From setup to support, HMH will ensure your back-to-school season runs smoothly. Let’s go.

Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Featured Posts

Black image with sunburst that reads HMH Pulse Foundations

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.

Read More
How to align multilingual instruction with the science of reading

What Does the Science of Reading Mean for Multilingual Learners?

Discover how research-based literacy practices and language support work together to help multilingual learners build strong reading skills and thrive in the classroom.

Read Now
Middle School Classroom Management

12 Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work

Create a healthy and happy learning environment with middle school classroom management strategies that are rooted in brain science.

Dr. Michael Vea

Read More
WF2702202 Shaped 2026 Blog Post Science of Reading Lesson Plan Templates HERO

Science of Reading Lesson Plan Templates for K–5

Get free, printable science of reading lesson plan templates to help you plan evidence-based instruction across grades K-5 and learn more about what makes a lesson science of reading–aligned.

Onalee Smith

Read More
WF1608885 back to school activities resources 2024 aggregate hero

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

Read More

Latest Posts

22 PBIS Reward Ideas to Make PBIS a School Hero Image

26 PBIS Reward Ideas to Make PBIS a School-Wide Celebration

Explore 26 PBIS rewards ideas for individual students, classrooms, and school-wide incentives. Find success in teaching students positive classroom behaviors.

Casey Brown
Shaped Contributor

School Calendar Themes Hero

2026–2027 Monthly Calendar Themes for School

Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Teacher sits at desk in front of a classroom of students

2026 Classroom Management Articles and Resources for Teachers

Use our curated list of classroom management articles and resources to help you organize and manage your classroom.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

HMH Brand Photos 2024 Contextual G1 80 1600x900 1

How to Teach Writing to 2nd Graders

Learn how to teach writing to 2nd graders with practical strategies and engaging activities that help young students build confidence and essential writing skills.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

Summer learning activities for elementary and middle school students

17 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

HMH Brand Photos 2022 lifestyle G11 55 copy math activity hero 2

Math Articles and Resources for Teachers and Educators

Explore math articles and resources for teachers and other educators looking for support teaching K-12 mathematics

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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

10 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

HMH Brand Photos 2022 lifestyle 11 217 1600x900

What Are Tiered Assignments in Education?

What are tiered assignments in education? Learn how this differentiated instruction strategy meets students at every readiness level.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

HMH Brand Photos 2024 Lifestyle G7 320 1600x900

Career Day Ideas for Elementary Students

Host an engaging career day with these career day ideas for elementary classrooms, including planning tips, activities, and speaker ideas.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

HMH Brand Photos 2024 Contextual G1 30 1600x900

Research-Based Phonemic Awareness Interventions

Discover why research-based phonemic awareness interventions matter—and get strategies, sample intervention plans, and activities for K–12 students.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Fun Black History Month Activities For Kids 2

13 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

WF2492850 Shaped 2025 Blog Post 5 Components of Structured Literacy 2

6 Components of Structured Literacy: What Every Teacher Should Know

Discover the six essential components of Structured Literacy and why they matter for every classroom.

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

WF2513200 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Winter Solstice Science Activities Hero Banner

6 Fun Winter Solstice Classroom Activities & Lesson Plans

Discover fun winter solstice classroom activities that celebrate the shortest day of the year.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

WF2396139 Shaped 2025 Blog Post National STEM STEAM Day Hero

7 2026 National STEM/STEAM Day Activities

Explore 7 National STEM/STEAM Day activities that provide students in all grades the opportunity to develop key skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

WF2285263 How to Teach Creative Hero

How to Teach Creative Writing

Asari Beale, writer, educator, and executive director of the Teachers & Writers Collaborative, shares tips for how to teach creative writing to students.

Asari Beale
Writer, Educator, and Executive Director of the Teachers & Writers Collaborative

two elementary students working with their teacher

What Is Response to Intervention (RTI)?

Learn more about response to intervention (RTI), a three-tier system to identify how to help support your students in the classroom.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Student with hand raised blog hero WF2367300

Classroom Rules and Procedures for Elementary Students

This blog explores one teacher’s take on classroom rules and procedures for elementary students—a one-rule classroom approach and the procedures that support it.

Beckah Sipes
Fifth-Grade Teacher

WF2255614 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Math Center Ideas Hero

7 Classroom Math Center Ideas and Activities

Classroom math center ideas and activities for K-8 students to engage in small-group math activities.

Ana Berry
Instructional Designer, HMH

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Shorty Audience Honor 1x1 png

Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

Digiday Finalist Awards 1x1 png

Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

Podcast Awards Peoples Choice Awards 1x1 png

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.