Everyday Speech Blog

Social Skill Lesson Plans and Articles

Conversation Skills Activities for High School Students
Conversation Skills Activities for High School Students

By high school, conversations become more nuanced. Students are expected to shift between informal peer interactions and more formal exchanges with adults, adjust their tone and language, and handle topics that are increasingly complex or sensitive. Strong...

Conversation Skills Activities for Middle School Students
Conversation Skills Activities for Middle School Students

In middle school, conversation skills become more layered and socially demanding. Students are expected to respond to different audiences, adapt their language based on context, and participate in more dynamic exchanges with peers and adults. These skills affect more...

10 Conversation Skills Activities for Elementary Students
10 Conversation Skills Activities for Elementary Students

Strong conversation skills help elementary students become confident, collaborative communicators. At this age, students are learning how to start and maintain conversations with peers, stay on topic, and express themselves appropriately in social settings. These...

How to Prevent the Summer Slide (Free Materials for PK-12)
How to Prevent the Summer Slide (Free Materials for PK-12)

When school ends for the year, social learning often pauses. Without structured routines, peer interaction, and adult support, many students begin to lose the communication and self-regulation skills they worked hard to build. This regression—often called the summer...

No-Prep Activities

Developing Empathy: Activities and Discussions for Educators
Developing Empathy: Activities and Discussions for Educators

Introduction Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, or "putting yourself in someone else's shoes." This essential social-emotional learning skill helps students form meaningful connections with their peers, fostering positive...

Teaching Kindergarten Students to Be Social Chameleons
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...

Teaching PreK Students the Importance of Staying with the Group
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 Independence to PreK Students: Activities and Discussions
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 PreK Students to Recognize Interest in Conversations
Teaching PreK Students to Recognize Interest in Conversations

Introduction Teaching young children effective communication skills is an essential part of their development. One crucial aspect of communication is the ability to recognize when someone is interested in the conversation. This skill helps students build better...

Teaching Small Talk Skills to Students in Special Education
Teaching Small Talk Skills to Students in Special Education

Introduction Small talk is a crucial social skill that allows individuals to engage in short, polite conversations with others, especially when interacting with strangers or acquaintances. By teaching students in Special Education how to make small talk, we can help...

Box Breathing: A Powerful Technique for Middle School Students
Box Breathing: A Powerful Technique for Middle School Students

Deep breathing is an essential skill that helps students maintain a calm state of mind, allowing them to think clearly and calmly. One such powerful technique is Box Breathing, a simple yet effective method for controlling worries, anger, and fears. In this blog post,...