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Shaped

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

 

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Podcast: Being Bold and Wishing for Change with Kyle Schwartz in Denver, CO for Teachers in America

Teacher and author of "I Wish My Teacher Knew", Kyle Schwartz, discusses how she helps students feel empowered to make a difference.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

First-Day-of-School Get-to-Know-You Activities

11 Back-to-School Getting-to-Know-You Activities for Students

Try these back-to-school getting-to-know-you activities to help students discover more about their classmates on the first day of class.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Student-Centered Instructional Strategies

6 Student-Centered Instructional Strategies

Learn about student-centered instructional strategies that are common across a wide variety of learner-centered classrooms.

Dr. Phil Vahey
Director of Applied Learning Sciences, HMH

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Who’s Doing the Work? Developing Math Muscles

Who is doing the work and overcoming obstacles in order to develop math muscles?

Jennifer Lenhardt
Lead Instructional Designer, HMH Professional Services

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How to Estimate Length: Spark Your Learning Activity

Get step-by-step instructions on how to elicit thoughtful questions and responses to tasks that ask students to estimate length.

Shaped Staff

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Podcast: Tapping Pencils and Classroom Management with Stacy Salter

When customs broker Stacy Salter took on teaching elementary as a second career, she had to learn the ins and outs of classroom management to build student relationships.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Two children in a school classroom looking at flash cards

How to Teach Multiplying Fractions

Students will learn how to represent multiplication of fractions by drawing visual models, analyzing hypothetical examples of student work, and creating equations.

Shaped Staff

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Actionable Math Feedback That Promotes a Growth Mindset

Actionable math feedback examples for students that promotes a growth mindset

Dr. Sue Chapman
Professional Learning Consultant, Heinemann

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Podcast: A Tale of Two Virtual Classrooms with Rachel and Steven Lamb

Educator couple Rachel Lamb and Steven Lamb join us for a special episode on EdTech and Virtual Team Teaching.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Estimate the Volume of a Rectangular Prism Lesson Plan

Estimate the Volume of a Rectangular Prism in this activity from HMH's Into Math.

Shaped Staff

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A Hand Span Measurement Lesson

Hand span measurement lesson where teachers have students measure their hand spans and use that to describe and compare distances

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Teacher standing with two students holding a tablet

What Is Scaffolding in Math?

Scaffolding learning comprises many techniques that allow you to provide extra support to your students and help them bridge learning gaps.

Shaped Staff

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What Is Productive Struggle in the Classroom?

Motivation, persistence, and scaffolded support through targeted explanatory feedback are key elements of productive struggle.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Differentiated Instruction for ELL Students

Help prepare ELL students with support resources that benefit your multilingual learners.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

May Fathers Day 2

5 Father’s Day Ideas for Elementary Students

Use these 5 Father’s Day school ideas for elementary students as a fun way for your class to celebrate those who care about them!

Shaped Staff

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Podcast: Grow Your Own Hydroponic Learning Lab with Melissa Tracy

Between their raised planters, vertical gardens, and hydroponic learning lab, Melissa Tracy and her high school students grow enough leafy greens to help feed the local community.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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5 Recommended Science of Reading Books That Will Cover What You Need to Know

Get book recommendations to learn more about the science of reading and see how children learn to read and develop as strategic readers.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research