Shaped

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

Featured Posts

Wayne Westland SD teachers in a classroom

A Fresh Approach to Intervention Is Boosting Achievement in a Michigan School District

Hear from educators about a new approach to intervention that’s raising student achievement in the Wayne-Westland Community School District, outside Detroit.

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Claudia Singkornrat Teachers in America podcast

Podcast: The 4-Day School Week with Dr. Claudia Singkornrat

Broward County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Dr. Claudia Singkornrat gives insight on her school’s 4-day schedule and how it impacts student learning.

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Differentiated Instruction Strategies and Examples for Teacher and Student Success

Here we provide differentiated instruction strategies and examples that teachers can use to ensure students have choices for the way that they learn new information, practice skills, and demonstrate understanding.

Amber Silverman

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National Poetry Month Activities for Middle and High School Classrooms

From nursery rhymes to absurdist poetry to rap, these activities will help your middle or high school class celebrate National Poetry Month this April.

Ali Habashi

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8 Fun Spring Science Experiments and Activities

8 Fun Spring Science Experiments and Activities

Check out these 8 fun spring science experiments and activities that help students learn more about animals, nature, and the environment.

Alicia Ivory

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Latest Posts

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9 Summer Math Activities: Preventing Math Summer Slide

Try these 9 summer math activities designed for preventing math summer slide. These are repeatable games and activities appropriate for all children in any grade.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Math 180 Frequently Asked Questions Hero

Math 180: Frequently Asked Questions

Find out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Math 180, an intensive intervention program known for helping to raise student achievement in math by more than two years in one school year.

Robert Hansen
Vice President Product Management, HMH

Summer learning activities for elementary and middle school students

15 Fun Summer School Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

As the school year ends, keep kids engaged with these fun summer school activities for elementary and middle school students.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Checking Student Understanding: What Is an Exit Ticket in School?

This article answers the question, “What is an exit ticket in school?” Plus, learn why this formative assessment type is important in the classroom.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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9 Fun Easter Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Hop to it! Try these hands-on Easter activities for elementary and middle school students. Your class will have fun while sharpening reading, writing, and STEM skills.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Tips for Integrating Math Technology in the Classroom

Find tips for integrating math technology in the classroom, along with insights into what makes technology effective in math class.

Erin Bailey
Elementary Instructional Coach

WF1877983 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Math 180 Research Study

Math Intervention That Works: A Math 180 Case Study

A case study of Math 180 is described and explained as part of the research that HMH conducts to test its intervention products

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Two children in the classroom counting

Magic and Mathematics: A Guess My Number Math Game

In this hands-on “Guess My Number Math Game” activity for students in kindergarten and up, students can thrill and awe their peers with a mathematical magic trick.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1857300 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Mathematical Discourse in the Classroom hero

A Prime Time for Discussion: Mathematical Discourse in the Classroom

Learn what mathematical discourse in the classroom is, along with how to use math discourse in the classroom.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Math Diagnostic Assessment: What It Is and How to Use It

Math diagnostic assessment is defined, explained, and compared to other types of assessment, such as formative assessment and summative assessment.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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

Fun Christmas Activities School

9 Fun Christmas Activities for School

Try our fun Christmas classroom activities for school. 'Tis the season to be jolly—while boosting math, reading, and writing skills, of course!

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Changing Lives Through Intervention in Schools

Intervention in school is defined, and key insights into how to provide effective intervention are provided.

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

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11 Instructional Intervention Strategies and Examples

Explore 11 evidence-based instructional interventions and instructional intervention examples that you can use today to help your students succeed.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

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9 National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students: A Celebration of Culture

Use these National Hispanic Heritage Month activities and lesson ideas to honor Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society.

Daniel Poremba
Senior Tier II Specialist, HMH

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Teaching with RTI: Math Tier 2 and Tier 3 Strategies

These RTI math Tier 2 and Tier 3 strategies strive to provide teachers with a systematic approach to early math intervention.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

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What Is Procedural Fluency in Math?

This article explains what is procedural fluency in math. Common myths are explored, along with how procedural fluency changes across grades.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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What Is Conceptual Understanding in Math?

Many teachers ask, what is conceptual understanding in math? This article explains the difference between conceptual understanding and procedural fluency and how to improve math understanding.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Collecting Data Lesson Plans for 1st and 2nd Grade

Try these collecting data lesson plans for 1st and 2nd grade to introduce students to tally charts and other ways to collect and interpret data.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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