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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

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Teaching Prime Factorization of 36

When a composite number (like 36) is written as a product of all of its prime factors, we have the prime factorization of the number.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Assessment in K–12 Schools This Fall: What Education Leaders Should Expect

When the 2021-2022 school year begins, the disruptions of the past year due to the pandemic will continue to impact instruction in different ways.

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

Dr. John Denbleyker
Principal Psychometrician/Manager of Psychometric Research and Data Analytics, HMH

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Podcast: Creating Classroom Content Worth Watching with CJ Reynolds

Meet CJ Reynolds, a high school teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By creating the teacher YouTube channel Real Rap with Reynolds, he has discovered that what might be ordinary for his classroom, may be someone else's extraordinary.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Teaching Dividend, Divisor, and Quotient in Division

When teaching students about dividend, divisor, and quotient in division, introduce algorithms that will allow them to divide larger numbers.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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How to Reset School Culture Post-COVID: Tips for Education Leaders

The pandemic has made it a challenge to bolster school spirit. You need a solid plan now to build a positive school culture post-COVID. Get our tips.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Q and a with sharroky hollie culturally responsive teaching

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching: Q&A with Dr. Sharroky Hollie

Dr. Sharroky Hollie, an expert on culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and learning, shares his insights on resilience during a pandemic, trends in education, and advice for education leaders.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

St Patricks Day Classroom Activities Hero

5 St. Patrick's Day Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these St. Patrick's Day activities for elementary and middle school to celebrate and teach your students about the history of the holiday.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1319107 Shaped 2021 Teacher Self Care hero

Prioritizing Self-Care for Teachers During COVID-19: Educators Weigh In

Given the challenges educators have encountered during the pandemic since March 2020, self-care for teachers during COVID-19 is now essential.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Making PD Decisions: The Professional Learning Partner Guide

The PLPG is a list of organizations that provide the best curriculum-aligned professional learning services in the country; educators can find and connect with professional learning providers who can meet their curriculum learning needs.

Shaped Staff

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Podcast: Shaking Up the Kindergarten Curriculum with LaNesha Tabb

Meet LaNesha Tabb, a kindergarten teacher at the Metropolitan School District in Lawrence Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. After starting a blog called Education with an Apron, LaNesha turned her sights on writing a book about the importance of teaching social studies.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Culturally responsive books

Embracing Inclusivity with Culturally Responsive Books for All Students

Teachers should read or assign culturally responsive books with characters of different cultures, races, religions, genders, and other identities to help them understand themselves and each other.

Jaleel R. Howard, MEd
Educator and UCLA Doctoral Student

Sam Blanchard
UCLA Doctoral Student and Former Teacher

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Teaching Absolute Value of a Number in Math

Teaching absolute value can help students understand the distance of a number on the number line from zero, regardless of the direction from zero that the number lies.

Shaped Staff

Nutrition Activities Elementary And Middle School

8 Nutrition Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these nutrition activities for elementary and middle school students to teach them about healthy eating, regular exercise, and self-care.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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8 Women's History Month Activities for Elementary Students

These 8 Women's History Month activities for elementary students showcase women who are making a difference. Find free downloadables and to easy ideas.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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5 Ways to Teach Controversial Issues in Class

Use these five approaches to address and teach controversial issues in your classroom consisting of students with diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Summer school admins

Q&A: How Administrators Are Preparing for Summer School Amid the Pandemic

Get expert insights into how school leaders can best address pandemic learning loss this summer and the bold choices they will have to make going forward.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Self reflection

The Importance of Student Self-Reflection in K-12 Lesson Design

Highlight the importance of student self-reflection when designing your curriculum by integrating these four teaching tips into your lessons.

Adam Drummond, EdD
Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools and Author, Instructional Leadership

National Nutrition Month

7 Nutrition Lesson Plans and Activities for High School Students

Kick-start a commitment to healthy eating this National Nutrition Month with these fresh and fun nutrition lesson plan and activity ideas for high school students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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