Everyday Speech Blog

Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles

How a Culture of SEL Supports Students’ Mental Health
How a Culture of SEL Supports Students’ Mental Health

Many students are heading back to the classroom for the first time since March 2020, when the pandemic put a pause on in-person instruction. With this in mind, school districts are exploring ways to support students not only on gaps in academics but also in their...

September Content Updates: What’s New This Month?
September Content Updates: What’s New This Month?

The earlier we can support our early learners with social-emotional learning the better! As you know, this isn't always easy. Early learners may struggle with reading, paying attention, and comprehending materials created for older audiences. That's why we've released...

Pig Latin, Phonological Awareness, and Dyslexia
Pig Latin, Phonological Awareness, and Dyslexia

Guest post by Margaret Lanning, MS, CCC-SLP, in partnership with eLuma Online Therapy. Did you ever speak in Ig-pay Atin-lay with your elementary school friends? You know, the “language” where you take off the first consonant from the front of a word and move it to...

Does Exercise Make You Happy? Science Says Yes
Does Exercise Make You Happy? Science Says Yes

Temperatures are on the rise, the days are longer, and our weekend plans are full of barbecues with friends and family consist of barbecues with family – all sure signs that summer is here! With many more sunny and warm days ahead, why not get outside and get some...

Zoom & Video Meeting Activities
Zoom & Video Meeting Activities

The pandemic changed many things about our day-to-day lives. It especially changed how we interact with one another! With many schools transitioning to hybrid or fully remote learning models over the past year, virtual meetings have become the new normal. Last year,...

May Content Update: What’s New This Month?
May Content Update: What’s New This Month?

This month's new content features videos and activities about being flexible. This includes videos to help students understand when and how to use direct vs. indirect language and how to deal with unexpected changes to their routine. We also included two special...

How to Confront Your Personal Biases

Guest post by Lacey Carter, CCC-SLP, in partnership with eLuma Online Therapy. As professional educators, it’s easy to get too comfortable telling others how to learn and grow without holding ourselves to the same standard. We should be more like the children we...

No-Prep Activities

Teaching Listening Skills: A Guide for Special Education Educators
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
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...

Polite Communication Skills for Addressing Annoying Behaviors
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 Time and Place: Two Sides Activity for Students
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 the Think It or Say It Skill to High School Students
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 Middle Schoolers to Express Attraction Respectfully
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 Body Language Awareness through Guess What Happens Next
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
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...