Shaped

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

 

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WF1833890 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Grandparents Day Activities for School Hero

2025 Grandparents’ Day Activities in Schools

Celebrate 2025 Grandparents' Day with classroom activities to honor your grandparent figures in the different ways.

Autumn Davis
Content Marketing Intern, HMH

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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7 ELL Strategies for Reading Success

Try these 7 ELL strategies for reading success. Help your ELL students to engage with reading and foster a desire to connect with texts.

Rebecca Salinas
Learning Architect, HMH

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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11 Essential 9/11 Activities & Lesson Plans for the Classroom

Looking for ways to help your students understand the September 11 terror attacks and their impact? Use these 9/11 activities and lesson plans designed for middle and high school classrooms.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Icebreakers High School Hero

7 High-School Icebreakers for the First Day of School

These high school icebreakers for the first day of school will help students get to know one another while having fun.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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8 Fun Constitution Day Activities for Students: We the People

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

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning in Social Studies

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning in Social Studies?

What is inquiry-based learning in social studies? Learn more about inquiry-based learning and its benefits for students.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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5 First-Day-of-School Icebreaker Activities for Middle School Students

Check out our first-day-of-school icebreaker activities for middle school students. Using icebreakers will help ease everyone back into the school routine.

Kristen Eannetta
Instructional Coach

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9 Back-to-School Icebreakers for Elementary Students

Teachers can use these fun back-to-school icebreaker activities for elementary students in the classroom or remotely.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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6 Juneteenth Activities & Lesson Plans for Students

Celebrate Juneteenth in the classroom. Explore Juneteenth activities and lesson plans for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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2025 First-Day-of-School Icebreakers for All Grades

As you return to the classroom for back-to-school, try these 2025 first-day-of-school icebreaker activities to develop a sense of normalcy among students and build community.

Shaped Staff

Summer Science Experiments and Activities Hero

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

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12 Fun Ideas for Cheap End-of-Year Gifts for Students from Teachers

Save time and money with these cheap end-of-year gifts for students from teachers.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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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

Earth Day Classroom Activities

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

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Celebrate Educators with These Teacher Appreciation Week Poster and Card Ideas

To mark Teacher Appreciation Week, we’ve got some new poster designs for your classroom, plus a few bonus cards for anyone that wants to thank a special teacher in their life.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Graphic Organizers for ELL Students

Find a collection of graphic organizer to help ELL students build vocabulary, compare and contrast, and activate prior knowledge.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

9 Black History Month Science Activities and Experiments

9 Black History Month Science Activities & Experiments

Use these Black History Month science activities and experiments to teach students about notable scientists and inventors.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

How to Promote Kindness in Our Kids

How to Promote Kindness in Our Kids

Former teacher and current HMH Chief Academic Officer Francie Alexander offers educators some tips on how to create a kindness movement in their classrooms and communities.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research