Shaped

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

Latest Posts

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Podcast: The Importance of the Arts for Public Healing with Marc Bamuthi Joseph

We are joined by the Kennedy Center’s vice president and artistic director for social impact, Marc Bamuthi Joseph. A National Poetry Slam champion and a TED Global Fellow, Marc discusses the future of social impact and the role of the arts in public healing.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Video: Teaching Math with Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Use this video to teach numbers and expressions in math class by investigating how different numbers look around the world and throughout history at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Virtual Academy

Creating a Virtual Academy in Your District? Here Are 6 Things to Consider

Some kids are benefitting from our experiment with online learning during the pandemic, and districts across the country are building virtual academies to meet their needs.

Dr. Robert Dillon
School Designer, Author, Educator

Social and Emotional Learning Strategies

10 Social and Emotional Learning Strategies for Responding to COVID-19

Nurturing students social emotional learning during COVID-19 is essential. Explore key SEL principles that schools and educators can use during the pandemic.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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

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6 Research-Backed Ways to Close the COVID Learning Gap

These strategies for closing the COVID Learning Gap can support efforts to improve student outcomes and help address the issue of interrupted schooling.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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Podcast: From Foster Care to State Teacher of the Year with Anthony Swann

Meet Anthony Swann, a fifth grade teacher in Rocky Mount, Virginia. An advocate for hope and empathy when it comes to students contending with trauma, Anthony was named the 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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The 3 Most Critical Aspects of Teaching Mathematics Going into Next Year

Looking forward to the next school year, set down things that aren’t essential. Focus on aspects of math teaching known to be high-quality instruction: creating moments of disequilibrium, facilitating physical interactions, and facilitating social interactions.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Planning for 504 and IEP Success in a Post-Pandemic World

Incorporate lessons from distance learning into your IEP and 504 planning. Suzanne Jimenez, a former director of special education in Virginia, shares strategies.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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