From setup to support, HMH will ensure your back-to-school season runs smoothly. Let’s go.

Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Featured Posts

Black image with sunburst that reads HMH Pulse Foundations

Closing the Gap Between Data and Decisions: From Scattered Data to One Clear Picture

Tier 1 instruction is where learning happens, but too often, data doesn’t translate into action. Discover how HMH Pulse turns assessment insights into clear, next-day instructional decisions teachers can trust.

Read More
How to align multilingual instruction with the science of reading

What Does the Science of Reading Mean for Multilingual Learners?

Discover how research-based literacy practices and language support work together to help multilingual learners build strong reading skills and thrive in the classroom.

Read Now
Middle School Classroom Management

12 Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work

Create a healthy and happy learning environment with middle school classroom management strategies that are rooted in brain science.

Dr. Michael Vea

Read More
WF2702202 Shaped 2026 Blog Post Science of Reading Lesson Plan Templates HERO

Science of Reading Lesson Plan Templates for K–5

Get free, printable science of reading lesson plan templates to help you plan evidence-based instruction across grades K-5 and learn more about what makes a lesson science of reading–aligned.

Onalee Smith

Read More
WF1608885 back to school activities resources 2024 aggregate hero

2026 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2026 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

Read More

Latest Posts

Teacher working with a student in the classroom

Intervention Articles and Resources for Teachers

Browse our intervention articles and resources to find articles to support your students and help close the learning gap in your classroom.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Cedarsprep 2021 MG 4106 16x9

Special Education Professional Development for Teachers: Building Capacity That Improves Student Outcomes

What does special education professional development for teachers look like? And how can school and district leaders build systems that help educators continuously grow? Here’s a closer look at what effective professional learning involves and how to put it into practice.

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

Dr. Zabrina Cannady
Director of Professional Learning, The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)

teacher writing on a vertical surface

Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics

Learn about Building Thinking Classrooms in mathematics, including how to get started and choose thinking tasks.

Mary Resanovich
NWEA Lead Assessment Designer, HMH

Text HMH Pulse Foundations with a solar sunburst black and red

Closing the Gap Between Data and Decisions: From Scattered Data to One Clear Picture

Tier 1 instruction is where learning happens, but too often, data doesn’t translate into action. Discover how HMH Pulse turns assessment insights into clear, next-day instructional decisions teachers can trust.

Dr. Tyler Matta
Vice President of Learning Science Engineering, NWEA

teacher leading students in a classroom discussion

Discourse in Math: The Power of a Single Question

Discourse in math is explored by having students apply different strategies to a single question.

Sarah Hogg
Professional Learning Consultant, HMH

HMH Brand Photos 2024 Contextual G1 190 16x9

What Is Informal Formative Assessment?

Find out the answer to the question, “What is informal formative assessment?” Plus, explore examples and strategies.

Michael J. Bolz, PhD
Principal Learning Experience Designer, HMH

Dr. Katie James
Staff Learning Scientist, HMH

22 PBIS Reward Ideas to Make PBIS a School Hero Image

26 PBIS Reward Ideas to Make PBIS a School-Wide Celebration

Explore 26 PBIS rewards ideas for individual students, classrooms, and school-wide incentives. Find success in teaching students positive classroom behaviors.

Casey Brown
Shaped Contributor

Graphic organizer templates

Free Graphic Organizer Templates

Use these free graphic organizer templates to help your students communicate more effectively by classifying ideas, structuring writing projects, and more.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

A teacher is working with a small group of students

What Is Tier 2 Intervention in Education? 

Learn what is Tier 2 intervention in education, including how it relates to MTSS, special education, Tier 1 core instruction, and Tier 3 intervention

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Hero making the case for a knowledge building curriculum

Making the Case for a Knowledge-Building Curriculum

What began as one teacher’s search for ways to teach nonfiction became a lesson in the power of a knowledge-building curriculum.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Middle School Classroom Management

12 Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work

Create a healthy and happy learning environment with middle school classroom management strategies that are rooted in brain science.

Dr. Adriana Chavarín-López
Strategy and Instructional Support Officer, San Diego Unified School District

Dr. Michael Vea
Strategy and Instructional Support Officer, San Diego Unified School District

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Scaffolding Reading Instruction Hero Image

Scaffolding Reading Instruction: Supporting All Readers with Grade-Level Text

Learn more about scaffolding reading instruction and strategies to implement before, during, and after reading to help students engage with challenging texts.

Dr. Jennifer Throndsen
Education Advisor

HMH Brand Photos 2024 Lifestyle G7 261 1600x900

Reliability and Validity in Educational Assessment: From Theory to Classroom Practice  

Understand what makes an assessment trustworthy and why it matters for students. This article breaks down reliability, validity, and fairness into clear, practical insights educators and leaders can use to make more confident, equitable decisions.

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

Hero teacher built chatbots

The Hidden Risks of Teacher-Built AI Chatbots and What to Consider Instead

Teacher-built AI chatbots offer flexibility, but they also come with tradeoffs. Here's why curriculum-based AI offers more reliable, instructionally sound support.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1417802 BTS Writing Prompts HS and MS Hero

35 Back-to-School Writing Prompts for Middle and High School

School's back in session, which means it's time for a fresh batch of writing prompts for the new year. Have your high school or middle school students try these back-to-school prompts this fall.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1608885 back to school activities resources 2024 aggregate hero

2026 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2026 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

Female student smiling in elementary classroom

10 Math Icebreakers: Games and Activities for All Grades

These math icebreakers are games and activities that span all grades to help math teachers get students practicing math while getting to know one another.

Shaped Staff

School Calendar Themes Hero

2026–2027 Monthly Calendar Themes for School

Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Shorty Audience Honor 1x1 png

Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

Digiday Finalist Awards 1x1 png

Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

Podcast Awards Peoples Choice Awards 1x1 png

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.