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Shaped

The learners of today will shape 

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

Latest Posts

Holiday Classroom Activities Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa

14 Winter Holiday Activities for School

Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with 14 holiday classroom activities, games, and crafts for elementary and middle school students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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8 Fun Winter Science Experiments and Activities

Brr, it’s cold outside! Use these fun winter science experiments and activities to teach students about the science behind common winter themes.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Fun Christmas Activities School

9 Fun Christmas Activities for School

Try our fun Christmas classroom activities for school. 'Tis the season to be jolly—while boosting math, reading, and writing skills, of course!

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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10 Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Elementary Students

No hand-traced turkeys here! Celebrate the holiday while boosting critical math, reading, and writing skills with these fun Thanksgiving activities for elementary students.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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8 Free Veterans Day Activities for Elementary Students

Find free Veterans Day activities and lesson plans for elementary students to honor and celebrate those who have served.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1773850 Shaped 2023 Blog Post Halloween Writing Prompts Hero

30 Fun Halloween Writing Prompts & Ideas

Have some spooky fun with your students while exercising their critical thinking skills using these Halloween writing prompts and journal ideas.

Carey Blankenship-Kramer
Shaped Staff

WF1833970 Shaped 2024 Blog Post National Instructional Coaches Day Cards Hero

Celebrate 2024 National Instructional Coaches Appreciation Day

Celebrate 2024 National Instructional Coaches Appreciation Day on Oct 6th. Discover the vital role instructional coaches play in education!

Nikki La Londe
Director of Services Content Development, HMH

Meghan Toshner

Inquiry Based Learning in Science Hero

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning in Science?

What is inquiry-based learning in science, and why is it important? Read more about the effectiveness of this teaching and learning approach.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

WF1833890 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Grandparents Day Activities for School Hero

2024 Grandparents’ Day Activities in Schools

Celebrate 2024 Grandparents' Day with classroom activities to honor your grandparent figures in the different ways.

Autumn Davis
Content Marketing Intern, HMH

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Seven Strategies For Reading Success Thumb

7 ELL Strategies for Reading Success

Try these 7 ELL strategies for reading success. Help your ELL students to engage with reading and foster a desire to connect with texts.

Rebecca Salinas
Learning Architect, HMH

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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11 Essential 9/11 Activities & Lesson Plans for the Classroom

Looking for ways to help your students understand the September 11 terror attacks and their impact? Use these 9/11 activities and lesson plans designed for middle and high school classrooms.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Icebreakers High School Hero

7 High-School Icebreakers for the First Day of School

These high school icebreakers for the first day of school will help students get to know one another while having fun.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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8 Fun Constitution Day Activities for Students: We the People

Here are Constitution Day activities to engage your students in learning about the historic document that defines how our government works.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning in Social Studies

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning in Social Studies?

What is inquiry-based learning in social studies? Learn more about inquiry-based learning and its benefits for students.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

June Middle School Icebreakers 2

5 First-Day-of-School Icebreaker Activities for Middle School Students

Check out our first-day-of-school icebreaker activities for middle school students. Using icebreakers will help ease everyone back into the school routine.

Kristen Eannetta
Instructional Coach

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9 Back-to-School Icebreakers for Elementary Students

Teachers can use these fun back-to-school icebreaker activities for elementary students in the classroom or remotely.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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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
Shaped Editor

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2024 First-Day-of-School Icebreakers for All Grades

As you return to the classroom for back-to-school, try these 2024 first-day-of-school icebreaker activities to develop a sense of normalcy among students and build community.

Shaped Staff

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