Shaped

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

Latest Posts

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Podcast: The Right Book for Reluctant Readers with Qorsho Hassan

Meet Qorsho Hassan, a second grade teacher and the 2020 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. On this episode we discuss the importance of independent reading, identity, and representation for our students.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Structuring the Literacy Block

The most productive literacy block schedules include various reading and writing activities and instruction to help build foundational skills.

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

SEL

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in Education? Insights for K–12 Educators

Get answers to common questions like "What is social-emotional learning in education?" and "Why is SEL important?"

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Teachers in America Podcast: Spotlight on Florida

The Teachers in America podcast goes to Florida to meet the teachers who educate the Sunshine State.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

One to one Teaching

One-on-One Teaching Strategies to Reach All Learners

Make time in your packed schedule for one-on-one teaching strategies that deliver big benefits for students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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National Dyslexia Awareness Month 2024

Honor 2024 National Dyslexia Awareness Month this October by better understanding how learning differences can affect your students' social and emotional learning.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Community Building Shout Outs

6 Classroom Community-Building Activities for Elementary Students

Ready to help your kiddos develop meaningful relationships and connect with their classmates? Try these classroom community-building activities for elementary students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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90-Second Science: Quick and Easy Science Experiments

Watch these 90-Second Science videos of quick and easy science experiments for kids that you can do at home or in the classroom.

Shaped Staff

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Podcast: How to Encourage Ambition with Shellye Archambeau (Author)

Meet Shellye Archambeau, former CEO of MetricStream and author of the book Unapologetically Ambitious. In this episode we learn how to encourage our students to be future leaders.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Podcast: The Future of Happiness and Education with Tal Ben-Shahar

Season 2 of the Shaping the Future Podcast kicks off with special guest Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, author of Happier and co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy. Join host Matthew Mugo Fields as he asks about anti-fragility and the elements of happiness.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Podcast cover with Perry Hollins

Podcast: Flex on Them Fridays with Perry Hollins

Meet Perry Hollins, a fourth grade teacher and former DJ who has spent the past 11 years infusing an African-centered pedagogy into the curriculum. Perry utilizes his education to create a culturally responsive, project-based learning environment for independent, flexible thinkers.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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7 Strategies for Teaching Math to English Language Learners

These ELL strategies for math instruction will help you with teaching math to English language learners and supporting math learning for multilingual students.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Teaching Quadrant Numbers on a Graph

With this math lesson, you can teach students about coordinates, integers, coordinate planes, and functions on a graph.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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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

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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

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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

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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

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