Shaped

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

 

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Podcast: Helping Students Heal Through Writing with Briana Morales in IL on Teachers in America

2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year Briana Morales shares how she uses healing-centered engagement and storytelling to empower her students. Plus she shares writing activities to engage students in identity work and how to start a classroom dignity closet to help students in need.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Ela high school lessons

Free High School English Language Arts Activities

Use these high school English language activities to help your learners discover into their own writing styles and embrace reading.

Shaped Staff

Free Reading Activities for 1st and 2nd Grade

Free Reading Activities for 1st and 2nd Grade

With these free reading activities for 1st and 2nd grade, you can engage young learners in topics ranging from incredible insects to the great outdoors.

Shaped Staff

Teacher leading foundational literacy instruction to support reading development

Why Is Phonological Awareness Important for Reading Development?

Phonological awareness skills are important foundational knowledge for the effective development of letter-sound relationships. Learn more about how it can help students with reading development.

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

Fourth of july poems

Patriotic Poems from HMH Poets for the Fourth of July

Celebrate July 4th with six patriotic poems from HMH poets. Explore a selection of Fourth of July poems to help commemorate America’s Independence Day.

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

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Podcast: Building Vocabulary to Increase Reading Comprehension with Abbey Behnke in WI on Teachers in America

HMH Teacher Ambassador Abbey Behnke shares instructional strategies and activities to engage students in vocabulary learning. Plus, she discusses how vocabulary is a catalyst for building reading comprehension skills.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Teacher provides writing support during classroom instruction

Scaffolding Writing Instruction

Learn more about scaffolding writing instruction, a process that provides the support that students need to grow as writers.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Middle school students demonstrate a sense of belonging while collaborating with peers.

A Culture of Belonging Allows Students to Flourish in a Michigan District

See how teachers and curricula work together to create a sense of belonging and academic success in the fourth most diverse district in the nation.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Two elementary students write together on a laptop in class

8 Research-Based Writing Strategies for Elementary Students 

Provide students with plenty of opportunities to practice writing, incorporate feedback, and revise with these research-backed writing strategies for elementary students.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

Teacher leading small-group reading instruction with targeted student support

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

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Podcast: Embracing Data and Planning with It Feat. Latonia Grant in GA on Teachers in America

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.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Students wearing headphones use tablets during a fluency activity in the classroom.

Oral Reading Fluency Assessment: Optimizing Instruction

Providing an oral reading fluency assessment is an important part of not just providing oral reading fluency instruction but measuring growth and ensuring effective instruction.

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

Students builds academic vocabulary with teacher support

What Is Academic Vocabulary?

Learn about what is academic vocabulary and find strategies for effective vocabulary instruction.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Partnering with Families to Build Early Literacy Skills with Melissa Hawkins in HI on Teachers in America

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

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Student uses a tablet during literacy learning across content areas

Teaching Literacy in All Content Areas

Discover 4 skills students can develop by teaching literacy in all content areas. Literacy is an important for success in all subjects.

Marie Swan
Shaped Contributor

Teacher supports student reading during a phonics lesson

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

Students engaged in reading intervention through shared reading and discussion.

Reading Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers

Explore reading intervention strategies for struggling readers, with practical approaches to help educators address reading challenges and support literacy development.

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

Teacher works with elementary student during targeted reading intervention.

Research-Based Reading Interventions for Elementary Students

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

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor