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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...
How to Write IEP Goals: Example Goals for EVERY Skill
IEP goals shape the daily experience of students receiving special education services. They aren’t just legal requirements—they’re commitments. Each goal is a reflection of what the team believes the student can learn, how they’ll get there, and how success will be...
How to Build Student Agency: Resources & Strategies
Empowering students to take charge of their own learning is one of the most impactful things educators can do. When students develop agency, they build the skills needed to set goals, make decisions, and navigate challenges with confidence. In today’s educational...
No-Prep Activities
Teaching Elementary Students to Read a Room and Adapt Their Behavior
Introduction As educators, one of the crucial skills we need to develop in our elementary students is the ability to read a room and adapt their behavior accordingly. This involves observing the environment, the people in it, and their actions, helping them to make...
Teaching PreK Students the Art of Conversation: The Conversation Measuring Cup
Introduction Conversations come in all shapes and sizes, and as educators, it's important to teach our PreK students how to adapt their responses based on the situation. The Conversation Measuring Cup is a concept that helps young students understand when to give...
Teaching Good Sportsmanship: Activities and Discussions for Educators
Introduction As educators, it's important to teach students the value of good sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is an essential life skill that helps students understand and respect the feelings of others, even during competitive situations. In this blog post, we will...
Teaching High School Students the Skill of Being Tuned In
As educators, it's essential to help our high school students develop the ability to be aware of their own actions and the actions of others around them. This skill, known as being tuned in, allows students to adapt their behavior to different situations and settings,...
Solve It: A Step-by-Step Problem-Solving Game for High School Students
Introduction High school students often face challenges in their relationships and daily lives. To help them navigate these situations more effectively, it’s important to teach them valuable problem-solving skills. In this blog post, we will introduce a game called...
Understanding Relationships with the Relationship Ruler: A Guide for Special Education Educators
Introduction As educators, we know that teaching students about different levels of relationships is crucial for their social growth and development. The Relationship Ruler is an essential tool for helping students understand the various layers of relationships and...
Teaching Empathy to High School Students: Activities and Discussions
Introduction Empathy is a crucial skill that helps us connect with others and form meaningful relationships. It is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, often referred to as "putting yourself in someone else's shoes." Teaching empathy to high...
Teaching PreK Students the Importance of Following the Group
As educators, we know that teaching our young students the importance of following the group is essential for their social development. This blog post will provide you with an easy-to-follow activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help your PreK students...
Teaching Problem-Solving Skills with the Solve It Game for Special Education Students
Introduction Helping students learn problem-solving skills can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Problem-solving is a crucial life skill, and for students in Special Education, it can be particularly beneficial in navigating their day-to-day lives. In this...
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 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 Problem-Solving Skills to Middle School Students
Introduction Problem-solving skills are essential for success in life, and it's important to teach these skills to middle school students. As educators, we can help students learn how to identify problems, decide whether they are big or small, seek help when needed,...
Communicating About Distractions: A Guide for Educators
Introduction In a classroom setting, students often encounter situations where others may unknowingly cause distractions or engage in annoying behaviors. As educators, it's essential to teach students effective communication skills to address these situations calmly...
Teaching Emotions to Kindergarten Students with Emotions Bingo
Welcome to a blog post that introduces a fun and engaging activity designed for kindergarten students to learn about emotions and develop their social-emotional skills. The activity, Emotions Bingo, is based on a video that shows different people experiencing various...
Teaching Personal Space to PreK Students through Social-Emotional Learning
Introduction Personal space is an essential concept for young learners to understand. It helps them respect boundaries and maintain healthy relationships with their peers. In this blog post, we will discuss an engaging no-prep activity for teaching personal space to...
