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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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Latonia GrantTeachers in America podcast

Podcast: Embracing Data and Planning with It Feat. Latonia Grant

Third grade teacher and HMH Teacher Ambassador Latonia Grant discusses how data has been a valuable tool in her planning and instruction. Plus she shares data-driven planning tips, like how to lead data talks with students and how to collaboratively plan with peers.

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Differentiated Instruction Examples Hero

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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A Collaborative Learning Routine: What Is the Think-Pair-Share Strategy in Teaching?

Learn about what is think-pair-share in teaching and how to use this collaborative learning strategy in your classroom.

Dana Leon

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8 Spring Activities for Elementary Students

Happy spring! Need some engaging in-person and remote classroom activities to celebrate the season? Try these 8 spring activities for elementary students.

Alicia Ivory

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Latest Posts

WF1880715 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Science of Reading Small Group Reading Instruction Hero

Science of Reading: Small-Group Instruction Strategies

This article shares ideas on how to integrate the science of reading and evidenced-based instructional techniques in small-group reading instruction.

Dr. Martha C. Hougen
National consultant, presenter, researcher, and author

Dr. Heather Haynes Smith
Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Trinity University

teacher and student reading a book

What Is Phonics in Reading?

Learn more about phonics—the relationship between the sounds of language and the letters that represent those sounds.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

What Is an Exit Ticket in School Hero Image

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

Easter Classroom Activities hero

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

Teacher sitting with a group of students at classroom table

What Is the Alphabetic Principle? Building the Foundation of Learning to Read and Write

The alphabetic principle is the foundation of phonics instruction. Learn more about the concept and discover some strategies for teaching it in the classroom.

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

WF1791680 hero teacher and students clapping

Phonological Awareness vs. Phonemic Awareness

Phonological and phonemic awareness are key aspects of emergent and beginning reading development and instruction. Read more to find out how the two terms connect to each other.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

WF1773850 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Halloween Writing Prompts Hero

30 Fun Halloween Writing Prompts & Ideas

Have some spooky fun with your students while exercising their critical thinking skills using these Halloween writing prompts and journal ideas.

Carey Blankenship
Shaped Staff

WF1791680 hero teacher and students clapping

Let's Practice Repeated Reading Strategy!

Learn about repeated reading, its benefits, and some how-tos for providing students with the opportunity to read texts again and again.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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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

WF1771200 What is Phonemic Awareness Hero

What Is Phonemic Awareness?

Learn about phonemic awareness and how it relates to phonological awareness.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1764700 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Sentence Frames for ELL Students Hero

Sentence Frames for ELL Students

Learn how to use sentence frames for ELL students to support written and oral language development.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Multisensory Approaches to Reading Instruction

Learn more about Multisensory approaches to reading instruction, a strategy that helps students use multiple senses to establish routes between the text and the brain.

Rebecca Feinstein
Learning Experience Designer III, Supplemental & Intervention Solutions.

HMH Staff

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