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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

How to build a classroom library hero

How to Build a Classroom Library

Get tips on how to build a classroom library—and where to find books for elementary and middle school students.

Lisa Sims
Former HMH Consultant

Middle School Classroom Management

10 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

Classroom routines and procedures hero

Classroom Rituals and Routines Examples

These classroom rituals and routines will ensure your school year is successful.

Dr. Amanda Patterson
National Director, Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

911 memorial hero

9/11 Activities for Elementary Students

How do you teach younger students about the September 11, 2001 attacks and their impact? We've got you covered with these 9/11 activities for elementary school.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Wf926906 Shaped 2019 Blog Posts September Podcast Day2

4 Ways to Celebrate International Podcast Day

Here are some fun ways you can help your students celebrate International Podcast Day, introduce them to an engaging form of media, and even get them making their own podcasts!

Joanna Miral
Shaped Staff

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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

WF1417802 BTS Writing Prompts HS and MS Hero

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

Teaching about classifying polygons

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

Teaching students how to write a reflective narrative hero

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

Teacher in classroom with students

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

What is an inclusive school students sitting in school

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

Mayan pyramids vs egyptian pyramids lesson plan idea hero

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

Meet the teacher night ideas

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

Covid challenges

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

WF1375802 Hero 1

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

WF1421559 Building Routines Hero

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

Diverse library

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

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