Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Preschool Switching Tracks Goal Poster
Download Activity and Lesson Plan As preschool teachers, we often encounter situations where our little learners find it challenging to adjust to changes in their routine or plans. Teaching them the concept of 'switching tracks,' or adapting to new situations, is...
Free Elementary Thanksgiving Craft
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Thanksgiving isn't just about feasts and parades; it's a time for reflection and gratitude. Special educators can bring this spirit into their classrooms with a fun and meaningful craft activity from Everyday Speech. Check out this...
Free Middle School Self-Advocacy Interactive Activity
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Welcome to our latest resource for middle school special educators! Today, we're focusing on a vital skill for young learners: self-advocacy. This blog post presents a simple, no-prep lesson plan, centered around a "Free Middle School...
Free Elementary Perspective Taking Goal Poster
Download Activity and Lesson Plan In need of a resource for teaching perspective-taking to your elementary students? Look no further, download our free elementary perspective-taking goal poster! Teaching Perspective Taking to Elementary Students You can successfully...
Preschool Feelings Detective Activity
Download Activity and Lesson Plan As early childhood and preschool educators, one of the most challenging aspects of the job is helping students navigate big feelings. Despite the challenge, one of the greatest gifts we can give our students is the beginning...
Free Interactive Job Interview Practice for High School Students
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Navigating the job market can be daunting for high school students, particularly those in special education programs. As educators, it's our role to demystify the process and prepare our students for success. This comprehensive guide...
Free Empathy Scenario Cards
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Happy National School Psychology Week! This time provides a great opportunity for school psychologists to reflect on the crucial role empathy plays in their work and in student development. Empathy—the ability to understand and share...
Free Shifting the Topic Interactive Activity
Download Activity and Lesson Plan The art of conversation is not just about speaking but also about directing and shifting discussions. For middle schoolers, this skill is especially crucial as they enter more mature social and academic settings. As Speech...
Interactive Self-Reflection Practice for High Schoolers
Download Activity and Lesson Plan In today's fast-paced educational environment, it's easy to overlook one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal: self-reflection. As special educators, our mission extends beyond just curriculum-based teaching. We aim to empower...
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...