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Shaped

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

 

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WF2563950 Shaped 2026 Blog Post AI and Oral Communication in the Classroom hero2

How Oral Communication Skills Set Students Apart in an AI World

What skills can we give students that AI can’t replace? Explore how oral communication skills are one way students can set themselves apart in an AI world.

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

WF1535300 Hero

National Poetry Month Activities for Middle and High School Classrooms

From nursery rhymes to absurdist poetry to rap, these activities will help your middle or high school class celebrate National Poetry Month this April.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Teacher with students in middle school classroom

How Teachers Use Writable with Into Reading and Into Literature 

Discover how Writable enhances core ELA programs with AI‑supported feedback and schoolwide writing data that helps leaders monitor progress and drive instructional improvement.

Jessica Altounian
Senior Marketing Manager, HMH Labs

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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

Teacher guiding a student through reading during a dyslexia intervention session

Evidence-Based Dyslexia Intervention Strategies to Support Striving Readers

Empower your instruction with research‑backed dyslexia strategies that help you support striving readers with confidence and clarity.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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

Policyin Motion hero wholetextexcerpts

Whole Texts vs. Excerpts: Finding the Balance

A look at why strong ELA instruction includes both whole books and well‑chosen excerpts—helping students build deep comprehension, background knowledge, and a love of reading.

Jennifer Hitt
VP, Product Management

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

Educators discuss strategies behind Dorchester School District Two success

Opening Doors in Dorchester 2: A Districtwide Reading Success Story

Dorchester School District Two in South Carolina uses MTSS along with Read 180 to ensure all students find success in reading.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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

WF2285225 Shaped 2025 Blog Post USVI State Teacher of the Year Interview 2 1

2024 USVI Teacher of the Year Advocates for Literacy and Supports Her Community

2024 US Virgin Islands Teacher of the Year Ms. Astral Battiste shares her literacy initiative, family support efforts, and practical teaching tips for new educators.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF2333275 Writing Activities for Middle Schoolers hero

8 Fun Writing Activities for Middle School Students

These fun writing activities for middle school students address the critical writing skills students need for high school and beyond.

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

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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