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Shaped

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

 

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Grades 9–12 ELA Activity Set 2: Analyze a Poem and More

Have high schoolers analyze a poem, summarize an informational text, and write effective arguments with this week's downloadables activities.

Shaped Staff

Small-Group Reading Activities and Lesson Ideas Hero

Small-Group Reading Activities and Lesson Ideas

Planning small-group reading activities and lesson ideas doesn’t have to be complicated; with thoughtful preparation and the right resources, it can be a simple process.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

Young student wearing headphones completing a digital dyslexia screening on a computer

How Do You Screen for Dyslexia in Schools? Follow These 6 Steps

Answer a key question as an educator—how do you screen for dyslexia?—by following six key steps. Testing for dyslexia in schools is important to identify at-risk students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 10: Create a Story Spine and More

Have middle schoolers create a Story Spine, find inspiration in everyday objects, and write an advice column.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 9–12 ELA Activity Set 5: Teaching Metaphor by Carol Jago and More

High schoolers can sharpen their writing, language, critical thinking, and reading skills with these instructional resources.

Shaped Staff

Blog Lit Language Arts Activities 6 8 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 8: Analyze a Media Message

For this week's activities, students can create how-to videos, analyze media messages, and respond to summer writing prompts.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 5: Teaching Metaphor by Carol Jago and More

Teach students about metaphors and have them write fiction stories with these free downloadable activities for middle schoolers.

Shaped Staff

virtual teaching computer screen

5 Tips on How to Teach Reading Online

Teaching reading online during the pandemic can be challenging. Learn how to teach reading virtually with these tips from a first-grade teacher.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

Teacher leading a small group of students during vocabulary intervention

Evidence-Based Vocabulary Intervention Strategies

Implement these evidence-based vocabulary intervention strategies and activities to support students in building vocabulary knowledge.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 6: Explore a Podcast and More

Have your students hone their active-listening skills and identify literary terms with these at-home activities for middle schoolers.

Educator reunites with teachers after successful reading intervention experience.

How Reading Intervention Turned an Indifferent Learner into a Passionate Educator

When Tarwo Konbloa came to the United States from a Cote d'Ivoire refugee camp at age 11, he struggled in school. But in time his academics improved through a mix of perseverance, intervention, and dedicated teachers.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Background knowledge reading hero 2

The Importance of Building Background Knowledge in Reading

In this blog, we break down the importance of building background knowledge in reading, and provide ways to build and strengthen comprehension.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

Kindergarten reading

Free Reading Activities for Kindergarten

Help your youngest students' build their literacy skills with these free reading activities for kindergarten, complete with videos, teacher guides, and more.

Shaped Staff

Two students reading and taking notes and one student using a tablet

My Top Five Reading Strategies for Secondary Students

Read more about five essential reading strategies for secondary students, including tips to enhance comprehension and help students become active readers.

Jakeima (Jai) Lewis, MEd
Sixth-Grade Teacher, Instructional Coach & Teacher’s Corner Contributor

WF1289060 Shaped 2020 Revamp Grade 3 5 Reading

Free Reading Activities for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

These reading activities for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will help your students with reading practice so they can gain the right literacy skills.

Shaped Staff

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Why Is Writing Important for Students?

Explore how teaching writing and providing writing practice instill skills in students that they can use throughout their academic career and beyond. 

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 2: Summarize an Informational Text and More

Have middle schoolers improve their writing, critical thinking, and reading skills with these activities, which include creating a word cloud and summarizing informational texts.

Shaped Staff

Teachers in a classroom in discussion

What Teachers Really Think about the Science of Reading and the Role of AI in Education

Two major discussions are happening in education right now: science of reading and the use of AI in the classroom. But how do teachers actually feel about them? Learn how educators view these important topics.

Lindsay Dworkin
Senior Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs

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