Shaped: The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Education Blog

Shapebook Patterns: Science Evidence Notebooks for Elementary Students

Use these shapebook patterns as an engaging space for students to write their science observations and outstanding questions.

Shaped Staff

August 07, 2019

Disappearing Glaciers: A Lesson in Climate Change for Middle and High School

To teach climate change to students in Grades 5-12, consider using real-life examples of the effects, such as the loss of the Okjökull glacier in Iceland.

Ann Pearson

Shaped Contributor

July 25, 2019

Should We Rethink Literacy’s Role in How We Teach Science and Social Studies?

The author argues in support of teaching students how to think in terms of science and social studies with reading and writing as the tools they hone as they learn.

Heidi Cruz

Shaped Contributor

July 11, 2019

NGSS Summative Assessments: Tips for Science Teachers

Activities that reflect 3D student learning can offer a clear picture of students’ progress toward achieving mastery of performance expectations.

Bernadine Okoro

2010–2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, National Science Foundation Fellow

June 27, 2019

6 Activities to Honor Earth Day in Your Classroom

Students of all ages can honor Earth Day. Here’s a list of activities—separated by grade level—that teachers can incorporate in their classrooms.

Danni Green

Writer, Girls Write Now

April 05, 2019

What Happens After 'Failure' in the Science Classroom?

Teaching about failure in an engineering context can help students better understand how this becomes a learning opportunity.

Dr. Cary Sneider

NGSS Writing Team Leader, Associate Research Professor at Portland State University

March 26, 2019

Making STEM Hands On: Connect the Curriculum to Students’ Lives

Whenever possible, examples should be profiled from students' immediate or regional surroundings.

Michael DiSpezio

Author, ScienceFusion and HMH Science Dimensions Programs

March 13, 2019

What Is STEM Education? A Primer for International Educators

International educators should explain to students how science, technology, engineering, and math are intertwined.

Michael DiSpezio

Author, ScienceFusion and HMH Science Dimensions Programs

February 27, 2019

What Are Evidence Notebooks in the Science Classroom?

Students use evidence notebooks to record observations and predictions, make sketches, and note questions that they have.

Michael DiSpezio

Author, ScienceFusion and HMH Science Dimensions Programs

February 01, 2019

Integrating Science With Engineering and Tech in the Classroom

Understanding the connections between science, engineering, and technology are important to monitoring planets and other parts of our solar system.

Dr. Mike Passow

Former Classroom Teacher; Past President, National Earth Science Teachers Association

January 18, 2019