Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Middle School Worksheet: Learn About Learning Styles
Every student learns a little differently. Some retain information best when they write it down. Others need to hear it out loud, talk it through, or see it in action. When middle schoolers understand how they learn, they become more confident, more independent, and...
Free Middle School Worksheet: Building Confidence and Self-Worth
Middle school is full of transitions. Students are figuring out who they are, where they fit in, and what they’re good at. But with that growth often comes self-doubt—and many students struggle to see the strengths they already have. The Building Confidence and...
Free High School Worksheet: Teach Students to Recognize and Respond to Bullying
The word “bullying” gets thrown around a lot, but many high schoolers still don’t know how to recognize it—or what to do when they see it. They might call every conflict bullying, or fail to speak up when a serious situation unfolds around them. The Let’s Talk About...
Free High School Worksheet: Practicing Self-Reflection
High school students make countless decisions every day. Some are small and forgettable. Others stick with them. But few are encouraged to pause and ask themselves, “What would I do differently next time?” The Self-Reflection worksheet from Everyday Speech invites...
Free High School Worksheet: Teach Students How to Practice Positive Self-Talk
Students talk to themselves all day long. It might not always be out loud, but it’s constant—narrating, reacting, and interpreting what’s happening around them. And for many teens, that internal voice is more critical than kind. Helping students become aware of their...
Free High School Worksheet: Help Students Discover and Apply Their Strengths
By high school, students are used to being evaluated—on grades, test scores, behavior, and participation. But they don’t always get a chance to reflect on the strengths that go beyond academics. And without that reflection, it’s easy for teens to overlook what they’re...
Instructional Strategies and Resources to Support Anxious Students
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges students face, yet it often goes unrecognized in school settings. It may show up as avoidance, emotional outbursts, frequent visits to the nurse, or complete disengagement. While educators are not expected to...
Free High School Worksheet: Becoming More Independent
By the time students reach high school, independence is often expected—but not always explicitly taught. Teens are navigating more responsibilities, more freedom, and higher stakes, but that doesn’t mean they always feel ready. The Becoming More Independent worksheet...
Try These No-Prep Self-Advocacy Activities for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students
Self-advocacy is one of the most important life skills students can build—and one of the most overlooked. Whether a student needs to ask for extra time on a test, speak up in a group project, or express a personal opinion, being able to advocate for themselves helps...
No-Prep Activities
Enhancing Communication Skills with the Background Brief Activity
Introduction Effective communication is an essential life skill that students need to develop. For students in Special Education, learning to provide adequate background information while telling a story or engaging in a conversation is crucial. The Background Brief...
Teaching Kindergarteners the Conversation Stoplight for Better Communication
Introduction Teaching kindergarteners the art of conversation is a crucial step in developing their social-emotional learning skills. One effective method to achieve this is by using the Conversation Stoplight. This technique helps students understand when it's their...
Stretching Breaks: Calming Minds and Bodies for Elementary Students
As educators, we know the importance of incorporating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles into our teaching strategies. One simple yet effective way to achieve this is by introducing stretching breaks in the classroom. In this blog post, we will discuss the...
Enhancing Communication Skills with the Conversation Stoplight
Introduction The Conversation Stoplight is an effective tool to help middle school students develop their communication skills and foster positive social interactions. The Stoplight concept teaches students to listen carefully, share the conversation, and speak only...
Preparing Kindergarten Students for Birthday Parties: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Going to birthday parties is a fun and exciting experience for kindergarten students. It is also an excellent opportunity to teach essential social skills that will help them navigate various social events as they grow older. This blog post will provide...
Helping Students Advocate for Themselves in the Classroom
Introduction One of the most important skills for students to develop is the ability to advocate for themselves in the classroom. This is especially true for students in Special Education. By teaching students how to effectively communicate their needs and emotions,...
Teaching Self-Control to High School Students: Activities and Discussions
Introduction Self-control is an essential skill that high school students need to develop as they navigate through their academic and social lives. It enables them to manage their impulses, emotions, and behaviors effectively. By cultivating self-control, students can...
Teaching Students to Be Mindful of Others in Shared Spaces
As educators, it's essential to teach our students how to be considerate and respectful when sharing spaces with others. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, we can help students develop empathy, self-awareness, and social awareness. This blog...
Teaching Kindergarten Students Classroom Behavior with Bingo
In this blog post, we will explore a fun and engaging activity to teach kindergarten students about proper classroom behavior. Using the game of bingo, children can learn about different behaviors that help them and their classmates have a positive learning experience...
Stretch Your Way to a Calmer Classroom: A Social-Emotional Learning Approach
Introduction As educators, we are constantly seeking ways to create a positive and engaging learning environment for our students. One often overlooked aspect of this process is the incorporation of physical activities, such as stretching, which can help foster a more...
Emotion ID: A Game to Help Students Recognize and Understand Emotions
Introducing Emotion ID, an engaging and interactive game that helps students develop the essential skill of recognizing and understanding emotions in themselves and others. By focusing on facial expressions, tone of voice, and the words people say, students can learn...
Teaching Students to Understand Indirect Communication: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Communication is an essential skill for students to develop in order to navigate social situations effectively. However, not all communication is direct. Sometimes, people convey their intentions or desires in an indirect manner. This can be due to a...
Teaching Elementary Students to Keep Hands & Feet to Themselves: Activities & Discussion
Introduction When working with elementary students, it's important to teach them about respecting personal boundaries and keeping their hands and feet to themselves. This vital social-emotional learning skill helps students develop positive relationships and fosters a...
Teaching Middle School Students to Focus on Others’ Interests in Conversations
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students effective communication skills. One key aspect of communication, especially for middle school students, is the ability to engage with others by discussing topics of mutual interest. This...
Teaching PreK Students to Listen and Follow Directions: A Guide for Educators
As an educator, teaching young students to listen and follow directions is essential for their growth and development. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that fosters these essential skills, as well as discussion questions and related skills to help...
