills for...
Back to School: Adapting to New Routines and Staying Safe
Introduction As schools reopen, the learning environment will look and feel different due to the ongoing pandemic. Educators and students will need to adapt to new routines and safety measures to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone. This blog post will...
Teaching Good Hygiene: A Guide for Elementary Educators
Introduction Hygiene is an essential part of our daily routine, keeping our bodies clean and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Good hygiene also has social benefits, as it makes others around us feel more comfortable. This blog post will discuss the importance of...
Adapting to New Back-to-School Routines: Skills for a Safe and Healthy Environment
Introduction As schools reopen with new guidelines and regulations, it is essential for educators to help students adapt to these changes while ensuring a safe and healthy environment. The following skills will assist students in understanding the importance of...
Understanding Body Language: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Body language is a crucial aspect of communication that often goes unnoticed. It involves using our bodies to convey messages and express our feelings. In some cases, our body language can unintentionally send the wrong message to others, leading to...
Teaching Conversation Drivers and Stoppers with Bingo: A Social-Emotional Learning Activity
Introduction Developing effective communication skills is essential for middle school students as they navigate social situations and build relationships. One important aspect of communication is understanding the difference between conversation drivers and...
Helping PreK Students Embrace Change with an Open Mind
Introduction Change can be difficult for young children, often causing feelings of anger or worry. In order to help PreK students cope with change, we can teach them the concept of having an Open Mind. An Open Mind is receptive to new ideas and changes, which helps...
Enhancing Listening Skills and Engagement in PreK Students
Introduction It's essential for young learners to develop strong listening skills and stay engaged during group discussions. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that helps PreK students practice listening, focus on the discussion, and mentally answer...
Regaining Self-Control: A Guide for Kindergarten Educators
Introduction Teaching young children to recognize their feelings and regain self-control is an essential part of their development. By learning to identify their emotions and physical sensations, kindergarten students can take steps to get back in control and maintain...
Teaching PreK Students the Art of Diverse Conversations
Introduction As young learners navigate the world of social interactions, they may find themselves fixated on one topic or interest. While it's natural for children to have favorite subjects, it's also essential to teach them the importance of diverse conversations....
Building Friendships: A Guide for Educators in Special Education
Friendships play a crucial role in the social-emotional development of students. As educators, we can help our students form meaningful connections by teaching them essential skills for building friendships. This blog post will provide an overview of these skills, a...
