Shaped

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

Latest Posts

Strategies for a good school year esther wojcicki

7 Strategies to Start the New School Year Right

Have students interview each other. In the next class, whether it's online or not, let students share their interests, experiences, and feelings. There are many back-to-school activities that teachers can use as icebreakers, but this one is my favorite because the kids get to know each other, which makes them excited about your class.

Esther Wojcicki
Journalist and Teacher; Founder, Palo Alto High Media Arts Program

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Starting the School Year During COVID-19: Action Items for K-12 Administrators

In addition to figuring out the complexities behind general reopening details, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a number of new priorities for education leaders.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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5 Tips to Ensure Connected Professional Learning for Teachers This Fall

This fall, education leaders should encourage a culture of reflection among their staff and tailor professional development to the current situation amid COVID-19.

Dr. Grant Atkins
Education Research Director, Professional Services

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Podcast: Overcoming Trauma in Parkland, FL with Sarah Lerner for Teachers in America

Meet Sarah Lerner, an advisor for the award-winning yearbook Aerie and an English and journalism teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Sarah is passionate about mental health and advocating for gun reform and oversaw the publication of the student written anthology Parkland Speaks.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Podcast: On Virtual Learning and BLM Protests with Bianca Cole on Teachers in America

Meet Bianca Cole, a middle school special education and language arts teacher from Washington. From the effects of COVID-19 on Seattle to the Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place across America, 2020 has already presented Bianca with ample teaching moments outside of her classroom.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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What’s on Your Mind? A Flexible SEL Freewrite

Help students in Grades 3–12 tap into what they're feeling with an informal writing activity.

Janna Sakson
Shaped Contributor

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How to Prioritize Social-Emotional Learning in a Time of Social Distancing

Learn how to foster an environment of social and emotional learning despite the fact that students can’t interact with teachers or each other face to face.

Venola Mason
Associate Partner, ICLE and Author, Instructional Excellence, Social and Emotional Learning

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Connecting With Staff and Students in Difficult Times: Tips for Education Leaders

As schools close due to the coronavirus outbreak, K-12 administrators should get a communication plan in place to keep their district's students and staff motivated.

Adam Drummond, EdD
Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools and Author, Instructional Leadership

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5 Social-Emotional Learning Strategies Teachers Can Use Now

Schools that integrate social-emotional learning into instruction equip students to persevere and master rigorous content. Start with these five tips.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Coaching SEL Through Literacy: Ideas and Things to Look For

By folding social-emotional learning into instructional strategies educators already use to teach literacy, SEL begins to feel less daunting.

Sherry St. Clair
HMH Contributor

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Need a Timesaver? Try an Activity That Ties SEL to ELA

Integrate social-emotional learning into your English language arts curriculum with this literacy activity, where students read and study a text and practice important SEL competencies.

Janna Sakson
Shaped Contributor

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World Wildlife Day Activity: Teach Problem-Solving and Protecting Animals

Celebrate World Wildlife Day on March 3 by having your students work together to practice problem-solving skills while learning about animals around the world, and in your local community.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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Podcast: Wearing the Kindness Cape with Julia Allan on Teachers in America

Meet Julia Allan, a Kindergarten teacher in Howard County Public Schools. She talks about equity in education, social-emotional learning, the tooth fairy, bus stresses, and the joys of seeing her students grow together.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Summer School Growth Mindset

Summer School Through a Growth Mindset Lens

Dr. David Dockterman provides suggestions for leveraging learning mindsets to help students view summer school as a valuable opportunity for growth.

Dr. David Dockterman
Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education

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5 Tips for Connecting With Hard-to-Reach Students

If you find yourself pulling away from or avoiding connection with hard-to-reach students, try leaning in instead by following these five steps.

Janice Mace
Senior Counselor, National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland

The Importance Of Sel In Schools

Why is Social-Emotional Learning Important in Schools?

Why is SEL important? In an HMH survey, K-12 educators noted the high importance of social emotional learning in schools today.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Self Care For Teachers

Self-Care for Teachers: Why and How to Make It a Priority

Self-care for teachers matters because unhealthy educators can’t help students. Use these tips from ICLE's Adam Drummond to improve your teacher wellness.

Adam Drummond, EdD
Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools and Author, Instructional Leadership

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Why Are Teachers Striking? It's Time to Listen to Their Greatest Concerns

Why are teachers going on strike in cities across the U.S.? ICLE Senior Fellow Tyrone Howard assesses recent teacher strikes and the primary challenges educators face in the classroom.

Dr. Tyrone C. Howard
Professor, UCLA; Senior Fellow, The Center for Model Schools; HMH Learning Sciences & Research Advisory Board

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