Shaped

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

Latest Posts

June Prioritizing Content 3

Should We Rethink Literacy’s Role in How We Teach Science and Social Studies?

The author argues in support of teaching students how to think in terms of science and social studies with reading and writing as the tools they hone as they learn.

Heidi Cruz
Shaped Contributor

June Summer Checklist 1

A Summer Checklist for Teachers: Take Time to Unwind

Close out the school year with reflection and a personal summer to-do list that will help you unwind and take time for professional learning.

Noelle Morris
Senior Director Community Engagement, HMH; Host of HMH Learning Moments: Teachers in America Podcast

June Podcast Georgette 4

Podcast: Budget Cuts, Burnout, and Self-Care with Georgette McClain on Teachers in America

On the Teachers in America podcast, Georgette McClain, a life sciences teacher in Blanchester, Ohio, talks about school safety, teacher salaries, and state testing.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

June Leadership Equity

A Conversation on Equity in Education With K–12 Leaders: Creating Change

Educational equity was a core topic of discussion for HMH CEO Jack Lynch and a panel of K-12 thought leaders at the 2019 ASU GSV Summit.

John "Jack" Lynch
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, HMH

Shaped 2019 Blog Posts June Alexis Blog Image 2 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

Prime Numbers, Trapdoors, and Cracking Codes: A Math Puzzle—Part 1

Surprisingly—or maybe unsurprisingly to some—staying safe in the digital age has a lot to do with math.

Ally Zmijeski
Associate Learning Architect, Math

Mschero

Model Schools Conference 2019: A Recap in Attendee Tweets

MSC 2019 was full of informative keynotes as well as opportunities to meet and speak with other educators and listen to school transformation stories.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

June Summative Assesmnets 7

NGSS Summative Assessments: Tips for Science Teachers

Activities that reflect 3D student learning can offer a clear picture of students’ progress toward achieving mastery of performance expectations.

Bernadine Okoro
2010–2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, National Science Foundation Fellow

June Model Schools 4

The Model Schools Conference Has Come and Gone. So, Now What?

You're probably still energized and excited from MSC 2019. This avid attendee answers the important question of where to go from here.

Kelly Boeing
Assistant Principal, Lucerne Valley Middle High School

1 Hero June Podcast Alexa Hero2

Podcast: Growth and Development in Elementary Students with Alexa Tegtmeier on Teachers in America

On the Teachers in America podcast, Alexa Tegtmeier, a 3rd grade teacher in Boston, talks about serving a large population of English Learners and the differences in access between districts.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

June Writing 1

How to Teach Writing to Elementary Students: 6 Key Areas of Focus

Research and state and national standards pinpoint six critical goals for all of our students when it comes to developing their identities as writers.

Dr. Karen Harris
Mary Emily Warner Professor, Teachers College, Arizona State University

Girl reads at the front of a classroom

How to Empower Reading Intervention Students to Present Oral Arguments

By presenting in front of their class, literacy intervention students can find their voice as they articulate their ideas and build confidence.

Donna Pappas
Regional Consultant, HMH

Model Schools2018 Day2 Web©Abigailbobophotography3012

EdTech Expert, ICLE Senior Fellow Eric Sheninger Named an Education IT Influencer

Congratulations to our very own Eric Sheninger, an ICLE Senior Fellow, who made EdTech magazine's list of 30 Must-Read K-12 Education IT Influencers.

Shaped Staff

Carmen Sandiego Spanish R1

Carmen Sandiego: Spanish Class Activities

These Carmen Sandiego-themed free Spanish class activities for Grades 6–12 provide lessons that cover real-world culture, geography, art, and more.

Glenna Scott
Senior Learning Architect, World Languages

May Ecrtech Classroom 4

How Do Educators Feel About Classroom Technology?

Use this infographic to explore areas of teacher optimism and concern regarding edtech, and discover the digital tools teachers use most frequently.

Shaped Staff

May Listening 4

When Teaching Literacy, Our Definition of Listening Is Too Narrow

It's time for more educators to start focusing on teaching listening and speaking skills in the language arts classroom, one expert writes.

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

San Benito3

Changing a Curriculum to Prioritize Rigor, Relevance, and Blended Learning

The rigor levels of student learning were lower than what this school was striving for, so they addressed the issue in part by infusing purposeful technology into the curriculum.

Dr. Nate Carman
Superintendent, San Benito CISD

Donna Gradel Hero Image

Podcast: On STEM Learning and Community Outreach with Donna Gradel on Teachers in America

This episode of Teachers in America features Donna Gradel, 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and a finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

May Betty Lewing 3

A 24-Year Career in Reading Intervention: Q&A With Former Teacher Betty Lewing

Shaped spoke with an educator with more than two decades of experience about her career and timeless reading intervention strategies.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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