Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Nonverbal Communication Activity: Visual Referencing for Middle School
Download Activity and Lesson Plan As special educators, we understand the unique challenges middle schoolers face, particularly when it comes to nonverbal communication. Many students in this age group struggle with making eye contact during social interactions. While...
Free Tone of Voice Activity for High School Students
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Many high school students struggle with nonverbal communication, particularly in understanding and using tone of voice effectively. Whether it’s detecting sarcasm, expressing emotions appropriately, or adjusting their tone based on...
Nonverbal Communication Activity: Visual Referencing for Elementary
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Visual referencing is a key nonverbal communication strategy that helps students engage in conversations without the pressure of direct eye contact. Often referred to as social referencing, this skill allows learners to observe and...
Mindfulness Activities for Kids: Fun & Simple Ways to Teach Calm and Focus
Helping kids develop mindfulness skills is one of the most powerful ways to support their emotional well-being, focus, and self-regulation. Whether at home, in the classroom, or in therapy sessions, mindfulness activities provide children with the tools they need to...
10 Self-Regulation Strategies for Elementary Students
Self-regulation isn’t just about controlling emotions—it’s about developing the skills to navigate challenges, focus attention, and manage impulses. In elementary school, building these skills is essential for fostering independence and creating a positive learning...
How to Help Students Manage Big Emotions with the Big Feelings Toolbox
Helping young students navigate big emotions is one of the most important and challenging aspects of teaching. Many students struggle to express feelings like frustration, disappointment, or anxiety in a productive way, leading to classroom disruptions or withdrawal....
How to Teach Students About Emotions with SocialMojis
Helping students recognize, express, and understand emotions is a crucial part of their social and emotional development. Many young learners struggle to identify their feelings or express them appropriately, which can lead to frustration, misunderstandings, and...
Play This Free Executive Functioning Game with Students
Download Free Executive Functioning Resources Teach skills like organization, planning, and task initiation with resources for interventions and whole-class lessons.Executive functioning skills are essential for success in school, work, and daily life. These...
How to Teach Executive Functioning in High School (Free Lesson & Resources)
Download Free Executive Functioning Resources Teach skills like organization, planning, and task initiation with resources for interventions and whole-class lessons.High school presents new challenges for students—balancing multiple classes, extracurriculars, and...
No-Prep Activities
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...
Teaching Conversation Skills: A No-Prep Activity for Educators
Introduction As an educator, you understand the importance of teaching conversation skills to students. Effective communication is crucial for building relationships and navigating social situations. This blog post focuses on teaching students how to stay on topic...
Building Resilience with Positive Self-Talk in Special Education
Introduction As educators, we understand that learning is a process that involves both successes and setbacks. It's essential for students, especially those in special education, to develop resilience and a growth mindset. One powerful way to help students overcome...
Introducing Solve It: A Step-by-Step Game for Teaching Problem Solving Skills
Introduction Teaching problem-solving skills to elementary students can be a challenging task. As educators, we strive to teach our students how to navigate through everyday challenges and make good decisions. One effective way to teach problem-solving skills is...
Introducing Yourself: A Vital Skill for Special Education Students
Introduction Introducing yourself is an essential skill that students need to develop, especially in special education settings. It is a basic social skill that allows students to make connections and establish relationships with others. In various contexts, such as...
Teaching Students How to Make Plans with Friends: A No-Prep Activity for Educators
Introduction Social-emotional learning (SEL) is essential for students to develop healthy relationships and effectively navigate social situations. One crucial aspect of SEL is teaching students how to make plans with friends. This involves learning to initiate...
Guess What Happens Next: A Social-Emotional Learning Activity for Special Education
Introduction In today's world, it's essential for students to develop strong social-emotional skills that will help them navigate various situations in life. Educators working with students in Special Education can benefit from engaging activities that encourage...
Teaching the Value of an Open Mind: Activities and Discussions for Educators
Introduction Being rigid is the opposite of being flexible. In the context of Social-Emotional Learning, having a Closed Mind means resisting change and not being open to new ideas. This can lead to feelings of frustration, worry, and a lack of adaptability. On the...
Teaching Kindergarteners the Importance of Personal Space in Conversations
Introduction As educators, it's essential to teach our kindergarten students the importance of maintaining an appropriate distance while conversing. This skill is a crucial aspect of social-emotional learning, as it helps children understand the concept of personal...
Understanding Voice Pitch and Tone: A Guide for Educators of PreK Students
Introduction Effective communication is an essential skill for young children as they navigate their social and emotional development. One aspect of communication that is often overlooked is the importance of voice pitch and tone. This blog post will provide educators...
Teaching Good Team Player Skills for Special Education Students
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of being a good team player and provide educators with an easy-to-implement activity to help students develop these essential skills. We will also discuss related skills and provide resources for further learning and...
Observation Skills: Helping Middle School Students Navigate New Situations
Introduction When middle school students encounter new situations or challenges, it can sometimes feel overwhelming or scary. One of the best ways to help them navigate these unfamiliar circumstances is by teaching them effective observation skills. By observing...
Teaching Good Sportsmanship: A Social-Emotional Learning Guide for Elementary Educators
Introduction Learning to accept both victories and defeats with grace is an essential life skill for all individuals. For students, being a good sport not only makes games and activities more enjoyable, but it also helps them develop strong social-emotional skills....
Teaching Problem-Solving and Cooperation Skills to Students
Introduction As educators, we strive to help our students develop essential life skills. Problem-solving and cooperation are two crucial skills that can help students navigate social situations and maintain healthy relationships. In this blog post, we will explore a...
Teaching Conversation Drivers and Stoppers: Guess What Happens Next Activity
Introduction Teaching high school students the importance of Conversation Drivers and Conversation Stoppers is crucial for their social-emotional development. Conversation Drivers are essential for maintaining and progressing a conversation, while Conversation...