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Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Featured Posts

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Closing the Gap Between Data and Decisions: From Scattered Data to One Clear Picture

Tier 1 instruction is where learning happens, but too often, data doesn’t translate into action. Discover how HMH Pulse turns assessment insights into clear, next-day instructional decisions teachers can trust.

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How to align multilingual instruction with the science of reading

Is AI improving learning—or just performance?

AI can make learning faster—but are we improving performance or deep thinking where it matters most?

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The 2026 Educator Confidence Report (ECR) Findings You Might Have Scrolled Past

We break down three data points from the 2026 ECR and what they mean for your AI strategy.

Brenda Iasevoli

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From Implementation to Impact: How Ottawa ESD Achieved Nearly 90% of a Year's Literacy Growth by Midyear

See how Ottawa ESD partnered with HMH to connect instruction, assessment, and data through HMH Performance Suite Into Reading, helping students achieve nearly a year's expected literacy growth by midyear.

Onalee Smith

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2026 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2026 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

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Latest Posts

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Reframing MTSS for Multilingual Learners: Designing Systems That Build on Students’ Strengths

Learn how to reframe MTSS for multilingual learners through an asset-based approach that strengthens tier 1 instruction and guides effective intervention and support

Daisy Salazar-Garza
Director of Multilingual Learner Enablement at HMH

Rosanna Morillo
Multilingual Learner Product Enablement Specialist at HMH

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Seeing Strength: Affirming Multilingual Learners for More Effective Instruction and Intervention

Discover asset-based strategies for supporting multilingual learners, affirming their strengths, and improving instruction and intervention.

Daisy Salazar-Garza
Director of Multilingual Learner Enablement at HMH

Rosanna Morillo
Multilingual Learner Product Enablement Specialist at HMH

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Multilingual Learners and Math Discourse

Explore strategies for supporting multilingual learners through math discourse. Plus find downloadable mathematical language routine cards to use in your classroom.

Margaret Seclen
HMH Content Specialist

Rosa Salinas
HMH STEM Content Specialist

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5 Stages of Second Language Acquisition

Learn about the five stages of second language acquisition and explore effective strategies to support multilingual learners at every stage of language development.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Rethinking MTSS for Multilingual Learners

The MTSS framework is just one piece of the full picture in supporting multilingual learners. Discover how asset-based approaches and intentional language scaffolding create stronger systems of support that help multilingual learners thrive.

Stephanie Nash
Product Marketing Director, K–12 ELD and Multilingual Learners

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Multilingual Learners and the Science of Reading: Blending Code-Based and Language-Based Instruction

Explore how the science of reading supports multilingual learners and how integrating code-based and language-based instruction helps MLs become confident readers, writers, listeners, and speakers.

Stephanie Nash
Product Marketing Director, K–12 ELD and Multilingual Learners

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Effective Strategies: Scaffolding for ELL Students That Benefits the Whole Class

What is scaffolding and how does it help ELL students? Read to learn about scaffolding for ELL students, including benefits and best practices.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

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Scaffolding and Differentiation for ELL Students in Math 

Learn how scaffolding and differentiation for ELL students in math support multilingual learners in accessing grade-level content while strengthening both language development and conceptual understanding.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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English Language Development Articles and Resources for Teachers

Browse our catalog of English language development articles and resources for teachers that include research-based strategies and tools to support multilingual learners.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Instructional Strategies for ELL Students

Learn about instructional strategies for ELL students that support multilingual learners in developing stronger language skills and self‑confidence.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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What Is MLL in Education?

Understand what is MLL in education, how it compares to ELL, and actionable steps leaders can take to foster environments that help multilingual learners succeed.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF2408589 ELL and Special Education Hero

English Language Learners (ELL) and Special Education

Dually identified learners are English language learners who also qualify for special education services. Learn proven strategies and resources to accurately identify and support these students in your classroom.

Stephanie Nash
Product Marketing Director, K–12 ELD and Multilingual Learners

WF2367363 Shaped 2025 Blog Post What Is Dual Language Immersion Hero

What Are Dual-Language Immersion Programs?

Learn about dual-language immersion programs and their benefits.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Beyond the Acronyms: Multilingual Learners (MLL) vs. English Language Learners (ELL)—Why the Terms We Use Matter

Explore why is it important to understand the difference between multilingual learners (MLL or ML) vs. English language learner (ELL) and how educators can appropriately support each group in the classroom.

Dr. Giselle Carpio-Williams
Vice President Multilingual Advocacy & Content, HMH

WF2293201 Shaped 2025 Blog Post What is ESL in Education

What Is ESL in Education?

ESL (English as a second language) is English instruction for non-English speakers who are living in an English-speaking environment. Learn more about the purpose and importance of ESL in schools.

Stephanie Nash
Product Marketing Director, K–12 ELD and Multilingual Learners

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ELL vs. ESL

Although both the acronyms ESL (English as a second language) and ELL (English language learners) relate to English language learning, they are not synonymous. Read to learn about the differences between the terms ELL and ESL.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

What Is Translanguaging

What Is Translanguaging in the Classroom?

What is translanguaging? Learn the definition of translanguaging and strategies for translanguaging in the multilingual classroom.

Drs. Yvonne and David Freeman
Authors, On Our Way to English, Professors Emeriti, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

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Improving Outcomes for Multilingual Learners: An English 3D Case Study

Discover English 3D’s impact on multilingual students in the Community Consolidated School District 15 in Chicago, Illinois.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Shaped Staff

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

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Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

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People’s Choice Podcast Awards

Finalist, 2021 & 2023, Teachers in America

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