Shaped

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

 

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virtual teaching computer screen

Teaching reading online during the pandemic can be challenging. Learn how to teach reading virtually with these tips from a first-grade teacher.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

WF2091474 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Vocabulary Intervention Strategies hero

Implement these evidence-based vocabulary intervention strategies and activities to support students in building vocabulary knowledge.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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Have your students hone their active-listening skills and identify literary terms with these at-home activities for middle schoolers.

Tarwos Read 180 Story HMH hero

When Tarwo Konbloa came to the United States from a Cote d'Ivoire refugee camp at age 11, he struggled in school. But in time his academics improved through a mix of perseverance, intervention, and dedicated teachers.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Background knowledge reading hero 2

In this blog, we break down the importance of building background knowledge in reading, and provide ways to build and strengthen comprehension.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

Kindergarten reading

Help your youngest students' build their literacy skills with these free reading activities for kindergarten, complete with videos, teacher guides, and more.

Two students reading and taking notes and one student using a tablet

Read more about five essential reading strategies for secondary students, including tips to enhance comprehension and help students become active readers.

Jakeima (Jai) Lewis, MEd
Sixth-Grade Teacher, Instructional Coach & Teacher’s Corner Contributor

WF1289060 Shaped 2020 Revamp Grade 3 5 Reading

These reading activities for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will help your students with reading practice so they can gain the right literacy skills.

WF1995913 Shaped 2024 Classcraft blog batch2 15 1

Explore how teaching writing and providing writing practice instill skills in students that they can use throughout their academic career and beyond. 

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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Have middle schoolers improve their writing, critical thinking, and reading skills with these activities, which include creating a word cloud and summarizing informational texts.

Teachers in a classroom in discussion

Two major discussions are happening in education right now: science of reading and the use of AI in the classroom. But how do teachers actually feel about them? Learn how educators view these important topics.

Lindsay Dworkin
Senior Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH

Early reading intervention strategies for young learners

Learn more about effective early reading intervention strategies designed to support young learners.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

WF2013900 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Guide to Creating Student Podcasts Hero

A quick guide for how to start a student podcast, with tips and tricks for teachers for the whole recording process

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

Building Background Knowledge in K–6 Literacy

Learn more about and get strategies for building background knowledge in reading.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

teacher and students in the classroom

Explore evidence-based reading comprehension strategies that can promote deeper comprehension among your students.

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

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2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year Briana Morales shares how she uses healing-centered engagement and storytelling to empower her students. Plus she shares writing activities to engage students in identity work and how to start a classroom dignity closet to help students in need.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

How To Write A Praise Poem

Poet Glenis Redmond says teaching students how to write a praise poem is a great way to dive into metaphors and similes and have them flex their creative muscles.

Glenis Redmond
Poet and Teaching Artist

Ela high school lessons

Use these high school English language activities to help your learners discover into their own writing styles and embrace reading.