Everyday Speech Blog
Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles
Free Elementary Play Skills Lesson
The playground is more than just a place for physical activity; it's a social hub where important life lessons unfold. For special educators, teaching students to include everyone on the playground is vital in fostering an environment of empathy and respect. Keep...
Free Preschool Winter-Themed Snow Globe Craft
Download Activity and Lesson Plan For preschool teachers, crafting engaging and educational activities that combine fun with learning is key. This blog post introduces a captivating lesson plan centered around the "Free Preschool Winter-Themed Snow Globe Craft" from...
Self-Control Matching Activity for Holidays
Download Activity and Lesson Plan The holiday season, while festive and exciting, can often be a challenging time for students, particularly those who struggle with changes in their routines. Managing emotions, behaviors, and impulses becomes crucial. This blog post...
Interactive Learning Preferences Activity for Middle School
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Understanding and accommodating diverse learning preferences is a cornerstone of effective teaching, especially in middle school special education. This blog post presents a detailed lesson plan around the "Interactive Learning...
Task Initiation Interactive Dice Roller
Download Activity and Lesson Plan In the realm of elementary special education, teaching students about executive functioning, especially task initiation, is crucial. As educators, we have the unique opportunity to equip our students with the skills necessary for...
Preschool Sharing Ideas in Play Video Lesson
Download Free Material & Lesson Plan In the vibrant world of preschool education, fostering social skills is as crucial as teaching letters and numbers. One essential aspect is guiding young learners to share ideas effectively with their peers during play. This...
Free High School Coping Strategies Sort
Download Activity and Lesson Plan Navigating the complex world of high school can be challenging for many students. As school-based mental health professionals in high schools, one of our most crucial roles is equipping students with effective coping strategies. This...
Free Elementary Thinking About Others Goal Poster
Download Activity and Lesson Plan In the colorful world of elementary education, teaching students to think about others is as important as any academic subject. As school counselors, you play a pivotal role in developing empathy and social awareness in young minds....
Interactive Job Skill Tool for High School
Download Activity and Lesson Plan As high school special educators, one of our key responsibilities is to prepare students for the workforce. Essential job skills, particularly collaboration, are crucial for success in any professional environment. This blog post...
No-Prep Activities
Turn-Taking Skills for Kindergarten Students: An Activity and Discussion Guide
Introduction Turn-taking is a fundamental social skill that kindergarten students need to learn in order to develop positive relationships with their peers. By practicing turn-taking, children learn to share, cooperate, and communicate effectively with others. This...
Teaching PreK Students the Importance of Staying with the Group
Introduction In the early stages of a child's development, learning to stay with the group is crucial for fostering positive social interactions and building strong relationships. This blog post will focus on an engaging no-prep activity for teaching PreK students the...
Teaching Kindergarten Students to Recognize and Manage Upset Feelings
Introduction Helping young students understand and manage their feelings is crucial for their personal and social development. In this blog post, we'll explore an engaging no-prep activity that can help Kindergarten students learn to recognize when they're feeling...
Teaching the Two Sides Game: Think It or Say It for Special Education Students
Introduction The Two Sides game is a valuable tool for educators working with special education students, focusing on social-emotional learning and encouraging thoughtful communication. In this game, students learn to differentiate between thoughts that should be...
Teaching Personal Hygiene: Public vs. Private Habits in Special Education
Introduction In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of teaching personal hygiene habits to students in special education settings. Personal hygiene refers to the practices we engage in to keep our bodies clean and healthy. Some personal hygiene habits are...
Teaching Kindergarteners to Think Before They Speak
As educators, we strive to teach our students not only academic skills but also important social-emotional skills. One such skill is the ability to think before speaking, especially when it comes to potentially hurtful thoughts. By teaching kindergarten students to...
Teaching Independence to PreK Students: Activities and Discussions
Developing independence is an essential skill for young children. As they grow, they will encounter situations that require them to be self-sufficient and make decisions on their own. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging, no-prep activity that promotes...
Teaching Students to Stay Calm and Focused When Others Aren’t Following Rules
Introduction As educators, one of our primary goals is to help students develop the necessary skills to navigate social situations and maintain focus in the classroom. One such skill that is especially important for students in special education is learning how to...
Teaching Waiting and Safe Hands Skills to Special Education Students
Introduction Teaching waiting and safe hands skills to students in special education is essential to their social-emotional development. These skills help students practice patience, self-control, and respect for others' personal space. This blog post will explore an...
Teaching Kindergarten Students the Conversation Stoplight: When to Talk and When to Listen
Introduction The Conversation Stoplight is a powerful tool for teaching young students how to effectively communicate in social settings. It helps them understand when to talk and when to listen, whether they're engaging with one person or a group. By using the...
Metacognition: Enhancing Self-Awareness in Special Education Students
Introduction As educators, we strive to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed academically and socially. One essential skill that can greatly benefit students in special education is metacognition. Metacognition, or "thinking about your thinking,"...
Teaching Students to Think About Others’ Feelings: Activities & Discussions
Introduction Incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom helps students develop empathy and better understand the feelings of their peers. By teaching students to think about others' feelings, educators can foster positive...
Helping Students Adapt to Changes in Plans and Develop Coping Strategies
Introduction Change is an inevitable part of life, and it's crucial for students to develop the ability to adapt to changes in their plans. This can be especially challenging for some students who may feel anxious or upset when confronted with unexpected situations....
Teaching Positive Self-Talk: Activities and Discussion for High School Students
Introduction Positive self-talk is a powerful tool that can help high school students overcome challenges and build their self-esteem. By replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, students can gain confidence and develop a more optimistic outlook on life. In...
Learning to Accept Help: A Guide for Elementary Educators
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching students to accept help from others, especially when they are struggling with a task. Accepting help is a crucial social-emotional skill that can enhance students' learning experiences and foster a positive...