From setup to support, HMH will ensure your back-to-school season runs smoothly. Let’s go.

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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Closing the Gap Between Data and Decisions: From Scattered Data to One Clear Picture

Tier 1 instruction is where learning happens, but too often, data doesn’t translate into action. Discover how HMH Pulse turns assessment insights into clear, next-day instructional decisions teachers can trust.

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How to align multilingual instruction with the science of reading

What Does the Science of Reading Mean for Multilingual Learners?

Discover how research-based literacy practices and language support work together to help multilingual learners build strong reading skills and thrive in the classroom.

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Middle School Classroom Management

12 Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work

Create a healthy and happy learning environment with middle school classroom management strategies that are rooted in brain science.

Dr. Michael Vea

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WF2702202 Shaped 2026 Blog Post Science of Reading Lesson Plan Templates HERO

Science of Reading Lesson Plan Templates for K–5

Get free, printable science of reading lesson plan templates to help you plan evidence-based instruction across grades K-5 and learn more about what makes a lesson science of reading–aligned.

Onalee Smith

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2026 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2026 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

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Latest Posts

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Differentiated Instruction vs. Personalized Learning

This article walks through differentiated instruction vs. personalized learning, how they work together, and strategies for both.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

22 PBIS Reward Ideas to Make PBIS a School Hero Image

26 PBIS Reward Ideas to Make PBIS a School-Wide Celebration

Explore 26 PBIS rewards ideas for individual students, classrooms, and school-wide incentives. Find success in teaching students positive classroom behaviors.

Casey Brown
Shaped Contributor

Middle School Classroom Management

12 Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work

Create a healthy and happy learning environment with middle school classroom management strategies that are rooted in brain science.

Dr. Adriana Chavarín-López
Strategy and Instructional Support Officer, San Diego Unified School District

Dr. Michael Vea
Strategy and Instructional Support Officer, San Diego Unified School District

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1417802 BTS Writing Prompts HS and MS Hero

35 Back-to-School Writing Prompts for Middle and High School

School's back in session, which means it's time for a fresh batch of writing prompts for the new year. Have your high school or middle school students try these back-to-school prompts this fall.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Female student smiling in elementary classroom

10 Math Icebreakers: Games and Activities for All Grades

These math icebreakers are games and activities that span all grades to help math teachers get students practicing math while getting to know one another.

Shaped Staff

School Calendar Themes Hero

2026–2027 Monthly Calendar Themes for School

Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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2026 Classroom Management Articles and Resources for Teachers

Use our curated list of classroom management articles and resources to help you organize and manage your classroom.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Summer learning activities for elementary and middle school students

17 Fun Summer School Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

As the school year ends, keep kids engaged with these fun summer school activities for elementary and middle school students.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

WF2683300 Shaped 2026 Blog Post Declaration of Independence Activity and Lesson Plan Ideas HERO

10 Fun Declaration of Independence Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas 

Try these 10 Declaration of Independence activity and lesson plan ideas to explore key ideas and the historical significance of this foundational historical document.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

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Math Articles and Resources for Teachers and Educators

Explore math articles and resources for teachers and other educators looking for support teaching K-12 mathematics

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Earth Day Classroom Activities

8 Fun Earth Day Activities for Middle & High School Students

Honor the planet in your classroom with these fun Earth Day activities for middle school and high school students.

Danni Green
Writer, Girls Write Now

Alexa Dowlen
Learning Experience Design, K–12 Science

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What Are Tiered Assignments in Education?

What are tiered assignments in education? Learn how this differentiated instruction strategy meets students at every readiness level.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Research-Based Phonemic Awareness Interventions

Discover why research-based phonemic awareness interventions matter—and get strategies, sample intervention plans, and activities for K–12 students.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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Financial Literacy Lesson Plans and Activities for Middle School Students

Use these financial literacy lesson plans and activities for middle school to teach students about topics ranging from salaries to wages to creating a personal budget.

Shaped Staff

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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

Fun Black History Month Activities For Kids 2

13 Fun Black History Month Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Download these fun Black History Month activities for elementary and middle school students to teach your class about African American history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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

WF2513200 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Winter Solstice Science Activities Hero Banner

6 Fun Winter Solstice Classroom Activities & Lesson Plans

Discover fun winter solstice classroom activities that celebrate the shortest day of the year.

Christen Spehr
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.