Shaped

A community-driven blog supporting educators, building lifelong learners, and shaping the future of education.* 

 

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Featured Posts

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How Has Technology Changed Education?

Here we take a deep dive into the question, “How has technology changed education?” and uncover tech’s role in opening up new possibilities for teaching and learning.

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[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Education Predictions for 2025 with Shawn Young

[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Education Predictions for 2025 with Shawn Young 

What will be trending in education in 2025? Host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Classcraft cofounder and HMH’s SVP of product management and strategy Shawn Young to discuss 2025 education predictions. 

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7 Fun Spring Activities for Elementary Students

Happy spring! Try these 7 spring activities for elementary students for ideas to celebrate the season!

Alicia Ivory

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What Is RTI in Elementary School? A Powerful Tool, Reimagined

This blog post explores the question, “What is RTI in elementary school?” and how RTI serves as a powerful framework to ensure all students have the right support they need to succeed.

Dr. Bonnie Cochran

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How One District Uses Data to Drive Student Success

Learn about how Blue Springs School District in Missouri recognized the urgent need to address learning gaps and reduce the burden of catch-up while providing support and actionable data to inform teaching and better meet students' needs.

Onalee Smith

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Latest Posts

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Instructional Scaffolding Examples & Strategies

Meet students where they are with these instructional scaffolding examples and strategies that can be applied across subjects and grade levels.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

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Showing Up, Shining, and Resilience During Mental Health Awareness Month

Learn about the importance of mental health in schools and workplaces, with some "glimmers" along the way.

Benita Flucker
Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer, SVP Enterprise Development Strategy, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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What Are Open Middle Math Problems?

Find out what are Open Middle math problems, along with why to use them and resources to find them.

Robert Kaplinsky
Mathematics Educator, Long Beach, CA

WF2224800 Shaped 2025 Blog Post HMH Labs AI Video Blog with Angela Maiers ep3

A Global Look at AI: A Conversation with Dr. Kecia Ray and Joseph South

Dr. Kecia Ray is joined by Joseph South, a national educational technology leader who serves as the Chief Learning Officer at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Learn more about the global role of AI in education.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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7 Fun Reading Intervention Activities for Elementary School

Learn more about a variety of intervention strategies, including reading comprehension and small-group reading intervention activities, to support differentiated instruction and tier 3 reading intervention.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

WF2224800 Shaped 2025 Blog Post HMH Labs AI Video Blog with Angela Maiers ep2

The Human Touch of AI: A Conversation with Dr. Kecia Ray and Angela Maiers

In this discussion, Dr. Kecia Ray and Angela Maiers explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Angela Maiers is a renowned educator, author, and founder of the "Choose to Matter" movement, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing every individual's significance.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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What Do Teachers Want for Teacher Appreciation Week? 

We reached out to teachers and asked them to share the most meaningful ways principals, students, and families can show appreciation for Teacher Appreciation Week and all year long. Here's what they said.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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What Is Professional Learning for Teachers?

Explore what is professional learning for teachers, including its definition, benefits, and ways to engage with it.

Lynn Walters

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Free Printable End-of-Year Gift Tags for Students

Create a memorable send-off to the school year and save time preparing by using these free printable end-of-year gift tags for students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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How to Teach Vocabulary to Your Students

Learn how to teach vocabulary to your students. Explore 8 engaging ways to teach vocabulary that will help your students to draw connections.

Emily Hamm
Shaped Contributor

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What Are Interim Assessments in Education? 

Discover what interim assessments are, how they differ from formative and summative tests, and how they help educators track student progress, inform instruction, and improve academic outcomes.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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6 Classroom Discussion Strategies for Engaging All Students

Explore classroom discussion strategies that can help you to engage all students while keeping them on track.

Jenny Fulton
Shaped Contributor

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13 Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom

Technology is a powerful tool that can positively impact learning. Explore the pros and potential cons of technology use in the classroom.

Casey Brown
Shaped Contributor

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Fun Professional Development Activities for Teachers 

Professional development can be enjoyable and effective. Get tips to ensure that it not only addresses serious aspects of teaching but also brings joy.

Amanda Partida
Lead Instructional Designer, HMH

Classcraft 8 Thoughtful Questions Teachers Can Ask Themselves to Keep Growing as Educators

8 Thoughtful End-of-Year Teacher Reflection Questions to Keep Growing as Educators

Explore 8 end-of-year teacher reflection questions to ponder as an educator.

Shaddoe Lambert
Former Teacher; HMH Product Manager

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6 Tips for Building Positive Relationships with Parents and Caregivers

Discover 6 tips for building positive relationships with parents and guardians that will strengthen connections and boost student success!

Mary Dean
Shaped Contributor

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Are Your Interventions Creating the Outcomes You Want at Scale? 

Learn how district leaders can scale effective interventions to drive student success. Explore strategies for system coherence, professional learning, and accountability to improve student outcomes.

Dr. Suzanne Jimenez
Director of Academic Planning and Data Analytics at HMH

Dr. Bonnie Cochran
Director of Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

WF2093761 Shaped 2025 Blog Post What Is RTI in Elementary School Final

What Is RTI in Elementary School? A Powerful Tool, Reimagined

This blog post explores the question, “What is RTI in elementary school?” and how RTI serves as a powerful framework to ensure all students have the right support they need to succeed.

Dr. Bonnie Cochran
Director of Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

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Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

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People’s Choice Podcast Awards

Finalist, 2021 & 2023, Teachers in America

*The views expressed in our blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.