Shaped

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

 

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How Has Technology Changed Education?

Here we take a deep dive into the question, “How has technology changed education?” and uncover tech’s role in opening up new possibilities for teaching and learning.

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[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Education Predictions for 2025 with Shawn Young

[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Education Predictions for 2025 with Shawn Young 

What will be trending in education in 2025? Host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Classcraft cofounder and HMH’s SVP of product management and strategy Shawn Young to discuss 2025 education predictions. 

Listen Now
9 Black History Month Science Activities and Experiments

9 Black History Month Science Activities & Experiments

Use these Black History Month science activities and experiments to teach students about notable scientists and inventors.

Alicia Ivory

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22 Valentine’s Day Writing Prompts and Ideas

No matter what your middle school or high school class is reading, these writing prompts about love will get them ready for Valentine's Day.

Ali Habashi

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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

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Latest Posts

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A Quick Guide to AI Literacy Day for K-12 Educators

AI Literacy Day is an initiative designed to introduce students to AI concepts, encourage ethical discussions, and inspire critical thinking about the role of AI in society. It provides educators with tools and resources to help students explore AI in a meaningful way and promotes an understanding of AI beyond just coding, emphasizing real-world applications and responsible use.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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The Phonological Awareness Umbrella: Building Blocks of Early Reading Success

This blog explores the “phonological awareness umbrella” metaphor in depth, delving into the skills it encompasses and actionable strategies for classroom instruction.

Dr. Anne Cunningham
Professor, University of California, Berkeley; HMH Author

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Progression of Phonological Awareness Skills

This blog post explores the progression of phonological awareness skills and ways you can support developing readers.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Grades 9–12 ELA Activity Set 7: Memorize and Recite a Poem and More

With these downloadable activities, high schoolers will memorize and recite a poem, take notes as they read a novel, and memorialize a book in memes.

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Women's History Month Bulletin Board Ideas: Celebrating Herstory

Decorate your classroom using these seven Women’s History Month bulletin board ideas to teach students about the achievements of women throughout history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Animals

Give your kids an inside look at the animal world with five days of reading lessons for first and second graders.

Shaped Staff

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School Climate vs. School Culture: The Path to Be a Model School

Learn the difference between school climate and school culture and how both play important roles in shaping a welcoming and supportive learning environment.

Dr. Adam Drummond
Author, Associate Partner; Center for Model Schools Instructional Leadership

2025 Blog Post Education Trends to Watch Hero

10 Trends in Education to Watch in 2025 

From AI-generated learning podcasts to the reduction in EdTech sprawl, these are the current trends in education to watch in 2025.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Grades 6–8 Math Activity Set 4: Sweet Success and More

Help students build their skills in working with fractions, decimals, ratios, and percent.

Shaped Staff

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How to Overcome 3 Major Roadblocks to Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Alignment

Explore the common barriers to curricular alignment and actionable steps leaders can implement to foster coherence, collaboration, and long-term success.

Dr. Suzanne Jimenez
Director of Academic Planning and Data Analytics at HMH

Dr. Bonnie Cochran
Director of Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 4: Explore Haiku and More

Have your middle schoolers write their own haikus, identify themes in works of literature, and create a character's social media profile.

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What Is Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in Education? Insights for K–12 Educators

Get answers to common questions like "What is social and emotional learning in education?" and "Why is SEL important?"

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Collaborative, Data-Driven Success: How a Virginia School District is Focusing on Student Growth

Discover how Loudoun County Public Schools leveraged data-driven strategies, collaboration, and aligned initiatives to focus on student growth for all learners in this case study.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

WF1992363 Shaped 2024 Blog Post What Is Small Group Instruction

What Is Small-Group Instruction?

Discover what is small group instruction and how it can give your students a more personalized learning experience.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

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Inspiring Black History Month Bulletin Board Ideas for the Classroom

These Black History Month bulletin board ideas for elementary and middle school will inspire your students and teach them about African Americans' challenges and triumphs in history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Famous female scientists

Celebrating Famous Women in Science Who Have Impacted the World

Teach students about eight famous women in science by downloading these posters. These women have contributed to fields ranging from engineering to astronomy to chemistry.

Shaped Staff

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What Are the Factors That Contribute to Reading Failure?

Dr. Laurie Cutting investigates how phonics plays a key role in an early learner’s ability to read successfully, while family history can play a role in dyslexia and other struggling readers.

Dr. Laurie E. Cutting
Professor, Vanderbilt University

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Grades 9–12 ELA Activity Set 4: Analyze Theme and More

Activities including creating a sketchnote, writing an ode to an everyday item, and analyzing the theme of a short story.

Shaped Staff

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