Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
How to Teach Conversation Skills to Elementary Students
Hi again from Iris! Today our focus is teaching conversation skills to elementary students.In this lesson, we share a free video and visual tools to make teaching conversation skills as easy and stress-free as possible!First, let's start with a warm-up...
How to Support Child-Led Play
Welcome back! Iris here. As parents or educators, we often look at children’s milestones: Is the child applying the right amount of pressure for handwriting?Can they jump?Are their language skills progressing?and so on… I’d argue that play is just as important...
3 Activities for Teaching Basic Conversation Skills
Hello, Iris here! When was the last time you were an active part of a rewarding conversation? How did it feel? Maybe there were laughs, you felt seen, you got to share a story, or listened well. There are many ways we can connect, nonverbally and across language...
No-Prep Lesson for Teaching Students Nonverbal Communication
Welcome back, Iris here. Today we are covering nonverbal communication. Do you remember the last time you or a conversation partner communicated using primarily non-speaking methods? Maybe you lost your voice for a period of time or you went on a weekend trip with a...
No-Prep High School Lessons to Teach Job Skills
You likely have a distinct visual and emotional memory of your first job. A first job is a key life milestone. It’s one more step towards independence and adulthood. My first job was to grade math assignments at an afterschool support center. I was a sophomore...
No-Prep Middle School Lessons to Teach Self-Regulation
No-Prep Late Elementary Lessons to Teach Problem Solving
Welcome back! Iris here. This lesson is for learners grades 3-5 (late or upper elementary) and is a topic I consider of utmost importance—problem solving! Everyday Speech’s Social Communication Curriculum provides a thoughtful and pre-prepped roadmap for teaching...
SEL and Digital Wellness
With the rise of technology use in and out of the classroom, the digital world has become a central part of our learners’ life experiences, relationships, and identities. So, what can we do to support the digital wellness of our learners? The answer is...
The Whole-Child Approach and Why it Matters
If you work in education, you’ve likely heard of the “whole-child approach” to teaching. Rather than solely focusing on narrowly-defined academic achievement benchmarks, the whole-child approach incorporates a broader view of the skills and knowledge that all...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Listening Skills: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction As educators, we understand that listening skills are crucial for students' success in school. This is especially true for Special Education students who may require additional support in developing their listening abilities. By teaching these skills, we...
Teaching Middle School Students the Art of Small Talk
Introduction Small talk is an essential social skill that helps people engage in quick, casual conversations. It often includes asking questions or making comments about the other person's day, the weather, or upcoming events. Teaching middle school students the art...
Teaching Students to Get Attention Without Touching: An Essential Social Skill
Introduction As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students how to communicate effectively and respectfully with others. One essential social skill is learning how to get someone's attention without touching or hurting them. This skill is crucial...
Teaching Effective Communication Skills to Special Education Students
Introduction Effective communication is a crucial life skill that every student should learn. For students in Special Education, understanding their emotions and communicating their needs can be particularly challenging. In this blog post, we will discuss an...
Teaching Conversation Skills to Middle School Students: Engaging Activities and Discussions
As educators, we recognize the importance of teaching our students not only academic skills but also social-emotional learning skills that will help them navigate through life. One such skill is the ability to participate in conversations effectively. This blog post...
Polite Communication Skills for Addressing Annoying Behaviors
Introduction High school students often share spaces with others, and inevitably, they will encounter situations where someone is doing something they find distracting or annoying. In these situations, it's essential to equip students with the skills to address the...
Understanding Others’ Feelings Through Body Language and Facial Expressions
Introduction As educators, we recognize the importance of teaching our students not just academic skills, but also social-emotional skills that will help them thrive in life. One essential skill is understanding how others feel by reading their body language and...
Understanding Time and Place: Two Sides Activity for Students
Introduction In today's fast-paced world, it is essential for students to develop the ability to adapt their behavior and language according to the context they are in. This skill is crucial not only for their personal interactions but also for their future...
Teaching Personal Space to Kindergarten Students: Activities and Tips
Introduction Teaching personal space to Kindergarten students is a crucial aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. It helps young children understand and respect the boundaries of others while fostering a comfortable and safe environment. This blog post will provide...
Teaching Middle Schoolers to Express Attraction Respectfully
As educators, it is essential to teach middle school students how to express their feelings towards others in a respectful and appropriate manner. This blog post will explore the principles of Social-Emotional Learning in the context of students expressing attraction,...
Teaching the Think It or Say It Skill to High School Students
Introduction As educators, one of the key skills we want to impart to our students is the ability to discern when it is appropriate to share their thoughts and when it is best to keep them to themselves. This important social-emotional learning skill, often referred...
Teaching Body Language Awareness through Guess What Happens Next
Introduction: Body language plays a crucial role in our everyday interactions, often conveying more meaning than our spoken words. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging activity that helps students develop their body language awareness and understand how it...
Whole Body Listening: A Key Social Skill for High School Students
Introduction When it comes to effective communication, listening is just as important as speaking. However, truly attentive listening goes beyond just using our ears. Whole body listening is the act of engaging our entire body to show we are genuinely interested in...
Background Brief: A Social-Emotional Learning Game for High School Students
Introduction Communication is an essential skill that students need to develop for success in academics, relationships, and their future careers. One important aspect of effective communication is providing sufficient background information when sharing stories or...
Staying with the Group: A Social-Emotional Learning Skill for Kindergarten Students
Introduction Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in the development of kindergarten students. One essential skill to foster in young learners is the ability to stay with the group during playtime and other activities. This skill promotes a sense of...