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Shaped

The learners of today will shape 

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

Latest Posts

Podcast cover with Samuel Gonzalez

Podcast: Serving Students, Country & Self with Samuel Gonzalez

Pennsylvania educator Samuel Gonzalez has been teaching for just two years, and all while studying for his doctorate and serving in the National Guard.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Talking to kids about scary news

Talking to Kids about Scary News

Read key tips for teachers and parents on talking to children about troubling events in the news.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

CASEL SEL competencies

Teach the 5 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies

The 5 social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) are crucial to students’ learning and growth. Explore the competencies and strategies for helping students achieve them.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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11 SEL Check-In Questions for Students’ Well-Being

Explore 11 SEL check-in questions for students well-being that can get kids talking and help you identify students needing support.

Brita Sherren
Shaped Contributor

St Patricks Day Writing Prompts Hero

22 St. Patrick’s Day Writing Prompts and Activities

Bring some luck to your classroom with these St. Patrick’s Day writing prompts and activities for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

What is Pi Day and why do we celebrate it?

What Is Pi Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?

What is Pi Day and why do we celebrate It? Learn about the history of the holiday and how to celebrate Pi Day in the classroom.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Guiding Student Research with a KWL Chart Template

An important first step in the research process can be to guide students towards an organizational aide, such as a KWL chart template.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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Phases of the Moon Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas

Shoot for the moon with free science and math resources, including activities, labs, and FUNomenal Readers.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Teaching with Math Exit Tickets

If you are looking for a flexible and quick way to incorporate assessment into your math classroom, math exit tickets may be your answer.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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6 Differentiated Instructional Strategies for Middle School Math

This list of differentiation instructional strategies for middle school math teachers gives ideas for students of all backgrounds to engage in math.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Talk First, Write Later: Oral Communication in the Classroom

Hear from Erik Palmer why speaking is just as important as reading and writing as a form of communication.

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

Black History Month Hero Updated

7 Black History Month Quotes for Students, Plus Activities

Discover seven Black History Month quotes for students to pair with classroom activities. Use these activities as part of your Black History Month curriculum—or any time of year!

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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Formative Reading Assessment & Usable Data

Formative reading assessments measure what students have learned so far—and the data help inform teachers’ instruction.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Dr. Terry Salinger
Institute Fellow and Chief Scientist for Literacy Research, American Institutes for Research

Reading Fluency Intervention Strategies Hero

8 Effective Fluency Strategies for Reading Intervention

Discover these eight research-based reading fluency intervention strategies you can use in the classroom.

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

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Gamification in Education: The Fun of Learning

This article breaks down the question, what is gamification in education? Gamification of learning means that educators apply game design elements to an educational setting.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Podcast: Fostering a Passion for STEM with Chicago Teacher Misty Richmond

We're kicking off season 4 with Chicago Public Schools teacher Misty Richmond, who discusses how she gets her students invested in STEM careers.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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12 Valentine’s Day Activities for Middle and High School Students

Get your whole class feeling the love this February 14. Try these Valentine’s Day activities for middle school and high school students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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8 Free Elementary Math Activities

Get your elementary students hooked on math with these games and activities.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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