Shaped: The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Education Blog

Redefining How We Teach Reading for the 21st Century

In a world increasingly driven by technology, it's time for educators to focus on teaching lessons that prepare students for digital reading.

Erik Palmer

Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

December 09, 2019

Building a Community School: How Local Partnerships Bring Success

What is a community school? The community school model allows schools to establish partnerships with local organizations and businesses for resources to benefit students.

MaryEllen Elia

Senior Fellow, ICLE

December 06, 2019

An Hour of Code Activity: Celebrate Computer Science Education Week

What is the Hour of Code? Why is coding important for students to learn? Answer these questions and more with this 2019 Hour of Code Week activity.

Reynaldo Vargas

Product Manager for MATH 180

December 06, 2019

Teaching World Languages: The Co-Constructed Feedback Process (Pt. 2)

A Spanish teacher explores the benefits of implementing co-constructed feedback to promote positive classroom relationships.

Jori Greenhill

Spanish Teacher

December 05, 2019

Teaching Mindfulness in the Classroom With Early Learners

Begin teaching mindfulness in the classroom with your early learners using this handy primer from a veteran teacher for practicing mindfulness in schools with your students.

Kim Block

Retired Teacher

December 04, 2019

Start a Classroom Service Project and Support Student Voice

Get your class invested in giving back this holiday season by sharing the story of Bana Alabed, a Syrian refugee living in Turkey, and asking students how they can help others who might be suffering.

Onalee Smith

Shaped Staff

December 03, 2019

The Best Holiday Books for Kids to Celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah

This list of the best holiday books for kids can help you celebrate winter festivities in the classroom. These Hanukkah and Christmas books will also teach your students about religious traditions.

Susan Steinway

Archivist, HMH

December 03, 2019

12 Winter Holiday Classroom Games, Activities, and Craft Ideas

Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa in the classroom with this variety of holiday classroom games, activities, and crafts.

Jordan Friedman

Shaped Staff

December 02, 2019

Teaching the Renaissance: World History Lesson Plan and Activities

Use this Renaissance lesson plan and activities for middle school and high school to teach your students about this era of cultural "rebirth" in the 14th to 17th centuries.

Shaped Staff

November 27, 2019

New Wings: Writing Praise Poems in the Classroom

Poet Glenis Redmond says teaching students how to write a praise poem is a great way to dive into metaphors and similes and have them flex their creative muscles.

Glenis Redmond

Poet and Teaching Artist

November 26, 2019