Shaped

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

Latest Posts

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Fostering Safe Spaces: How to Start a GSA in Your High School

Learn how to start a GSA in your high school (or middle school or university). Educators can host a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club and help students feel safe and supported when they identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. GSAs provide a safe, supportive space for students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, along with their cisgender allies.

Shaped Staff

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How Has COVID-19 Impacted K-12 Education? Four Experts Weigh In

Education experts discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the work they do every day at a panel discussion at this year's ASU GSV Summit.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Steps to Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Find out how to move beyond "Can all students use this?" to "Can all students succeed using this?"

Janna Sakson
Shaped Contributor

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Tips for Remote Learning Without Internet Access

Every school year brings technological challenges, but remote learning without internet is an entirely new type of challenge. Yet students still need teaching. There are students who do not have reliable—if any!—internet access.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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What to Know About the 2020 March on Washington and How to Teach It

Get all the details about this year’s March on Washington, plus activities to engage elementary, middle, and high school students in the cause.

Shaped Staff

Racial justice in education

Racial Justice in Education: How Can We Assess Racial Climate in Schools?

Education leaders can assess how they are doing when it comes to racial justice in education and equity in the classroom by examining these five crucial areas.

Dr. Tyrone C. Howard
Professor, UCLA; Senior Fellow, The Center for Model Schools; HMH Learning Sciences & Research Advisory Board

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Starting the School Year During COVID-19: Action Items for K-12 Administrators

In addition to figuring out the complexities behind general reopening details, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a number of new priorities for education leaders.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Innovation for Equity Panelists

5 Takeaways from Innovation For Equity’s Talk on Black Learners and COVID-19

Find out what leaders in the education space had to say at the July 15 Innovation For Equity online event.

Janna Sakson
Shaped Contributor

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Celebrating a Century of Women’s Suffrage with Finish the Fight!

Download a sample chapter from Finish the Fight!, accompanied by activities to engage students and honor 100 years of voting rights for women.

Shaped Staff

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How This District Is Confronting the ‘Brutal Facts’ of Racism

Superintendent of Providence Public Schools Harrison Peters describes the changes his district is making to ensure equity for all students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Serving Students With Special Needs in an Online Era: Q&A With Suzanne Jimenez

A former director of special education weighs in on the challenges of remote learning and strategies for overcoming them.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Confronting Racism Up Close: A Q&A with Christian Cooper

Christian Cooper takes part in a Q&A to discuss the racist incident he experienced in Central Park, what people can learn from it, growing up black and gay in America, writing for Marvel Comics, and how to birdwatch effectively.

Glenn Greenberg
Shaped Contributor

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Racial Literacy: A Call to Action for Teachers

What is racial literacy? Dr. Tyrone Howard, ICLE senior fellow and professor of education at UCLA, calls on teachers to develop the racial literacy needed to talk about race in their classrooms.

Dr. Tyrone C. Howard
Professor, UCLA; Senior Fellow, The Center for Model Schools; HMH Learning Sciences & Research Advisory Board

Lgbtq authors books

A Look at LGBTQ+ Books and Authors in History

Explore LGBTQ authors for Pride Month this year. These LGBTQ books were published from the 19th century through today.

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

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Black Lives Matter: A Commitment from HMH

HMH is taking steps to ensure our commitments are intentional, actionable, and designed for long-term and ongoing impact.

Shaped Staff

Help LGBTQ students feel safe and welcomed in school

Help LGBTQ Students Feel Safe and Welcomed in School

Show support for LGBTQ students and help them feel safe and welcomed in schools with these six strategies for educators.

Jamie Kubiak
(he/him/his); High School Chemistry Teacher, Park East High School, New York

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Standing Together Against Racism: Start With This Reading List

In light of recent events—and as students march with parents and loved ones for social justice—we’ve compiled a list of relevant books to inspire justice and courage.

Shaped Staff

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Forgotten Stories of the Oregon Trail: Lesson Plans and Activities

Students will read stories about people's experiences on the Oregon Trail and work on related activities that will help them build their skills in math, science, ELA, and other subject areas.

Glenn Greenberg
Shaped Contributor

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