From setup to support, HMH will ensure your back-to-school season runs smoothly. Let’s go.

Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Latest Posts

Welcome back to school activities ideas for students HERO

5 Welcome-Back-to-School Activities and Ideas for Students

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

2026 First-Day-of-School Icebreakers for All Grades

As you return to the classroom for back-to-school, try these 2026 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

Bill of Rights Activity to Celebrate Bill of Rights Day with Your Students

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

9 Back-to-School Science Activities for Elementary Students

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

Video: Teaching Math with Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

Icebreakers High School Hero

13 First-Day-of-School Icebreakers for High School Students

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

Ready to Learn: 11 Free Bell Ringers for Middle School

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

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Hanukkah activities games elementary

11 Hanukkah Classroom Games and Activities for Elementary Students

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

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

Celebrations Hero

5 End-of-School-Year Celebration Ideas

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

Free Printable End-of-Year Gift Tags for Students

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

Hero Blog Small Group Math Activities WF2153100

Making Math Fun: 7 Small-Group Math Activities and Lessons

Try these 7 small-group math activities and lessons to make math learning fun and improve student outcomes

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

Diwali hero image WF2040950

7 Diwali Activities for Students

Try these 7 Diwali activities for students to celebrate the holiday in your classroom.

Samina Ahmed
Shaped Editor

Earth day activities for elementary students hero

10 Earth Day Activities and Games for Elementary Students

Honor our home planet with these 10 Earth Day activities and games for elementary students.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

2024 international literacy day activities for all ages hero

2026 International Literacy Day Activities for All Ages

Get students reading, writing, and learning more about the importance of literacy with these 2026 International Literacy Day activities.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Women's History Month Books for Students HERO

11 Women’s History Month Books for Elementary Students

Use these Women’s History Month books for elementary students and activities to teach about women’s contributions to history.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Activityset3

Grades 9-12 Math Activity Set: Geometric Probability and More

Help students build their skills in the areas of geometric probability, data displays, and matrices.

Shaped Staff

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week hero

2026 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas

We came up with some extra special ways to make this a happy Teacher Appreciation Week. Try one of these ideas to show your gratitude for the educators in your life.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor