Shaped

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

Latest Posts

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Classroom Rituals and Routines Examples

These classroom rituals and routines will ensure your school year is successful.

Amanda Patterson, EdD
National Director, Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

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Creating an Inclusive School: Action Items for Administrators

Learn about action items for creating an inclusive school and ensuring equitable instruction so that that all students, especially underrepresented students or marginalized students, feel like they belong.

Anthony Colannino
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Leading & Teaching for Growth, LLC; Author of Leading with Head and Heart

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Understand How the Human Brain Works to Build Classroom Routines

As you return to your school or classroom, keep these ideas in mind to create a neuro-friendly environment as a teacher or administrator.

Adam Drummond, EdD
Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools and Author, Instructional Leadership

6 strategies for building community in the classroom

6 Strategies for Building Community in the Classroom

How do you foster a sense of safety and belonging so students can focus their energy on learning? These strategies for building community in the classroom will help.

Perry Hollins
Fourth-Grade Teacher, Evanston/Skokie School District, Illinois

The benefits of independent reading in the classroom

The Benefits of Independent Reading in the Classroom

There are various benefits of independent reading, including improving your students’ fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Read more about how you can empower your students to become lifelong readers by providing an independent reading library.

Shaped Staff

Accelerated learning techniques for the classroom

Accelerated Learning Techniques for the Classroom

Need to catch kids up or move them forward? Try these research-backed accelerated learning techniques.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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How to Re-establish Math Conversations This Fall

Five routines are provided to help math teachers establish routines and promote mathematical discussions this school year. The routines consist of four Talk Moves and one language routine.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Assessing with Purpose: Formative Assessment in Science

Dynamic science formative assessment engages students and promotes their thinking; additionally, it informs instruction for educators.

Shaped Staff

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No Subject Is an Island: Why and How to Implement an Integrated Curriculum

Learn the benefits of an integrated curriculum, along with how instruction can be integrated across subjects and standards.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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4 Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies

An educator shares four trauma-informed teaching strategies to improve instruction for students who need it based on her experience across different schools.

Jenn Evans, M.Ed.
Senior Product Marketing Manager for Supplemental & Intervention Solutions, HMH

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Leverage Knowledge of Self to Engage Your Students with Dr. Chris Emdin

Dr. Chris Emdin, an associate professor at Columbia University, writes that before you can connect with your students, it is critical to lean into who you are.

Shaped Staff

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Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas from Principals and Administrators

Looking for the perfect way to say “Thank-you” to educators? We’ve collected Teacher Appreciation Week ideas from principals and administrators across the country. Feel free to steal or revamp them as you please.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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3 Strategies for Redesigning Professional Development Now and Post-COVID

As educators plan for the future, here are three strategies to consider when it comes to teacher professional development for now and in the next school year.

Amanda Patterson, EdD
National Director, Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

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Against All Odds: Alexandria Middle Magnet School’s Success Story

Nobody believed Alexandria Middle Magnet School had a promising future. With Principal Dennis Stewart and his leadership team's guidance and the support of turnaround specialists and the ICLE, the school transformed in three years against all odds.

Shaped Staff

Social and Emotional Learning Strategies

10 Social and Emotional Learning Strategies for Responding to COVID-19

Nurturing students social emotional learning during COVID-19 is essential. Explore key SEL principles that schools and educators can use during the pandemic.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

research-backed ways to close the COVID learning gap

6 Research-Backed Ways to Close the COVID Learning Gap

These strategies for closing the COVID Learning Gap can support efforts to improve student outcomes and help address the issue of interrupted schooling.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Virtual Academy

Creating a Virtual Academy in Your District? Here Are 6 Things to Consider

Some kids are benefitting from our experiment with online learning during the pandemic, and districts across the country are building virtual academies to meet their needs.

Dr. Robert Dillon
School Designer, Author, Educator

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Podcast: Creating Classroom Content Worth Watching with CJ Reynolds

Meet CJ Reynolds, a high school teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By creating the teacher YouTube channel Real Rap with Reynolds, he has discovered that what might be ordinary for his classroom, may be someone else's extraordinary.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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