Shaped

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

 

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WF2367376 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Phonological Awareness Activities V2

Learn to support all learners with these 9 phonological awareness activities that make literacy skill-building both fun and impactful.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

WF1773850 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Halloween Writing Prompts Hero

Have some spooky fun with your students while exercising their critical thinking skills using these Halloween writing prompts and journal ideas.

Carey Blankenship-Kramer
Shaped Staff

WF2255614 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Math Center Ideas Hero

Classroom math center ideas and activities for K-8 students to engage in small-group math activities.

Ana Berry
Instructional Designer, HMH

WF2420313 Math Meets Broadway Hero

Get activity ideas to teach math through theater and learn about the math that happens on Broadway

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Classroom team building activities hero

Build a collaborative environment and strong student relationships with these fun classroom team-building activities.

Irene Yimmongkol

Welcome back to school activities ideas for students HERO

Try out these welcome-back-to-school activities and ideas for students to usher in the new school year.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Bts icebreakers

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

HMH Brand Photos 2024 Contextual G11 106

Explore our Bill of Rights activity and lesson plan idea to engage students in civic learning through persuasive writing.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Back to school science activities for elementary students hero

Explore these back-to-school science activities and experiments for the first day of science class.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Math at the met numbers hero

Use this video to teach numbers and expressions in math class by investigating how different numbers look around the world and throughout history at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1608885 back to school activities resources 2024 aggregate hero

Bookmark this page featuring our 2025 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

Icebreakers High School Hero

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

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Ready to Learn: 11 Free Bell Ringers for Middle School, students sitting at a desk completing their bell ringers

Prepare students for learning with these 11 free bell ringers for middle school.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

School Calendar Themes Hero

Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Hanukkah activities games elementary

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these Hanukkah classroom games and activities for elementary students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Juneteenth national freedom day hero image

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

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Celebrations Hero

Round out the school year with a party to remember by trying out some of these end of school year celebration ideas.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

WF1742312 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Free End of the Year Gift Tags for Students Download Hero

Create a memorable send-off to the school year and save time preparing by using these free printable end-of-year gift tags for students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor