Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free High School Worksheet: Help Students Discover and Apply Their Strengths
By high school, students are used to being evaluated—on grades, test scores, behavior, and participation. But they don’t always get a chance to reflect on the strengths that go beyond academics. And without that reflection, it’s easy for teens to overlook what they’re...
Instructional Strategies and Resources to Support Anxious Students
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges students face, yet it often goes unrecognized in school settings. It may show up as avoidance, emotional outbursts, frequent visits to the nurse, or complete disengagement. While educators are not expected to...
Free High School Worksheet: Becoming More Independent
By the time students reach high school, independence is often expected—but not always explicitly taught. Teens are navigating more responsibilities, more freedom, and higher stakes, but that doesn’t mean they always feel ready. The Becoming More Independent worksheet...
Try These No-Prep Self-Advocacy Activities for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students
Self-advocacy is one of the most important life skills students can build—and one of the most overlooked. Whether a student needs to ask for extra time on a test, speak up in a group project, or express a personal opinion, being able to advocate for themselves helps...
Free Middle School Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Honoring My Strengths
Middle schoolers are at a turning point—not quite kids, not quite teens. At this age, self-esteem can dip, peer comparison increases, and students begin to define themselves more clearly through both strengths and struggles. That’s why this Honoring My Strengths...
Free Middle School Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Speaking Up With Friends
Middle school friendships can be tricky. From group projects to text threads, students are navigating a lot of unspoken social dynamics—while also trying to figure out who they are. It’s no surprise many struggle to speak up when something feels off. The Speaking Up...
Free High School Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Advocating for Yourself
By the time students reach high school, we often expect them to speak up for themselves—to share opinions, ask for support, and self-advocate in challenging situations. But many teens still struggle with this. Whether it’s nerves, self-doubt, or a lack of tools, they...
Free Elementary Self-Advocacy Worksheet: Speaking Up at School
Some students have no trouble asking for what they need. Others might freeze, whisper, or say nothing—even when they’re struggling. Learning to speak up at school is a foundational self-advocacy skill that helps students build independence, confidence, and trust in...
Free Self-Advocacy Poster for Elementary, Middle, and High School Classrooms
Whether it’s asking for a break, getting clarification, or speaking up when something doesn’t feel right, self-advocacy is one of the most important life skills students can build. But many students—especially those with communication challenges or social-emotional...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching the Importance of Listening in Teamwork: Activities and Discussion Questions
Introduction Working together is a crucial skill for students to develop, as it allows them to engage effectively in group projects, extracurricular activities, and future professional settings. A key aspect of successful teamwork is the ability to listen to others'...
Small Talk: A Key Component of Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction Small talk is a fundamental aspect of human interaction that plays a crucial role in building connections and fostering relationships. It involves brief, casual conversations on general topics that everyone can relate to, such as the weather or the...
Enhancing Communication with Visual Referencing: A Guide for Educators
Introduction Effective communication is at the heart of social-emotional learning. Educators play a crucial role in teaching students the importance of paying attention during conversations, making the speaker feel valued and heard. One common way to show this is...
Teaching PreK Students to Show Interest in Conversations
Introduction Engaging in meaningful conversations is an essential life skill that helps children develop strong social connections. One key aspect of this skill is showing interest in the conversation. By teaching PreK students to use an excited tone of voice,...
Teaching Responsibility for Mistakes: A No-Prep Activity for Special Education Students
Introduction Teaching students to take responsibility for their mistakes is an essential aspect of their social-emotional learning journey. This skill helps them to develop honesty, accountability, and resilience. By understanding that making mistakes is a natural...
Teaching Open Minds: A Guide for PreK Educators
Introduction In the world of PreK education, it's crucial to teach students the importance of having an Open Mind. An Open Mind allows children to adapt to change and embrace new ideas, which leads to better relationships with peers and a healthier learning...
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills with Solve It: A Step-by-Step Game for Elementary Students
Introduction Problem-solving is a crucial skill for students to develop, both in and out of the classroom. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, we can help students navigate challenging situations and foster healthy relationships with their peers....
Teaching Conversation Length with the Conversation Measuring Cup
Introduction As educators working with students in Special Education, we understand that conversations can vary in length and depth. Sometimes, students may struggle to gauge how much they should be talking in different situations, which can lead to confusion or...
Helping Students Manage Worries and Make Good Choices
As educators, it's essential to teach students how to manage their worries and make good choices, both in situations they can control and those they can't. This blog post will discuss Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles and provide a no-prep activity,...
Building Friendships: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction Friendships are essential for the social and emotional growth of all students, including those in special education. A strong friendship is built on mutual interests, trust, and equal effort from both parties. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep...
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Be Social Chameleons
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching our students not only academic skills but also social skills that will help them navigate the world around them. One such skill is the ability to be a Social Chameleon. This blog post will explore what it means to...
Am I Ready to Date? A Guide for High School Students and Educators
Introduction High school is a time of significant personal growth and change, and it's natural for students to start considering romantic relationships. But how do they know if they're ready to date or start a relationship with someone? This blog post will explore an...
Thriving at Home: Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Educators and Students
Introduction The current global situation has led to an increased emphasis on staying home and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of a virus. This shift in our daily lives can be challenging, but it also presents an opportunity for educators and...
Teaching Flexibility and Open-mindedness to Kindergarteners
In today's ever-changing world, it is crucial for children to learn the importance of being flexible and open-minded. This blog post focuses on introducing these concepts to kindergarten students through a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills. By...
Understanding Peer Pressure in Kindergarten: Activities and Tips for Educators
Introduction Peer pressure is a common experience for children, even in kindergarten. It occurs when classmates or friends try to influence one another to do something, either as a joke or in a more serious manner. Sometimes, peer pressure can be a form of bullying...