Shaped

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

Latest Posts

July Math Patterns Final

4 Math Patterns Activities for Preschoolers

Use these patterns for preschool students to teach your earliest learners about an important mathematical topic.

Shaped Staff

August Instructional Coaching Final 2

How to Make the Most of Instructional Coaching as a School or District Leader

As an education leader, follow some of these steps to build strong relationships with teachers and have happy, productive, and innovative staff.

Anthony Colannino
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Leading & Teaching for Growth, LLC; Author of Leading with Head and Heart

August Four Ways Btslanguage Teachers Final

4 Ways to Beat the Back-to-School Blues for Language Teachers

A Spanish teacher offers tips to incorporate in world languages classrooms, including supporting student voice and choice, creating routines, and cultivating a love of language.

Jori Greenhill
Spanish Teacher

August Coaching Teachers Final2

Find the Champion Within You: Maximize Instructional Coaching as a Teacher

An experienced instructional coach offers tips to optimize your next instructional coaching opportunity.

Venola Mason
Associate Partner, ICLE and Author, Instructional Excellence, Social and Emotional Learning

August Engaging Whole Class 1

Engaging Reticent Contributors in Whole-Class Discussions

Author, teacher educator, and literacy expert Dr. Kate Kinsella provides strategies on engaging every student in whole-class discussions and improving current methods of eliciting student responses.

Dr. Kate Kinsella
Author, English 3D; Co-Author, Read 180®; Teacher Educator, Researcher; CEO, Dr. Kate Kinsella & Associates

August Survival Guide World Languages Teacher Final

End-of-Summer Survival Guide from a World Languages Teacher

Summer is winding down, but teachers can focus on going back to school by using these three tips from a high school Spanish teacher.

Karly Enright
Spanish Teacher

August Tracy Childers 5

Podcast: Looping with a Classroom Family with Tracy Childers on Teachers in America

On Teachers in America, Tracy Childers, a science teacher at a STEM magnet middle school, talks about project-based learning, looping with his students, and considering retirement.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

August Btsnight Final 1 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

4 Back-to-School Night Ideas for Teachers

Check out 4 Back-to-School Night ideas for teachers. From business cards to family notes, explore Back-to-School Night activities that are useful and engaging.

Kristen Eannetta
Instructional Coach

August Best Versions Of Ourselves 1 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

5 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Elementary School

Use these five social-emotional learning activities for elementary school students to work toward building strong relationships. Explore SEL lesson plans for each competency.

Sara Buren
Shaped Contributor

Title First Day Of School Jitters 2 1

3 First-Day-Jitters Activities for Back-to-School

Ease the first-day-jitters! Explore three first-day-jitters activities that you can implement in your first grade classroom year after year.

Amanda Rack
First Grade Teacher, Knob Hill Elementary School

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Teaching Supreme Court Cases: You Have the Right to Remain Silent

The Miranda v. Arizona ruling stated that a detained criminal suspect has the right to an attorney and against self-incrimination.

Shaped Staff

Title First Day Of School Jitters 1

3 Priorities for School Principals During Back-to-School Season

In the new school year, prioritize connecting with families, building relationships with staff, and working on professional development.

David Huber
Principal, South Side Elementary School, Connecticut

July Drummon Instructional Leaders Final

How Instructional Leaders Can Empower Teachers to Boost Student Engagement

Instructional change agents who walk into a classroom can effectively coach a teacher in increasing academic discussion if they know great strategies and build a relationship.

Adam Drummond, EdD
Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools and Author, Instructional Leadership

August Classroom Management Final 2

Classroom Management 101: Setting Classroom Expectations for Students

Find tips on setting classroom expectations for students. Use these classroom management strategies to ensure that each day runs smoothly.

Brittany Mamphey, M.Ed.
Dean of Students, Mt. Healthy South Elementary School, Ohio

Wf961284 Aga Architect Careers Blog

6 Careers That Involve Math: From the Classroom to the Real World

Do your students ever ask how they will use what they learn in the math classroom in real life? You can answer by looking at these jobs that involve math.

Shaped Staff

Swartz1

In the New School Year, Embrace Your Teacher BFF

If you’re a teacher, you know you wouldn’t survive the school year without leaning on some of your most dependable co-workers!

Rachel Swartz
Sixth Grade Teacher, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (MS/HS 141), Bronx, New York

July Eric Coaching Leaders Final

The Case for Coaching Education Leaders

Leaders need consistent support and feedback on all aspects of the position, but the most emphasis should be placed on issues related to instructional leadership.

Eric Sheninger
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Aspire Change EDU; Keynote Speaker; Author

July Shapebook Patterns 3

Shapebook Patterns: Science Evidence Notebooks for Elementary Students

Use these shapebook patterns as an engaging space for students to write their science observations and outstanding questions.

Shaped Staff

*The views expressed in our blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.