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.

Read More
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.

Read More
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

Read More
Hero two students woring together WF1944450

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

Read More
Spring activities for elementary students hero

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

Read More

Latest Posts

Podcast: The 4-Day School Week with Dr. Claudia Singkornrat on Teachers in America

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.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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

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

NGSS and the Dimension of Crosscutting Concepts: Setting the Stage for Student Sense-Making in Science

Learn about the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Crosscutting Concepts and how teachers can use them to elicit student sense-making.

Peter McLaren
Executive Director of Next Gen Education

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
Shaped Editor

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

8 Fun Winter Science Experiments and Activities

Brr, it’s cold outside! Use these fun winter science experiments and activities to teach students about the science behind common winter themes.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

What Is Differentiation in Science?

This article delves into the question, “What is differentiation in science?” Plus, discover differentiated instruction examples and strategies for the science classroom.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning in Science?

What is inquiry-based learning in science, and why is it important? Read more about the effectiveness of this teaching and learning approach.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Podcast: Science Instruction Insights from Past NSTA President Dr. Karen Ostlund on Teachers in America

Past NSTA President and HMH Into Science Texas author Dr. Karen Ostlund joins us to discuss the ins-and-outs of NGSS standards, technology's impact on student agency, and more.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

The Importance of Hands-On Science Activities: Learning by Doing

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

Don’t Lead with Science Vocabulary—Start with Conceptual Meaning

Get advice on how to incorporate vocabulary into science instruction to ensure students learn science concepts deeply.

Dr. Karen Ostlund
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Emerita, UTeach, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin

8 Fun Summer Science Experiments and Activities

Keep the learning going throughout summer break with these 8 fun summer science experiments and activities.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

7 End-of-Year Science Activities to Celebrate the Start of Summer

These 7 end of year science activities will help teachers find projects and experiments suited to teaching science at the end of a school year.

Alexa Dowlen
Learning Experience Design, K–12 Science

6 Elementary Grade Ideas for Science Centers in the Classroom

Introduce your students to the excitement of science with a physical space in the classroom dedicated to hands-on learning.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

7 Fun Earth Day Activities for Middle & High School Students

Honor the planet in your classroom with these fun Earth Day activities for middle school and high school students.

Danni Green
Writer, Girls Write Now

Alexa Dowlen
Learning Experience Design, K–12 Science

9 Earth Day Activities and Games for Elementary Students

Honor our home planet with these 9 Earth Day activities and games for elementary students.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

The 5E Model of Science Instruction

Learn how to implement the 5E model of science instruction and download a 5E science lesson to use in your classroom.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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