HMH Support is here to help you get back to school right. Get started

Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Featured Posts

Teacher and student high-fiving in classroom

A new paradigm in education. A new vision for our future. 

HMH CEO, Jack Lynch, unveils our refreshed brand that reflects the vision and the organization we have become—one that seamlessly integrates the very best of technology with in-class instruction.

Read More
Teachers in America logo

Podcast Season 7 trailer: Embracing innovations in education

On Teachers in America, we connect with real educators and ed leaders to provide practical instructional tips and talk about the latest teaching trends to help you stay on the forefront of what’s new in education.

Read More
WF2026774 Rebrand Misc 2024 Blog Post Greg Daniels

Growth in motion: A brand transformation

Hear from Chief Marketing Officer, Greg Daniel, on how we updated our brand to better reflect who we are today and who we are becoming.

Greg Daniel

Read More
WF1608885 back to school activities resources 2024 aggregate hero

2024 back-to-school articles for educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2024 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
Bridgeport success into math manipulatives

Math achievement is on the rise in this Connecticut district

See how the integration of HMH’s Into Math program is spurring student growth in Bridgeport Public Schools after years of stagnation.

Brenda Iasevoli

Read More

Latest Posts

School Calendar Themes Hero

2024–2025 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

First Day of School Checklist for Teachers hero

First-day-of-school checklist for teachers

Our first-day-of-school checklist for teachers will help get the new school year off to a great start.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

Strategies for Teaching Elementary Writing hero

8 Research-Based Writing Strategies for Elementary Students

Provide students with plenty of opportunities to practice writing, incorporate feedback, and revise with these research-backed writing strategies for elementary students.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

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

Teaching Writing to Elementary Students Hero

How to Teach Writing to Elementary Students Without Fear

An instructional coach shares tips on how to teach writing to elementary students without the fear that teachers can feel when faced with such a huge undertaking.

Kristen Eannetta
Instructional Coach

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

Science Formative Assessment: Assessing with Purpose

Science Formative Assessment: Assessing with Purpose

Dynamic science formative assessment engages students and promotes their thinking; additionally, it informs instruction for educators.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped 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

Teacher with student in the classroom

Understanding the Academic Intervention Process

Learn how academic intervention can help close learning gaps and improve student academic achievement.

Donna Pappas
Regional Consultant, HMH

Teacher sitting with a group of students at classroom table

What Is the Alphabetic Principle? Building the Foundation of Learning to Read and Write

The alphabetic principle is the foundation of phonics instruction. Learn more about the concept and discover some strategies for teaching it in the classroom.

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

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

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.