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Activityset 5

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

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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

Digital reading lesson displayed on classroom and student screens

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

Students building background knowledge through reading and collaborative learning

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

Students discussing ideas during collaborative writing instruction

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

Activityset2

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

Educators collaborating on science of reading and AI implementation planning

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

Teacher providing reading support to young learners during a small-group literacy lesson.

Early Reading Intervention Strategies for Young Learners

Learn more about effective early reading intervention strategies designed to support young learners.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

WF2013900 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Guide to Creating Student Podcasts Hero

How to Start a Student Podcast: A Quick Guide

A quick guide for how to start a student podcast, with tips and tricks for teachers for the whole recording process

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

Student uses digital resources to build background knowledge

Strategies for Building Background Knowledge in Reading, Grades K–6

Learn more about and get strategies for building background knowledge in reading.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

HMH Staff

Teacher guides students using reading comprehension strategies in class

Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies for the Literacy Classroom

Explore evidence-based reading comprehension strategies that can promote deeper comprehension among your students.

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

Students write at their desks during a classroom poetry writing lesson

New Wings: Writing Praise Poems in the Classroom

Poet Glenis Redmond says teaching students how to write a praise poem is a great way to dive into metaphors and similes and have them flex their creative muscles.

Glenis Redmond
Poet and Teaching Artist