Shaped

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

 

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Formative Assessment Using Technology

Dynamic formative assessment using technology helps guide teacher instruction and keep students on the right track.

Shaped Staff

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Teaching about Classifying Polygons

Teach students about the different types of polygons in mathematics, which can be described as flat, closed figures with three or more sides.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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29 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

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Teaching Students How to Write a Reflective Narrative Essay

This lesson explores how to write a reflective narrative essay, a type of writing where writers reflect on an experience and show how their lives changed.

Shaped Staff

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How to Foster a Growth Mindset in the Classroom

Learn how to foster a growth mindset in the classroom. With a growth mindset, the process is just as important as the outcome.

Morgan Hugoboom
Shaped Contributor

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Creating an Inclusive School: Action Items for Administrators

Learn about action items for creating an inclusive school and ensuring equitable instruction so that that all students, especially underrepresented students or marginalized students, feel like they belong.

Anthony Colannino
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Leading & Teaching for Growth, LLC; Author of Leading with Head and Heart

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Mayan Pyramids vs. Egyptian Pyramids Lesson Plan Idea

Looking to include ELA instruction in your social studies classroom? This Mayan pyramids vs. Egyptian pyramids lesson plan idea has students discuss the similarities and differences between the two types of structures through writing an essay.

Shaped Staff

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Meet the Teacher Night Ideas: Holding a Successful Event for Students’ Families

Try these Meet the Teacher Night ideas to give students and families a warm welcome to your classroom and start off the school year right.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

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5 Challenges Teachers Will Face This Fall—and How to Address Them

In the new school year, teachers will face challenges surrounding social and emotional learning and potentially continued remote learning for some students.

Rachel Swartz
Sixth Grade Teacher, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (MS/HS 141), Bronx, New York

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The Best Teacher Podcasts for 2024

Whether you are a first year teacher or about to retire, explore your podcast options when it comes to the K-12 educational space.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Understand How the Human Brain Works to Build Classroom Routines

As you return to your school or classroom, keep these ideas in mind to create a neuro-friendly environment as a teacher or administrator.

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

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Teaching with Math Place-Value Charts

A place-value system is one in which the position of a digit in a number determines its value, and a place-value chart is a way to make sure digits are in the correct places.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Build Community Classroom Strategies

6 Strategies for Building Community in the Classroom

How do you foster a sense of safety and belonging so students can focus their energy on learning? These strategies for building community in the classroom will help.

Perry Hollins
Fourth-Grade Teacher, Evanston/Skokie School District, Illinois

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6 Tips for Building a Diverse Classroom Library

Explore tips and resources that will help you build a culturally diverse classroom library and foster an inclusive classroom environment.

Carey Blankenship-Kramer
Shaped Staff

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What is a Growth Mindset in Education and Why Does it Matter?

What is growth mindset in education? Adopting a growth mindset in education requires no cost to implement, but it pays dividends.

Morgan Hugoboom
Shaped Contributor

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Oral Reading Fluency Assessment: Optimizing Instruction

Providing an oral reading fluency assessment is an important part of not just providing oral reading fluency instruction but measuring growth and ensuring effective instruction.

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

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What Is Oral Reading Fluency?

This article answers the question, what is oral reading fluency? It provides fluency teaching strategies after defining fluency and explaining why it's important.

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

Summer Hiatus and Podcast Awards

Podcast: Summer Hiatus and Podcast Awards

Summer Announcement! Make sure to vote for the Teachers in America podcast this July in the 16th Annual Podcast Awards for the education category.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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