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National Poetry Month Activities for Middle and High School Classrooms

From nursery rhymes to absurdist poetry to rap, these activities will help your middle or high school class celebrate National Poetry Month this April.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Teaching Foundational Reading Skills

Teaching foundational reading skills is one of the most important goals of early grade and reading intervention teachers. Learn more about the key foundational reading skills and other literacy skills students need to become proficient.

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

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

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How to Improve Mental Health in Schools: Mental Health Matters

Learn how to improve mental health in schools. Explore 12 strategies for promoting mental health in schools the support the well-being of students!

Amanda Clark
Shaped Contributor

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True, False, and Open Sentences in Math

In this article, we investigate true, false, and open sentences in mathematics, including how to tell whether a sentence is true and false and how to solve open sentences.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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School Turnaround Through a Thriving Culture and Building Relationships

Creating schools with a thriving culture of positive relationships is truly the foundation of success.

Dr. Lucretia Prince
Principal, Crestmont Elementary School

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Podcast: Serving Students, Country & Self with Samuel Gonzalez

Pennsylvania educator Samuel Gonzalez has been teaching for just two years, and all while studying for his doctorate and serving in the National Guard.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Talking to Kids about Scary News

Read key tips for teachers and parents on talking to children about troubling events in the news.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Teach the 5 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies

The 5 social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) are crucial to students’ learning and growth. Explore the competencies and strategies for helping students achieve them.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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11 SEL Check-In Questions for Students’ Well-Being

Explore 11 SEL check-in questions for students well-being that can get kids talking and help you identify students needing support.

Brita Sherren
Shaped Contributor

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22 St. Patrick’s Day Writing Prompts and Activities

Bring some luck to your classroom with these St. Patrick’s Day writing prompts and activities for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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What Is Pi Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?

What is Pi Day and why do we celebrate It? Learn about the history of the holiday and how to celebrate Pi Day in the classroom.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Guiding Student Research with a KWL Chart Template

An important first step in the research process can be to guide students towards an organizational aide, such as a KWL chart template.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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6 Differentiated Instructional Strategies for Middle School Math

This list of differentiation instructional strategies for middle school math teachers gives ideas for students of all backgrounds to engage in math.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Teaching with Math Exit Tickets

If you are looking for a flexible and quick way to incorporate assessment into your math classroom, math exit tickets may be your answer.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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Phases of the Moon Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas

Shoot for the moon with free science and math resources, including activities, labs, and FUNomenal Readers.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Talk First, Write Later: Oral Communication in the Classroom

Hear from Erik Palmer why speaking is just as important as reading and writing as a form of communication.

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

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Gamification in Education: The Fun of Learning

This article breaks down the question, what is gamification in education? Gamification of learning means that educators apply game design elements to an educational setting.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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7 Black History Month Quotes for Students, Plus Activities

Discover seven Black History Month quotes for students to pair with classroom activities. Use these activities as part of your Black History Month curriculum—or any time of year!

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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