Shaped

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

Featured Posts

Wayne Westland SD teachers in a classroom

A Fresh Approach to Intervention Is Boosting Achievement in a Michigan School District

Hear from educators about a new approach to intervention that’s raising student achievement in the Wayne-Westland Community School District, outside Detroit.

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Latonia GrantTeachers in America podcast

Podcast: Embracing Data and Planning with It Feat. Latonia Grant

Third grade teacher and HMH Teacher Ambassador Latonia Grant discusses how data has been a valuable tool in her planning and instruction. Plus she shares data-driven planning tips, like how to lead data talks with students and how to collaboratively plan with peers.

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Differentiated Instruction Examples Hero

Differentiated Instruction Strategies and Examples for Teacher and Student Success

Here we provide differentiated instruction strategies and examples that teachers can use to ensure students have choices for the way that they learn new information, practice skills, and demonstrate understanding.

Amber Silverman

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A Collaborative Learning Routine: What Is the Think-Pair-Share Strategy in Teaching?

Learn about what is think-pair-share in teaching and how to use this collaborative learning strategy in your classroom.

Dana Leon

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Spring activities for elementary students hero

8 Spring Activities for Elementary Students

Happy spring! Need some engaging in-person and remote classroom activities to celebrate the season? Try these 8 spring activities for elementary students.

Alicia Ivory

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Latest Posts

WF1953350 8 Fun Last Day of School Activities for Elementary School Hero

8 Fun Last-Day-of-School Activities for Elementary School

Try these fun last-day-of-school activities for elementary school to ensure this time of the year is memorable.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Activities to prevent math summer slide hero

9 Summer Math Activities: Preventing Math Summer Slide

Try these 9 summer math activities designed for preventing math summer slide. These are repeatable games and activities appropriate for all children in any grade.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Summer learning activities for elementary and middle school students

15 Fun Summer School Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

As the school year ends, keep kids engaged with these fun summer school activities for elementary and middle school students.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Mothers Day Hero

13 Mother’s Day Celebration Ideas in School

Check out our list of 13 Mother’s Day celebration ideas for school. From primary to middle school, explore fun Mother’s Day classroom activities and projects.

Marcela Grillo
Writer, Girls Write Now

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Easter Classroom Activities hero

9 Fun Easter Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Hop to it! Try these hands-on Easter activities for elementary and middle school students. Your class will have fun while sharpening reading, writing, and STEM skills.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

8 Fun Spring Science Experiments and Activities

8 Fun Spring Science Experiments and Activities

Check out these 8 fun spring science experiments and activities that help students learn more about animals, nature, and the environment.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Presidents Day Lesson Plans And Activities

9 Presidents' Day Lesson Plans and Activities to Foster Engaged Citizens

Use these 9 Presidents' Day lesson plans and activities for middle and high school classrooms to foster engaged and informed citizens.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Hero Chinese Dragon

10 Chinese New Year Classroom Activities: Throw a Lunar New Year Party

Explore 10 Chinese New Year classroom activities. Celebrate the Lunar New Year in your elementary or middle school class with a focus on cultural awareness, symbolism, and more.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Valentine Activities

10 Valentine's Day Classroom Activities

Looking for Valentine’s Day ideas for school? Explore 10 Valentine's Day classroom activities, from heart collages to books, that students are sure to enjoy.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Fun Black History Month Activities For Kids 2

14 Fun Black History Month Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Download these fun Black History Month activities for elementary and middle school students to teach your class about African American history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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100th Day of School Activities for 2024: 13 Ways to Celebrate in the Classroom

Use these 100th Day of School activities and celebration ideas for teachers to help your students honor how far they have come this school year.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Two children in the classroom counting

Magic and Mathematics: A Guess My Number Math Game

In this hands-on “Guess My Number Math Game” activity for students in kindergarten and up, students can thrill and awe their peers with a mathematical magic trick.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Martin Luther King, Jr. project ideas and activities for the classroom

7 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Project Ideas and Activities for the Classroom

Explore 7 Martin Luther King Jr. project ideas and activities to honor MLK and his contributions to the civil rights movement.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Holiday Classroom Activities Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa

14 Winter Holiday Activities for School

Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with 14 holiday classroom activities, games, and crafts for elementary and middle school students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1870928 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Winter Science Experiments Hero 2

8 Fun Winter Science Experiments and Activities

Brr, it’s cold outside! Use these fun winter science experiments and activities to teach students about the science behind common winter themes.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Fun Christmas Activities School

9 Fun Christmas Activities for School

Try our fun Christmas classroom activities for school. 'Tis the season to be jolly—while boosting math, reading, and writing skills, of course!

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Thanksgiving Activities Elementary Hero

10 Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Elementary Students

No hand-traced turkeys here! Celebrate the holiday while boosting critical math, reading, and writing skills with these fun Thanksgiving activities for elementary students.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1860574 Hero

8 Free Veterans Day Activities for Elementary Students

Find free Veterans Day activities and lesson plans for elementary students to honor and celebrate those who have served.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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