Shaped

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

Latest Posts

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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

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Podcast: Becoming a Better Learner with Monica Fitzgerald on Teachers in America

On Teachers in America, Monica Fitzgerald, a reading teacher and literacy coordinator, talks about growing up in a military family and as the child of an immigrant—and how she connects her experiences to her teaching practice.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

July System44

Why Our Blended Foundational Reading Program Is Called System 44

Learn the thinking behind the name System 44, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Girl reads at the front of a classroom

How to Empower Reading Intervention Students to Present Oral Arguments

By presenting in front of their class, literacy intervention students can find their voice as they articulate their ideas and build confidence.

Donna Pappas
Regional Consultant, HMH

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A 24-Year Career in Reading Intervention: Q&A With Former Teacher Betty Lewing

Shaped spoke with an educator with more than two decades of experience about her career and timeless reading intervention strategies.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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

Teacher Winners

HMH Honors Five Educators Who Helped Striving Students Succeed

These winners showed that with perseverance and persistence, you can help students overcome personal and academic challenges.

Shaped Staff

Title Impact Studies Troup County Asbury Park

Breaking Down Literacy Myths With Facts

Educators know there are misconceptions around K-3 literacy. Here are some facts to help shed light on the truths around student literacy.

Ireen Hossain
Writer, Girls Write Now

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How to Help Striving Readers Succeed: 20 Years of READ 180

HMH's Francie Alexander explores strategies that can be used to improve literacy among English learners, students with disabilities, and others.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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Dyslexia: Myths, Realities, and Diagnostic Best Practices

Presenting as a multitude of symptoms that range from poor spelling to comprehension difficulties, dyslexia can be easily overlooked.

Shaped Staff

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Power of Student Choice: Motivating Learners Who Struggle With Math

Allowing students the ability to choose their math lesson and applying their knowledge to the real world can help accelerate learning.

Le’Vada Gray
Director of Professional Learning, Math Solutions

Two children reading

Breaking the Cycle: Have Intervention Students Practice Reading Aloud

Having intervention students practice reading aloud to younger children can improve literacy for both kids.

Donna Pappas
Regional Consultant, HMH

Mindset Interventions

Walk in Their Shoes: Mindset Interventions to Improve Equity

Teachers should consider how students’ psychological experiences impact their confidence and motivation.

Dustin Bindreiff, Ed.D.
Special Education Coordinator, Nevada County Superintendent of Schools; Former Consultant for Mindset Works

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Q&A: READ 180 Creator Reflects on 20 Years of Intervention

Ted Hasselbring spoke with Shaped about the origins of the program and how it has evolved over two decades.

Glenn Greenberg
Shaped Contributor

Leadto Literacy

4 Takeaways From Our Leadership Talks Every Teacher Should Know

How can we effectively lead students to reading and writing proficiency? We had four experts weigh in.

Shaped Staff

10 Featured Teachers

5 Ways We're Saying #Thanks to Teachers This Year

This Thanksgiving, thank a teacher (or yourself!) by participating in one of our giveaways.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Reflection Teachers

Maintaining the 180 Spirit Cycle—Part 3: Reflection

Reflect on your full teaching career and what you have learned, and set out to achieve the goals this process inspires.

Noelle Morris
Senior Director Community Engagement, HMH; Host of HMH Learning Moments: Teachers in America Podcast

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How Teachers Save Lives: One Educator's Story

"I'm in the business of saving lives." Discover how these words rang true for one teacher, who recalls a memorable moment in her career.

Connie Harmon
VP of Professional Services, HMH

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