Shaped

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

Latest Posts

Boy Typing 472

Four Ways to Help Students Become Better Writers

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Program Author Dr. Bill McBride shares four ways to help students analyze complex prompts and become better writers.

Dr. Bill McBride
Author-in-Residence

Laurie Cutting Post

What Does Brain Science Research Say Students Should be Reading?

Dr. Laurie E. Cutting
Professor, Vanderbilt University

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Next Generation Science Standards: The Times, They are a-Changing

HMH Program Author Michael DiSpezio explains the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and how they help guide effective science instruction.

Michael DiSpezio
Author, ScienceFusion and HMH Science Dimensions Programs

Girl Reading Poetry 472

Getting It by Heart: The Value in Memorizing Poetry

In celebration of National Poetry Month, HMH ELA Program Author Carol Jago explains the value in memorizing poetry and the importance of uninterrupted reading.

Carol Jago
HMH Author and Associate Director, California Reading & Literature Project at UCLA

Boys Studying Math 472

Word Problems vs. Problem Solving: Are Students Problem Solving While Doing Word Problems in Math Class?

Math Solutions Development Manager Mary Mitchell analyzes the difference between word problems and problem solving in the math classroom.

Mary Mitchell
Professional Learning Program Designer

Matt Sherry Curious Classroom 472

An ‘Out of This World’ Interdisciplinary Lesson

Sherry Mitchell and Matt DiGioia, teachers at Harry M. Bailey Middle School in West Haven, CT and second place winners of the HMH Curious Classroom Contest, reflect upon their passion for teaching, as well as their involvement with the Contest and the HMH Marketplace.

HMHCo

Attentive Listening Kinsella 472

Attentive Listening: An Overlooked Component of Academic Interaction

HMH program author Kate Kinsella, Ed.D. offers insights and strategies to support English learners in becoming focused listeners in the classroom.

Dr. Kate Kinsella
Author, English 3D; Co-Author, Read 180®; Teacher Educator, Researcher; CEO, Dr. Kate Kinsella & Associates

Heather W Award Thumb 472

Moving and Grooving to the Beat of Math

HMH sits down with Heather Francis, the first place winner of the HMH Curious Classroom Contest, to talk about how she inspires out-of-the-box thinking by teaching math concepts through dance.

HMHCo

Book Covers Don Brown

On Writing About Tragedy for Young Readers

I have written two-dozen non-fiction history books for kids over as many years. My latest books recount an environmental disaster and a killer hurricane, neither of which is an easy topic for readers regardless of age. The question I often face is how to present difficult material to kids?

Don Brown
Author and Illustrator

Carol Jago 472

Beyond the Written Word Close Readings of Complex Visual Texts

Visual artists approach their work with the same purposes as writers: to persuade, to explain, and to convey experience real or imagined. The difference is in their tools. While writers employ diction, syntax, and imagery to establish a tone and convey their message; visual artists use color, line, shape, object, and scale.

Carol Jago
HMH Author and Associate Director, California Reading & Literature Project at UCLA

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The Power of Social Media

While social media has become one of the most popular ways for us to engage and interact with one another, its integration into the classroom is still in its infancy.

Alex Honeysett
Former Director of Communications, Channel One News

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