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.

Melissa Hawkins Teachers in America podcast

Podcast: Partnering with Families to Build Early Literacy Skills with Melissa Hawkins

Kindergarten teacher Melissa Hawkins joins us from Hawai'i to discuss student engagement, literacy instruction, and connecting with families.

Latest Posts

Mothers Day Hero

Check out our list of 13 Mother’s Day celebration ideas for school. From primary to middle school, explore fun Mother’s Day classroom activities and projects.

Marcela Grillo
Writer, Girls Write Now

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

WF1529100 Shaped 2022 Blog Post Reading Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers Hero

In order to accelerate students’ reading to grade-level proficiency, here is a list of reading intervention strategies to help students make progress.

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

Reading Intervention Elementary Hero

Implement these research-based reading interventions for elementary students to put students who have fallen behind back on track.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Valentine Activities

Looking for Valentine’s Day ideas for school? Explore 10 Valentine's Day classroom activities, from heart collages to books, that students are sure to enjoy.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Fun Black History Month Activities For Kids 2

Download these fun Black History Month activities for elementary and middle school students to teach your class about African American history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1513755 Hero

Explore guidelines for integrating reading technology in the classroom in support of literacy learning when working with your tech-savvy students.

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

Science Formative Assessment: Assessing with Purpose

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

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Martin Luther King, Jr. project ideas and activities for the classroom

Explore 7 Martin Luther King Jr. project ideas and activities to honor MLK and his contributions to the civil rights movement.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Teacher with student in the classroom

Learn how academic intervention can help close learning gaps and improve student academic achievement.

Donna Pappas
Regional Consultant, HMH

Teacher sitting with a group of students at classroom table

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

Holiday Classroom Activities Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa

Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with 14 holiday classroom activities, games, and crafts for elementary and middle school students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Fun Christmas Activities 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

Thanksgiving Activities Elementary Hero

No hand-traced turkeys here! Celebrate the holiday while boosting critical math, reading, and writing skills with these fun Thanksgiving activities for elementary students.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1860574 Hero

Find free Veterans Day activities and lesson plans for elementary students to honor and celebrate those who have served.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1791680 hero teacher and students clapping

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

Learning by doing the importance of hands on science hero

Learn more about the importance of learning by doing science through hands-on science activities. Plus, access engaging lessons to use in your classroom.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Constitution day activities 3 85cab6aa25ee358f8b9ee45ba7a4bd78

Here are Constitution Day activities to engage your students in learning about the historic document that defines how our government works.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

School Calendar Themes Hero

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

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