Shaped

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

Latest Posts

WF1878313 Image 1

Find instructional strategies to teach vocabulary to English language learners.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

100 Crayola 0001 100 2 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

Use these 100th Day of School activities and celebration ideas for teachers to help your students honor how far they have come this school year.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Two children in the classroom counting

In this hands-on “Guess My Number Math Game” activity for students in kindergarten and up, students can thrill and awe their peers with a mathematical magic trick.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive 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

WF1857300 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Mathematical Discourse in the Classroom hero

Learn what mathematical discourse in the classroom is, along with how to use math discourse in the classroom.

Richard Blankman
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

How and when should you transition away from decodable texts WF1881706

Learn strategies for transitioning students from decodable texts to authentic texts.

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

Students in a classroom

Learn more about multisensory learning and how to incorporate the five senses into your curriculum.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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

Wf1784373 hero student taking diagnostic assessment

Math diagnostic assessment is defined, explained, and compared to other types of assessment, such as formative assessment and summative assessment.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

Laurens 55: A Data-Driven Success Story Hero Image

Find out how partnering with HMH to implement its curriculum, supplemental, and assessment solutions exceeded educators’ expectations and drove student achievement in Laurens County, South Carolina.

HMH Staff

Dr. Artley Skenandore, principal and cultural leader

Photo: High school principal and cultural leader Dr. Artley Skenandore

Oneida Nation High School principal and cultural leader Dr. Artley Skenandore shares how he encourages students to stay connected to their Oneida history, culture, and language. Plus he provides strategies on how to honor Native American heritage in the month of November and all year long.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1870928 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Winter Science Experiments Hero 2

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

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

Assistant Principal Randolph Hull and Reading Intervention Teacher Joshua Bzovi

Photo: Assistant principal Randolph Hull and reading intervention teacher Joshua Bzovi

Assistant principal Randolph Hull and reading intervention teacher Joshua Bzovi from the South Redford District in Michigan share how they’ve teamed up to support their middle school students in reading.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1803654 Hero

Intervention in school is defined, and key insights into how to provide effective intervention are provided.

Dr. Bonnie Cochran
Director of Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

Group of teachers collaborating using tech WF1842700

Learn how to build a system of support in education with a professional learning community.

Polly Patrick
Instructional and Leadership Consultant at The Center of Model Schools

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