Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
How I Helped Organize a Sexual Health Class for Special Needs
I work with adolescents on social skills and noticed that concerns about relationships and safety come up often. After working at a high school for a year, I started thinking about options for health classes for the populations I work with. Some of my students take...
Motivating Students with Technology: Create your own eBooks
I wrote a post a couple weeks back that focused on using technology to help keep students engaged in the classroom. People seemed to like that theme, so I decided to merge that idea with last week’s blog about e-readers. I’ve found some apps that let users create...
Learning Through Technology: Bookshare and Accessible Reading
We all know our students learn in diverse ways. Some are better visual learners, others may be hands on learners, and some are a combination. For students who are auditory learners and learn better when they hear material as opposed to reading it, I suggest using...
Mirroring your iPad on Multiple Screens In the Classroom
A lot of my coworkers are setting goals for themselves this year to use more technology. One of my own goals is to use the technology I have in really fun and engaging ways. Recently, I’ve learned how to project my iPad to a larger screen. This is great for groups...
Free Online Resources for Speech Therapy: Keeping Older Students Engaged With Technology
Working with students in high school isn’t always easy. Most don’t want to be singled out and may feel like coming to speech is for little kids. I try to make an effort to get them to “buy in” even if it’s a tiny bit. One way to do this is to find interesting...
Best Websites to Make Free Study Materials
Key Takeaways Online tools for studying offer convenience and organization. These websites are accessible for students regardless of their technology. Features include making flashcards, study guides, and collaborating with others. Various subjects and standardized...
Quick iPad Tips for Efficient Speech & Language Therapy
As an SLP, it's pretty much a given now that you're working with an iPad. At times, the iPad can be a great tool and opens us up to a world of possibilities. Other times, it can be frustrating to try to figure out what the hundreds of different settings do! Today I'm...
Fresh Ideas for Summer Speech Lessons
For those of you working over the summer, I’ve been brainstorming some fun thematic speech lessons. One of the schools I work in over the summer selects a theme for each classroom, ranging from outer space, countries, to ocean animals, etc. Bouncing ideas off of the...
Using Readily Available Material for Speech and Language Sessions
As SLP’s we’re always on the hunt for new materials to use. Instead of spending time that we probably don’t have searching, I’ve been trying to use my time wisely and take advantage of materials that are ready to go. Local online newspaper sites are the perfect go-to...
No-Prep Activities
Staying Calm: Strategies for Students to Handle Difficult Situations
Introduction It's natural for students to feel upset or uncomfortable when faced with unexpected or challenging situations. However, it's crucial for them to learn how to stay calm and manage their emotions in a healthy and respectful manner. This not only helps...
Solve It: A Problem-Solving Game for Middle School Students
Introduction Social-Emotional Learning is essential for the development of middle school students. One critical skill is problem-solving, which helps them navigate everyday challenges. Welcome to Solve It, a game designed to teach students about problem-solving in an...
Conversation Drivers and Stoppers: A Bingo Game for Effective Communication
Introduction Communication is an essential skill for students to develop throughout their lives. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of conversation drivers and conversation stoppers, and how they impact effective communication. Conversation drivers are...
Unlocking Self-Control: The Power of the Self-Controller Scanner
Introduction Self-control is a vital skill that allows us to manage our feelings and behaviors, even in challenging situations. It helps us resist impulsive actions and prevent our emotions from taking over our minds and actions. The Self-Controller Scanner is a...
Helping High School Students Cope with Teasing: Strategies and Activities
Introduction Teasing is a common experience for everyone, especially in high school. It can lead to feelings of sadness, anger, and frustration. As educators, it's essential to equip our students with strategies to handle teasing effectively. By incorporating...
Coping Strategies for High School Students After a Breakup
Introduction Breakups are difficult, especially for high school students. It can be hard on our self-esteem to realize someone doesn't want to date us. This blog post will present some strategies to help students cope after a breakup, incorporating principles of...
Teaching Sarcasm Recognition: Activities and Discussions for Educators
Introduction Sarcasm is a form of communication where a person says something but means the opposite. It's a type of Disguised Thought that can be difficult and confusing for students to understand. Recognizing sarcasm is an essential social-emotional skill, as it...
Teaching Conversation Skills: Activities and Questions for Educators
As educators, we understand that teaching students how to effectively communicate is a vital component of their social-emotional development. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that helps students practice initiating and maintaining conversations,...
Teaching Polite Greetings: A Social Skill for Special Education Students
Introduction As educators, one of our goals is to help our students develop strong social skills to navigate their daily lives effectively. In special education, teaching these skills is particularly important, as students may need additional support to understand and...
Teaching Collaborative Skills in Middle School: No-Prep Activity and Discussion Questions
Introduction Collaboration is a vital skill for students to develop, as it promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity that encourages middle school students to work together in a group setting, such as...
Teaching PreK Students to Observe and Understand Others’ Emotions
As educators, it's essential to help our young students develop the ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others. This skill plays a crucial role in forming healthy relationships and fostering a positive learning environment. In this blog post, we will...
Learning from Observation: An Activity for High School Students
Introduction When students find themselves in new situations or facing unfamiliar tasks, they may experience fear or uncertainty. However, these moments also present valuable opportunities for students to develop and practice their social-emotional learning skills. By...
Teaching Students the Importance of Helping Others and Building Strong Friendships
In today's fast-paced world, it's essential for students to learn the value of helping others and being good friends. By fostering these social skills, we can create a more empathetic and supportive environment for everyone. In this blog post, we will explore an easy,...
Teaching PreK Students to Engage in Conversations by Focusing on Others’ Interests
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching PreK students to engage in conversations by focusing on others' interests, as demonstrated by the interaction between Kate and Jake. Developing this skill will help young children build strong social...
Teaching Elementary Students to Introduce Themselves: A Key Social Skill
Introduction Introducing oneself is a vital social skill that helps children make new friends, be polite, and create a positive impression. This essential skill enables students to engage in meaningful conversations with their peers and feel more comfortable in social...
