Shaped

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

Featured Posts

Wayne Westland SD teachers in a classroom

A Fresh Approach to Intervention Is Boosting Achievement in a Michigan School District

Hear from educators about a new approach to intervention that’s raising student achievement in the Wayne-Westland Community School District, outside Detroit.

Melody Jacklin Teachers in America podcast

Podcast: Promoting a Positive Math Identity with Melody Jacklin

Middle school math intervention teacher Melody Jacklin shares strategies on creating relevant and meaningful math lessons, incorporating STEM challenges in math instruction, and getting students comfortable with productive struggle.

Latest Posts

Mothers Day Hero

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

teacher and student reading a book

Learn more about phonics—the relationship between the sounds of language and the letters that represent those sounds.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

HMH Read 180 Frequently Asked Questions Hero

Read 180 is an intervention reading program notably known for helping Grades 3–12 students gain one or more years of average growth in one year. Discover the answers to Read 180 frequently asked questions to learn more about this solution.

Cathy Ferrara
VP Product Management, Supplemental & Intervention Solutions, HMH

Teaching Writing to Elementary Students Hero

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

Presidents Day Lesson Plans And Activities

Use these 9 Presidents' Day lesson plans and activities for middle and high school classrooms to foster engaged and informed citizens.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Hero Chinese Dragon

Explore 10 Chinese New Year classroom activities. Celebrate the Lunar New Year in your elementary or middle school class with a focus on cultural awareness, symbolism, and more.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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Find instructional strategies to teach vocabulary to English language learners.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

How and when should you transition away from decodable texts WF1881706

Learn strategies for transitioning students from decodable texts to authentic texts.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

Holiday Classroom Activities Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa

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

Laurens 55: A Data-Driven Success Story Hero Image

Find out how partnering with HMH to implement its curriculum, supplemental, and assessment solutions exceeded educators’ expectations and drove student achievement in Laurens County, South Carolina.

HMH Staff

Fun Christmas Activities 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

WF1803654 Hero

Intervention in school is defined, and key insights into how to provide effective intervention are provided.

Dr. Bonnie Cochran
Director of Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

WF1773850 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Halloween Writing Prompts Hero

Have some spooky fun with your students while exercising their critical thinking skills using these Halloween writing prompts and journal ideas.

Carey Blankenship
Shaped Staff

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Photo: Third-grade teacher Russell Souders

Third-grade Texas teacher Russell Souders shares tips on how he sparks students’ interest in reading, including how he uses programs like HMH Into Reading to engage students in literacy instruction.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1819771 Hero

An elementary educator and HMH Ambassador shares tips and resources on how to implement small-group instruction in the classroom, including a downloadable small-group lesson plan template.

Kayla Dyer
Teacher

High school writing hero

Ensure students get the practice, feedback, and revision experience they need for success with these tried-and-true strategies for teaching high school writing.

Kristen Eannetta
Instructional Coach

National hispanic heritage month 2021 hero

Use these National Hispanic Heritage Month activities and lesson ideas to honor Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society.

Daniel Poremba
Senior Tier II Specialist, HMH

Seven Strategies For Reading Success Thumb

Try these 7 ELL strategies for reading success. Help your ELL students to engage with reading and foster a desire to connect with texts.

Rebecca Salinas
Learning Architect, HMH

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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