Shaped

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

Latest Posts

The Science in Science Fiction: A Strategy for Integrating Sci-Fi in the Classroom

Teaching sci-fi in the classroom can help students understand the importance of science in their daily lives.

Ann Pearson
Shaped Contributor

Science of Reading: Sound Walls in the Classroom

Based in the science of reading, sound walls in the classroom help educators reinforce the importance of explicitly teaching the skills of letter-sound correspondence.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

8 Tips for Teaching Middle School Writing

Teaching middle school writing can help students learn the value of their words.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

Phonological Awareness and Phonics Strategies to Support Developing Readers

Try these phonological awareness strategies and phonics strategies in the classroom to help support developing readers

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

8 Fall Activities & Lesson Plans for Elementary Students

Try these fall activities for elementary students in your classroom that put a twist on common fall themes.

Shaped Staff

The Importance of Diversity in Books

Learn about the importance of diversity in books, including how it looks across the curriculum and where to find diverse books.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

2024 International Literacy Day Activities for All Ages

Get students reading, writing, and learning more about the importance of literacy with these 2024 International Literacy Day activities.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Podcast: Being Bold and Wishing for Change with Kyle Schwartz in Denver, CO for Teachers in America

Teacher and author of "I Wish My Teacher Knew", Kyle Schwartz, discusses how she helps students feel empowered to make a difference.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

How to Integrate Writing Across the Curriculum in Your Classroom

Whether you’re teaching math, science, social studies, or ELA, writing can be a great way to assess students’ learning and deepen their thinking on a subject. Here's how to incorporate writing across the curriculum in your classroom.

Dr. Troy Hicks
Professor of English and Education, Central Michigan University

9 Back-to-School Getting-to-Know-You Activities for Students

Try these back-to-school getting-to-know-you activities to help students discover more about their classmates on the first day of class.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

5 Recommended Science of Reading Books That Will Cover What You Need to Know

Get book recommendations to learn more about the science of reading and see how children learn to read and develop as strategic readers.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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

Writing Feedback for Students

Save time with these effective feedback strategies for improving student writing.

Owen Bondono
Shaped Contributor

Podcast: Classroom Transformations with Autumn Dvorak

From a museum to a bakery to a carnival, Autumn Dvorak's classroom transformations use hands-on projects and games to get her students excited about learning.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Reading Teaching Strategies for Students with Dyslexia

Discover evidence-based strategies to help improve the reading skills of students with dyslexia so they can achieve school success.

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

Integrating Science and Literacy in the Classroom

Learn how integrating science and literacy in the classroom helps students behave and think like real scientists and engineers.

Marjorie Frank
Author, ELD Specialist

15 SEL Writing and Journal Prompts for Grades 3–12

Introduce your students to the five competencies of SEL with these writing and journal prompts for elementary, middle, and high school.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

National Poetry Month Activities for Middle and High School Classrooms

From nursery rhymes to absurdist poetry to rap, these activities will help your middle or high school class celebrate National Poetry Month this April.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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