NOTICE: Online ordering will be offline on April 21st from 2AM to 8 AM for security upgrades. To place an order during this time, please call 800.225.5425 or email Orders@hmhco.com. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Shaped

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

Latest Posts

Wf1072967 January Holidays To Celebrate At School Hero Image Opt2

January 2020: Celebrate a Holiday in Class Every Day

Have fun every day with these January classroom ideas for elementary students. Ideas range from fun facts to share with the class to more detailed school activities and lessons.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Martin Luther King Discussion Questions

Martin Luther King Jr. Discussion Questions: Reflecting on His Legacy

On MLK Day, reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful message of equality and human potential with a list of Martin Luther King discussion questions.

Alex Honeysett
Former Director of Communications, Channel One News

Hero Image 2 4c284b73b1b0834026b992b9ac93d6bd

Teaching Mindfulness in the Classroom With Early Learners

Begin teaching mindfulness in the classroom with your early learners using this handy primer from a veteran teacher for practicing mindfulness in schools with your students.

Kim Block
Retired Teacher

Best Holiday Books For Kids

The Best Holiday Books for Kids to Celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah

This list of the best holiday books for kids can help you celebrate winter festivities in the classroom. These Hanukkah and Christmas books will also teach your students about religious traditions.

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

Black Friday Hero Image

Black Friday Classroom Activity and Lesson Plan: Teaching Math and Money

This Black Friday classroom activity can teach students about spending and budgeting as well as decimals and percentages. The Black Friday lesson plan is appropriate for elementary students.

Shaped Staff

Thanksgiving Classroom Games Activities Crafts

9 Thanksgiving Classroom Activities, Games, and Crafts

Looking for Thanksgiving ideas for school? Explore 9 Thanksgiving classroom activities, games, and crafts to help you celebrate the holiday.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Wf926909 Shaped 2019 Blog Nov Stem 4

Celebrate STEM Using Hands-On Experiments and Science Stories

On November 8 (and every day), try these quick, simple and easy STEM Day activities for elementary students—created by the Kitchen Pantry Scientist and author of STEAM project books, Liz Heinecke.

Liz Lee Heinecke
STEAM Author; The Kitchen Pantry Scientist

Hmh Elementary 2017 48114

All About Me Activities: Celebrate What Makes You 'Different'

Explore All About Me activities for elementary and middle school students. Help your students to celebrate what makes them different.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Wf926906 Shaped 2019 Blog Posts September Science Recipes 3 190916 180936 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

Science Activities for the Classroom: Fun Recipes for Solutions and Materials

Teach students about chemical reactions, the properties of matter, and other science topics by having them participate in fun, collaborative hands-on activities.

Shaped Staff

Wf926906 Math Expressions Gr K 0 Z1 A6360 Copy

How to Prepare Elementary School Students for Algebra

Ease elementary school students' transition from arithmetic to algebra by introducing them to algebra concepts throughout the elementary grades.

Shaped Staff

August Best Versions Of Ourselves 1 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

5 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Elementary School

Use these five social-emotional learning activities for elementary school students to work toward building strong relationships. Explore SEL lesson plans for each competency.

Sara Buren
Shaped Contributor

July Differentiated Instruction 1

Conferring Is Differentiated Instruction: How to Hold Student Writing Conferences

Writing conferences are one-to-one conversations and give teachers a crucial opportunity to meet each student’s individual needs.

Carl Anderson
Author and Literacy Consultant

Students pledging allegiance to American flag

Flag Day Activities for Elementary Students

Explore flag day activities for elementary students to teach your class about the symbolism behind flags and the various themes they may represent.

Shaped Staff

Blythe1

Don't Stop Believin' in Literacy: A School's Path to Reading Proficiency

Learn how a lifelong high school educator pulled a struggling Title I elementary school to the heights of glory.

Blythe Carpenter
Principal, Jinks Middle School

May Memorial Day 7

9 Memorial Day Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these Memorial Day classroom activities for elementary and middle school students to honor those who sacrificed for their country.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Teamwork Sugarland

A School's Transformation Through Transparency, Teamwork, and Tenacity

Two education leaders from Sugarland Elementary discuss their school's journey from "focus school" to "model school."

Dr. Gail Brady
Principal, Sugarland Elementary School, Virginia

Dr. Gregory Mihalik
Assistant Principal, Sugarland Elementary School, Virginia

April Repurpose Excelln Ed Content 2

Does Your District Have a Comprehensive K–3 Reading Policy?

A checklist to help determine if your district has a comprehensive K–3 policy and what else you can be doing to help struggling readers.

K. A. Jagai
Writer, Girls Write Now

Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

3 Cinco de Mayo Classroom Activities

Here are some Cinco de Mayo classroom activities to help you celebrate with your students and teach them the true history of this important holiday.

K. A. Jagai
Writer, Girls Write Now

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