Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Latest Posts

WF2163400 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Free Graphic Organizers for Reading Comprehension Update Hero

Try these free graphic organizers for reading comprehension for all grade levels to help students visually organize their thoughts about literature.

Shaped Staff

Hard to reach students 104b71eb860de3cd4fcc287f64c7c979 v2

If you find yourself pulling away from or avoiding connection with hard-to-reach students, try leaning in instead by following these five steps.

Janice Mace
Senior Counselor, National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland

Grades Science Activities Hero

Explore a variety of scientific learning activities to engage students in the great outdoors.

Shaped Staff

Benefits of independent reading in the classroom

There are various benefits of independent reading, including improving your students’ fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Read more about how you can empower your students to become lifelong readers by providing an independent reading library.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Shaped Staff

Math Expressions Gr6 0 Z1 A1658

Explore 6 fun math activities for middle school from HMH's GO Math! program. These middle school math games and projects for grades 6-8 will keep your students engaged.

Shaped Staff

Instructional materials

Learn why educators nationwide should assess their instructional programs to determine whether they are designed to help students overcome learning loss due to COVID-19.

Dr. Donald Bucolo
Education Research Director, Core STEM

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

WF1348154 Shaped 2021 Blog Post Teaching Product of Prime Factors 2025 Update hero

In this lesson, use factor trees to teach students the concept that a composite number is written as a product of all of its prime factors.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Ancient greece lesson plan

Known for its architecture, democratic system of government, and impact on science and the arts, ancient Greece is an important topic often covered in middle and high school social studies.

Shaped Staff

Charlemagne Middle Ages Activities

Use these downloadable resources to teach students about Charlemagne and the Early Middle Ages.

Shaped Staff

Hero Update Halloween Math

Here are fun Halloween math activities for middle school and high school students. Try these activities to celebrate Halloween in your math classroom and ensure that your middle school and high school students can enjoy the holiday while in school.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

The Keys to Vocabulary Word Specific and Generative Instruction thumb

Shane Templeton, HMH Journeys program consultant, shares how efficient and effective vocabulary instruction can inspire a curiosity and appreciation for words.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

Integrated curriculum no subject is an island hero

Learn the benefits of an integrated curriculum, along with how instruction can be integrated across subjects and standards.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Girl reading

As an educator, you may ask, how can you engage students in reading? Try these five strategies to boost enjoyment and engagement in literacy.

Dr. Kristi James

WF1071225 What to Wear for the 100th Day of School Hero Image

Celebrate 100 days of learning with these 100th Day of School dress-up ideas, costumes, and outfits for teachers and students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

May Memorial Day 5

Explore flag day activities for elementary students to teach your class about the symbolism behind flags and the various themes they may represent.

Shaped Staff

Nutrition activities elementary and middle school

Use these nutrition activities for elementary and middle school students to teach them about healthy eating, regular exercise, and self-care.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1262367 Shaped 2020 Blog Post Pros and Cons of Looping hero2

Explore the benefits and disadvantages of looping in education, where groups of students up from one grade to the next with the same teacher.

Tracy Childers
Middle School Science Teacher, Foothills Community School

WF1333496 Hero

Celebrate moms with these Mother's Day writing prompts for your K–3 classroom. Have students practice descriptive language or get creative with a short story.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor