Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Featured Posts

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Why HMH Performance Suite Is "Huge" for Liberty Elementary: A Conversation with Learning Director Lisa Nelson

Learn how HMH Performance Suite with Into Math helped Liberty Elementary students improve their math scores.

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How to align instruction with the science of reading

How to Align Instruction with the Science of Reading

Discover five key principles that policymakers, district leaders, and educators should keep in mind to help drive stronger, more equitable literacy outcomes.

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AI Best Practices: Developing AI Literacy in the Classroom

Explore essential AI literacy concepts and discover best practices for integrating artificial intelligence into the classroom.

Dr. Kate Peila

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WF2396113 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Day of the Dead Activities for Students

Día de los Muertos: 6 Day of the Dead Activities for Teachers

Discover 6 fun and educational Day of the Dead activities perfect for engaging students in grades K–6.

Zoe Del Mar

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WF2408576 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Fun Substitute Teacher Ideas Activities Hero

Fun Substitute Teacher Ideas and Activities

Find fun and easy-to-use substitute teacher ideas and activities, including a free Substitute Teacher Activities pack, to prepare for your next personal day.

Jennifer Corujo

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Latest Posts

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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

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11 Hanukkah Classroom Games and Activities for Elementary Students

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these Hanukkah classroom games and activities for elementary students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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2025 International Literacy Day Activities for All Ages

Get students reading, writing, and learning more about the importance of literacy with these 2025 International Literacy Day activities.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Women's History Month Books for Students HERO

11 Women’s History Month Books for Elementary Students

Use these Women’s History Month books for elementary students and activities to teach about women’s contributions to history.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

WF2019963 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Progression of Phonological Awareness Skills Hero

Progression of Phonological Awareness Skills

This blog post explores the progression of phonological awareness skills and ways you can support developing readers.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Animals

Give your kids an inside look at the animal world with five days of reading lessons for first and second graders.

Shaped Staff

Natural Wonders2

Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Natural Wonders

Have children explore Earth's ecosystems with five days of reading lessons for first and second graders.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Community Helpers

Engage your child in an exploration of how we are helpers in our communities with five days of activities.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Stories and Tales

Have children dive into traditional tales with five days of reading lessons for first and second graders.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Creativity Counts

Engage your child in an exploration of arts and creativity with five days of activities.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Wild Weather

Engage your child in an exploration of different kinds of weather with five days of activities.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Summer Reading Activities: Fun and Games

Discover five days of reading and learning activities designed to engage your child in an exploration of sports, games, and having fun.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Summer Reading Activities: Family Time

Explore five days of reading and learning activities designed to engage your child in an exploration of family and spending time together.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Teamwork

Engage your child in an exploration of how great things can happen when we work together with these reading activities for Grades 1-2.

Shaped Staff

Lets Eat

Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Let's Eat

Engage your child in an exploration of food and how it is important in our lives.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Summer Reading Activities: Incredible Insects

Welcome to Incredible Insects! We’ll provide five days of reading and learning activities designed to engage your child in an exploration of butterflies, bees, and other bugs.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 1–2 Summer Reading Activities: This Is America

Discover five days of reading and learning activities designed to engage your child in an exploration of our country and its symbols.

Shaped Staff

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

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

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Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

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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.