Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
How To Address Social Skills Loss From the Pandemic
It is hard to believe that it has been nearly three years since the initial COVID-19 lockdowns. And while this time has been challenging for us all, it has been especially difficult for our students who are dealing with social skills loss from the pandemic. What...
The 5 Social-Emotional Learning Skills
Let’s talk about the 5 Social-Emotional Learning Skills (CASEL Competencies)! What are they? And why do they matter? Whether you’re a veteran Speechie or you’re new around here, you’ve probably noticed that the 5 CASEL Competencies (Self-Awareness, Self-Management,...
February 2023 Content Update
Hello Everyday Speechies! We have new material this month! Let’s take a look! We have added three new pieces of material related to Job Skills. The first is a follow-up game for the existing Professional Skills game. The next is an interactive activity for...
How to Use SEL as a Special Ed Teacher
As a special education teacher, you are the connector on campus and hold a unique skill set and perspective in the push for schoolwide social-emotional learning (SEL). Rather than feeling like the outlier of your school community, read on to see how you can position...
How to Use SEL as a School Psychologist
As a school psychologist, you wear many hats and are the glue between general education and special education. You bridge the gap between individual classroom teachers and wider district initiatives. You are ultimately an invaluable resource and leader in the mission...
How to Use SEL as a School Counselor
As a school counselor, you play a huge role in nurturing schoolwide social-emotional learning (SEL). In fact, you serve as the first line of defense in identifying and addressing students’ social and emotional needs within the school setting. With that, it is likely...
How to Best Implement SEL as a Social Worker
As a school social worker, social-emotional learning is, and has always been, the heart of your role. As the link between the home, school, and community, your expertise in SEL is a crucial tool in supporting whole-child development. If you’re reading this, you may be...
Will AI Chatbots Destroy School?
“Please summarize Moby-Dick for my upcoming book report,” I wrote. In under five seconds, ChatGPT had generated an answer that I could turn in for at least a B. Best of all, I didn’t have to read all 427 pages of Moby-Dick. I also didn’t have to research, reflect, or...
The Best Times of Day to Teach SEL
Odds are you’ve heard the buzz around SEL if you’re an educator. And while there’s no denying the importance of teaching SEL and its significant impacts on students’ academic success and well-being, that doesn’t mean it is easy to teach or implement. According to...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Students How to Join a Group: An Essential Social Skill
Introduction Joining a group can be a challenging social skill for students to learn. Knowing how and when to join a conversation or group activity is vital for building positive relationships and fostering effective communication. This blog post will explore a...
Stretch Breaks: Energizing Students in Special Education
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of incorporating activities that promote Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into our students' daily routines. For students in Special Education, these activities are crucial for developing self-awareness,...
Am I Ready to Date? Helping Middle School Students Determine their Readiness for Relationships
Introduction As educators, we understand that middle school students may start to experience romantic feelings and develop crushes on their peers. It's essential to help them navigate these feelings and determine if they are ready to date or begin a relationship. This...
Teaching the Art of Compromise: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Compromise is a crucial aspect of social-emotional learning that helps students develop healthy relationships and effective communication skills. By understanding the art of compromise, students learn to balance their needs and desires with those of...
Tone of Voice: Essential Skills for Effective Communication
Introduction Tone of voice is a crucial skill in our daily communication. It refers to the way our voice sounds when we speak, which can convey messages beyond the words we use. Understanding and managing our tone of voice is an essential component of Social-Emotional...
Teaching Students to Drive Conversations Forward: Strategies for Special Education Educators
Introduction Being a good friend involves taking turns in conversations and showing interest in what others have to say, even if it's not a topic that we find particularly engaging. In this blog post, we will discuss the concept of Conversation Drivers and how they...
Teaching Students about their Digital Footprint
Introduction Today's digital world has made it easier than ever to connect with others, share information, and access resources. However, it also comes with a responsibility to be aware of the digital footprint we leave behind. In this blog post, we will discuss the...
Partnering in Class: Fostering Collaboration and Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction For students in special education, working with others can be both challenging and rewarding. Partnering in class promotes collaboration, active listening, and decision-making skills. It also teaches students the importance of considering other people's...
Surfing Conversations: Teaching Smooth Topic Transitions in Class
Introduction Conversations are like waves; they flow smoothly from one topic to another, allowing the participants to ride the wave until it's time to shift to a new one. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging and practical approach to teaching students how to...
Teaching Elementary Students to Decode Indirect Communication
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of teaching elementary students how to decode indirect communication. We will provide a no-prep activity that educators can use to help students understand the concept, followed by discussion questions to stimulate...
Teaching Students to Control Thoughts and Feelings with the Self-Controller Scanner
Introduction Controlling one's thoughts and feelings is a crucial life skill that promotes better decision-making, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. The Self-Controller Scanner is a technique that helps students become more aware of their emotional state...
Teaching PreK Students Self-Control with the Self-Controller Scanner
Introduction Teaching young children how to manage their thoughts and feelings is crucial for their personal and social development. One method to help PreK students develop self-control is by introducing the concept of the Self-Controller Scanner. This tool helps...
Teaching Direct and Indirect Language: An Essential Social Skill for Students
Introduction Communication plays a vital role in our daily lives, and understanding the difference between direct and indirect language is crucial for effective interactions. Direct language is used when we have a serious problem or need, and it's important to be...
Building Positive Self-Esteem in Elementary Students: No-Prep Activity & Discussion
Introduction Self-esteem refers to the collection of beliefs individuals hold about themselves. A high sense of self-esteem is characterized by feelings of pride, acceptance, and confidence in one's abilities, even during challenging times or when facing failure....
Teaching Respect and Put-Ups to Students in Special Education
Introduction Respect is a fundamental aspect of social-emotional learning that plays a crucial role in how we interact with others. By treating others in a way that makes them feel valued, we demonstrate respect through our words, behavior, and habits. For students in...