Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Preschool Problem-Solving Activity: How to Ask for Help
Preschoolers are still learning how to navigate everyday challenges—whether it’s needing help tying their shoes, asking for a turn with a toy, or figuring out how to express their feelings. One of the most important skills they can develop at this age is learning how...
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...
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 Students to Follow Directions Independently: A Guide for Educators
Introduction As educators, we frequently give our students directions throughout the day. These directions often involve multiple steps and it's crucial for students to follow them independently without constant reminders from the teacher. By paying attention and...