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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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Closing the Gap Between Data and Decisions: From Scattered Data to One Clear Picture

Tier 1 instruction is where learning happens, but too often, data doesn’t translate into action. Discover how HMH Pulse turns assessment insights into clear, next-day instructional decisions teachers can trust.

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How to align multilingual instruction with the science of reading

Is AI improving learning—or just performance?

AI can make learning faster—but are we improving performance or deep thinking where it matters most?

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The 2026 Educator Confidence Report (ECR) Findings You Might Have Scrolled Past

We break down three data points from the 2026 ECR and what they mean for your AI strategy.

Brenda Iasevoli

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From Implementation to Impact: How Ottawa ESD Achieved Nearly 90% of a Year's Literacy Growth by Midyear

See how Ottawa ESD partnered with HMH to connect instruction, assessment, and data through HMH Performance Suite Into Reading, helping students achieve nearly a year's expected literacy growth by midyear.

Onalee Smith

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2026 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2026 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

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Latest Posts

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2026 Science of Reading Articles and Resources for Teachers

Discover science of reading articles and resources for teachers that connect research to instruction with practical strategies and expert insights.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

Phonics vs Phonological Awareness Hero

Phonics vs. Phonological Awareness

Phonics vs. phonological awareness—what’s the difference? This article breaks down what each skill involves and how to use both in the classroom.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

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Multilingual Learners and the Science of Reading: Blending Code-Based and Language-Based Instruction

Explore how the science of reading supports multilingual learners and how integrating code-based and language-based instruction helps MLs become confident readers, writers, listeners, and speakers.

Stephanie Nash
Product Marketing Director, K–12 ELD and Multilingual Learners

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What is Knowledge Building in the Classroom? A Guide for Educators

Discover how knowledge building in the classroom supports reading comprehension, and learn practical ways to incorporate the approach into your instruction.

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Research-Based Phonemic Awareness Interventions

Discover why research-based phonemic awareness interventions matter—and get strategies, sample intervention plans, and activities for K–12 students.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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3 Principles of Structured Literacy

Explore the 3 principles of structured literacy and how explicit, systematic, and data-driven instruction support reading development through the science of reading.

Dr. Nathan Clemens
Professor and Department Chair, Department of Special Education, University of Texas, Austin

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How to Improve Reading Comprehension for Students

Learn research-based strategies for how to improve reading comprehension for students, including step-by-step guides, activities, and assessment.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Reading intervention teacher using Read 180

Read 180: Frequently Asked Questions

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 & Strategy, HMH

WF2503365 Shaped 2025 Blog Post How to Teach Phonological Awareness Skills Hero

How to Teach Phonological Awareness Skills

Explore how to teach phonological awareness skills through clear instruction and hands-on activities.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

WF2492850 Shaped 2025 Blog Post 5 Components of Structured Literacy 2

6 Components of Structured Literacy: What Every Teacher Should Know

Discover the six essential components of Structured Literacy and why they matter for every classroom.

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH

Student reads to support reading growth and literacy

Inside a Rural West Virginia District’s Journey to Reading Growth

Discover how Morgan County School District in rural West Virginia boosted reading proficiency through Read 180® and MAP® Growth™. Learn actionable strategies for early intervention, data-driven instruction, and fostering student confidence

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

WF2470050 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Addressing the Middle School Reading Crisis 2

Addressing the Middle School Reading Crisis

Discover four research-based strategies that help middle school students tackle complex texts with confidence.

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH

SO Rdecoding

Science of Reading Decoding Strategies: Unlocking Fluency Through Systematic Instruction

Discover proven decoding strategies rooted in the science of reading. Learn how systematic phonics instruction and decodable texts build fluency, confidence, and comprehension for every learner.

David Dickerman
Director of Product Management, HMH

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

WF2315255 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Phonological Awareness Examples Hero

Phonological Awareness Examples

Learn more about research-backed phonological awareness examples and activities.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

WF2272476 The Science of Writing Hero

What Is the Science of Writing?

Discover how evidence-based writing instruction, aka the science of writing, supports literacy development, expression, and academic success.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Julie Richardson, M.S. Ed.
Principal Content Designer, Literacy Content Solutions, HMH

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

WF2367376 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Phonological Awareness Activities V2

9 Fun Phonological Awareness Activities

Learn to support all learners with these 9 phonological awareness activities that make literacy skill-building both fun and impactful.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Repeated reading hero

Best Practices for Repeated Reading in Intervention

Unlock the full potential of repeated reading in intervention with these proven steps.

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

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High-Quality Instructional Materials in Reading and ELA: Resources for Students and Teachers

HQIM don’t just support learning—they help shape the entire educational experience. Learn more about how both students and teachers can benefit from high-quality instructional materials.

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH

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.