Shaped

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

 

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Featured Posts

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How K-12 Administrators Can Run a 10-Minute ELA Audit

Use this 10-minute ELA curriculum audit to quickly scan your school’s full ELA system for research-aligned literacy indicators, identify gaps, and plan next steps

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How to align instruction with the science of reading

Meeting the AI Moment in Education—and How We Get It Right

AI is reshaping education—discover how to harness its potential and ensure we get it right for learners everywhere.

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Henry County Schools’ Strategic Approach to High-Quality Instruction in Every Classroom

See how one school system created a unified approach to instruction—aligning curriculum, professional learning, and feedback into a clear, scalable playbook.

Zoe Del Mar

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5 Things We Can Learn from This Year’s 180 Award Winners

From goal-setting to classroom routines, here are five practices shaping the success of this year’s 180 Award-winning teachers.

Brenda Iasevoli

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Intervention vs. Remediation in Education: How They’re Different & Why That Matters

Compare intervention vs remediation in education, including how they're different, why they're important, and strategies and activities to implement them

Dr. Bonnie Cochran

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Latest Posts

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5 Stages of Second Language Acquisition

Learn about the five stages of second language acquisition and explore effective strategies to support multilingual learners at every stage of language development.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Rethinking MTSS for Multilingual Learners

The MTSS framework is just one piece of the full picture in supporting multilingual learners. Discover how asset-based approaches and intentional language scaffolding create stronger systems of support that help multilingual learners thrive.

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

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Multilingual Learners and the Science of Reading: Blending Code-Based and Language-Based Instruction

Explore how the science of reading supports multilingual learners and how integrating code-based and language-based instruction helps MLs become confident readers, writers, listeners, and speakers.

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

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Effective Strategies: Scaffolding for ELL Students That Benefits the Whole Class

What is scaffolding and how does it help ELL students? Read to learn about scaffolding for ELL students, including benefits and best practices.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

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Scaffolding and Differentiation for ELL Students in Math 

Learn how scaffolding and differentiation for ELL students in math support multilingual learners in accessing grade-level content while strengthening both language development and conceptual understanding.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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English Language Development Articles and Resources for Teachers

Browse our catalog of English language development articles and resources for teachers that include research-based strategies and tools to support multilingual learners.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Instructional Strategies for ELL Students

Learn about instructional strategies for ELL students that support multilingual learners in developing stronger language skills and self‑confidence.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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What Is MLL in Education?

Understand what is MLL in education, how it compares to ELL, and actionable steps leaders can take to foster environments that help multilingual learners succeed.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF2408589 ELL and Special Education Hero

English Language Learners (ELL) and Special Education

Dually identified learners are English language learners who also qualify for special education services. Learn proven strategies and resources to accurately identify and support these students in your classroom.

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

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What Are Dual-Language Immersion Programs? 

Learn about dual-language immersion programs and their benefits.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Beyond the Acronyms: Multilingual Learners (MLL) vs. English Language Learners (ELL)—Why the Terms We Use Matter

Explore why is it important to understand the difference between multilingual learners (MLL or ML) vs. English language learner (ELL) and how educators can appropriately support each group in the classroom.

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

WF2293201 Shaped 2025 Blog Post What is ESL in Education

What Is ESL in Education?

ESL (English as a second language) is English instruction for non-English speakers who are living in an English-speaking environment. Learn more about the purpose and importance of ESL in schools.

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

WF2232100 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Difference Between ELL vs ESL Hero

ELL vs. ESL

Although both the acronyms ESL (English as a second language) and ELL (English language learners) relate to English language learning, they are not synonymous. Read to learn about the differences between the terms ELL and ESL.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

What Is Translanguaging

What Is Translanguaging in the Classroom?

What is translanguaging? Learn the definition of translanguaging and strategies for translanguaging in the multilingual classroom.

Drs. Yvonne and David Freeman
Authors, On Our Way to English, Professors Emeriti, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

Middle school students using laptops

Improving Outcomes for Multilingual Learners: An English 3D Case Study

Discover English 3D’s impact on multilingual students in the Community Consolidated School District 15 in Chicago, Illinois.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Shaped Staff

WF2070063 Shaped 2024 Blog Post ELL Strategies for Elementary Students Hero

ELL Strategies for Elementary Students 

Address the varying of needs of ELL students in elementary grades and support them on their pathway to English language proficiency with these instructional strategies and resources.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Explicit, Targeted English Language Development Instruction

Learn about explicit and targeted English language development instruction and find strategies for ELD instruction.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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[Podcast] Finding Your Joy: Advocating for ESL Students and Educators with 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman in TN

2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman joins us and offers words of inspiration and practical advice to nurture the joy in teaching. Plus, she shares tips on teacher mentoring, getting ready for the back-to-school season, and supporting multilingual learners.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

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Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

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People’s Choice Podcast Awards

Finalist, 2021 & 2023, Teachers in America

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