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Shaped

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

 

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Teacher reads a picture book aloud to young students in class

Interactive Read-Aloud Strategies: Build Strong Relationships with Students

What is an interactive read-aloud? Learn interactive read-aloud strategies to build strong student-teacher relationships in the classroom.

Monica Fitzgerald
Reading AIS Teacher, Gillette Road Middle School

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34 Mother’s Day Writing Prompts

Celebrate moms with these Mother's Day writing prompts for your K–3 classroom. Have students practice descriptive language or get creative with a short story.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Teacher modeling fluent oral reading to a small group of students

What Is Oral Reading Fluency?

This article answers the question, what is oral reading fluency? It provides fluency teaching strategies after defining fluency and explaining why it’s important.

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

Students building background knowledge through reading and collaborative learning

The Importance of Building Background Knowledge in Reading

In this blog, we break down the importance of building background knowledge in reading, and provide ways to build and strengthen comprehension.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

Kindergarten reading

Free Reading Activities for Kindergarten

Help your youngest students' build their literacy skills with these free reading activities for kindergarten, complete with videos, teacher guides, and more.

Shaped Staff

Teacher providing reading support to young learners during a small-group literacy lesson.

Early Reading Intervention Strategies for Young Learners

Learn more about effective early reading intervention strategies designed to support young learners.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

Student uses digital resources to build background knowledge

Strategies for Building Background Knowledge in Reading, Grades K–6

Learn more about and get strategies for building background knowledge in reading.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

HMH Staff

Free Reading Activities for 1st and 2nd Grade

Free Reading Activities for 1st and 2nd Grade

With these free reading activities for 1st and 2nd grade, you can engage young learners in topics ranging from incredible insects to the great outdoors.

Shaped Staff

Teacher provides writing support during classroom instruction

Scaffolding Writing Instruction

Learn more about scaffolding writing instruction, a process that provides the support that students need to grow as writers.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Two elementary students write together on a laptop in class

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

Oral reading fluency two girls tablets

Oral Reading Fluency Assessment: Optimizing Instruction

Providing an oral reading fluency assessment is an important part of not just providing oral reading fluency instruction but measuring growth and ensuring effective instruction.

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

Students engaged in reading intervention through shared reading and discussion.

Reading Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers

Explore reading intervention strategies for struggling readers, with practical approaches to help educators address reading challenges and support literacy development.

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

Teacher works with elementary student during targeted reading intervention.

Research-Based Reading Interventions for Elementary Students

Implement these research-based reading interventions for elementary students to put students who have fallen behind back on track.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Students develop writing skills using a digital writing platform

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

Illustration of printed books alongside a tablet and laptop displaying digital reading materials.

Tips for Integrating Reading Technology in the Classroom

Explore guidelines for integrating reading technology in the classroom in support of literacy learning when working with your tech-savvy students.

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

Teacher works with students practicing letter-sound connections in a small group.

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

Teacher and students clapping syllables during a phonological awareness activity

Phonological Awareness vs. Phonemic Awareness

Phonological and phonemic awareness are key aspects of emergent and beginning reading development and instruction. Read more to find out how the two terms connect to each other.

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

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Podcast: Building a Foundation with Phonics in First Grade with Amber Reyes in CO on Teachers in America

Colorado teacher, Amber Reyes, shares strategies to engage students in fun phonics instruction, as well as resources to build fundamental reading skills.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor