Shaped

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

Featured Posts

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Understanding the Benefits of Personalized Learning

Learn more about the benefits of personalized learning to help guide you when implementing it in your classroom.

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Teachers in America Briana Morales

Podcast: Helping Students Heal Through Writing with Briana Morales

2024 Illinois State Teach of the Year Briana Morales shares how she uses healing-centered engagement and storytelling to empower her students. Plus she shares writing activities to engage students in identity work and how to start a classroom dignity closet to help students in need.

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6 Juneteenth Activities & Lesson Plans for Students

Celebrate Juneteenth in the classroom. Explore Juneteenth activities and lesson plans for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

Alicia Ivory

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5 Father's Day Ideas for Elementary Students

Use these 5 Father's Day school ideas for elementary students as a fun way for your class to celebrate those who care about them!

Shaped Staff

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Serving All Students with Pride

Hear from HMH Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer, Benita Flucker, on why LGBTQ+ students have the right to feel respected, to feel affirmed, and to know that they have agency.

Benita Flucker

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Latest Posts

Teacher and student in classroom talking

What Is Benchmark Assessment?

Benchmark assessments are a key tool to bridge the information gap between what’s going on in the short term within the classroom and end-of-year expectations.

Adam Withycombe
NWEA principal content designer, HMH

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Types of Classroom Interventions

Learn to address students' unique academic and behavioral needs with different types of classroom interventions.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

teacher and students in the classroom

Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies for the Literacy Classroom

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

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Podcast: Helping Students Heal Through Writing with Briana Morales in IL on Teachers in America

2024 Illinois State Teach of the Year Briana Morales shares how she uses healing-centered engagement and storytelling to empower her students. Plus she shares writing activities to engage students in identity work and how to start a classroom dignity closet to help students in need.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF2002500 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Why is Phonological Awareness Important for Reading Hero

Why Is Phonological Awareness Important for Reading Development?

Phonological awareness skills are important foundational knowledge for the effective development of letter-sound relationships. Learn more about how it can help students with reading development.

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

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Podcast: Building Vocabulary to Increase Reading Comprehension with Abbey Behnke in WI on Teachers in America

HMH Teacher Ambassador Abbey Behnke shares instructional strategies and activities to engage students in vocabulary learning. Plus, she discusses how vocabulary is a catalyst for building reading comprehension skills.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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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

Superintendent of the Year Joe Gothard

Lessons from the National Superintendent of the Year

Superintendent of the Year Joe Gothard talked with HMH about the achievement he's most proud of, the lessons he has learned from the implementation of new reading and math programs in Saint Paul, and his advice for fellow school leaders.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Belonging School Kentwood

A Culture of Belonging Allows Students to Flourish in a Michigan District

See how teachers and curricula work together to create a sense of belonging and academic success in the fourth most diverse district in the nation.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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The Role of Technology for ELL Students in the Classroom

Find out the answer to the question, “What is the role of assistive technology for ELL students in the classroom?” Plus, discover helpful tips and activity ideas for using technology in your classroom.

Dr. Giselle Carpio-Williams
Vice President Multilingual Advocacy & Content, HMH

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ELL Assessment Strategies

Explore the different types of assessments to monitor ELL students’ growth and progress and learn how to best use these assessments in your classroom.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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10 Math Intervention Strategies for Struggling Students

These math intervention strategies for struggling students provide lessons, activities, and ideas to support Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 math students who are two or more years behind grade level.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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School Principal Leadership Coaching

Leadership coaching for principals serves as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Explore what leadership coaching is and what some of the benefits are for your school and district.

Dr. Jessica Huizenga
Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools

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Understanding the Benefits of Personalized Learning

Learn more about the benefits of personalized learning to help guide you when implementing it in your classroom.

Mary Resanovich
NWEA Lead Assessment Designer, HMH

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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, Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York

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What Do Teachers Want for Teacher Appreciation Week?

We reached out to teachers and asked them to share the most meaningful ways principals, students, and families can show appreciation for Teacher Appreciation Week and all year long. Here's what they said.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1880715 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Science of Reading Small Group Reading Instruction Hero

Science of Reading: Small-Group Instruction Strategies

This article shares ideas on how to integrate the science of reading and evidenced-based instructional techniques in small-group reading instruction.

Dr. Martha C. Hougen
National Consultant, Presenter, Researcher, and Author

Dr. Heather Haynes Smith
Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Trinity University

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10 Effective Teaching Strategies for Every Classroom

Explore 10 effective teaching strategies for the classroom that you can use right now to help support your students in performing their best.

Mary Dean
Shaped Contributor

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