Shaped

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

Latest Posts

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The Best Halloween Books for Kids: Celebrate in the Classroom

Use this list of the best Halloween books for kids to celebrate the holiday in your classroom. Some of these Halloween children's books feature classic characters such as Curious George!

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

Diy Teacher Halloween Costumes

12 Ideas for Best DIY Teacher Halloween Costumes

Searching for the most creative DIY teacher costume to win your school's costume contest? Start with these picks for best teacher Halloween costumes!

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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All About Me Activities: Celebrate What Makes You 'Different'

Explore All About Me activities for elementary and middle school students. Help your students to celebrate what makes them different.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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Shapes, Patterns, and Arrangements: Math Activities for Preschoolers

Since your students have a basic knowledge of colors and shapes, Pre-K is a good year to start tackling concepts such as patterns.

Shaped Staff

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Empowering Students to Protect the Environment: Teacher Tips

How do educators approach the topic of climate change and environmental protection? Teachers offer advice on how they empower their students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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Back to the Language Basics: We Never Learned That!

How do you continue to grow your students’ proficiency in the target language when time must be spent reteaching the basics? A world languages teacher offers three free classroom activities to help teachers navigate possible gaps in curriculum.

Jori Greenhill
Spanish Teacher

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Teach SEL with Carmen Sandiego’s Fearless Kids Around the World

You don’t need to leave your school to take your class on an international field trip. In our new web series, Carmen Sandiego spotlights six real kids who are creating positive change in their communities.

Shaped Staff

Wf926906 Shaped 2019 Blog Posts September Science Recipes 3 190916 180936 4C284B73B1B0834026B992B9Ac93D6Bd

Science Activities for the Classroom: Fun Recipes for Solutions and Materials

Teach students about chemical reactions, the properties of matter, and other science topics by having them participate in fun, collaborative hands-on activities.

Shaped Staff

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With These Books

These books with roots in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean reflect the full spectrum of Hispanic life in America.

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

Prime Numbers, Trapdoors, and Cracking Codes: A Math Puzzle—Part 2

Prime Numbers, Trapdoors, and Cracking Codes: A Math Puzzle—Part 2

Have your students try their hand at basic RSA enciphering with these downloadable math activities.

Ally Zmijeski
Associate Learning Architect, Math

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Back to School Does Not Have to Mean Back to 'I Don’t Get It!'

A language teacher shares three free back-to-school activities to re-engage students in language learning.

Liz Rigg
Shaped Contributor

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Back-to-School Night 101: Insights for Teachers

Ease the anxiety surrounding parent-teacher communication on Back-to-School Night with five of the best tips from veteran teachers.

Ann Pearson
Shaped Contributor

Ancient Greece Lesson Plan

Teaching World History: Ancient Greece—Worksheets and Activities

Known for its architecture, democratic system of government, and impact on science and the arts, ancient Greece is an important topic often covered in middle and high school social studies.

Shaped Staff

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Back to School, Back to Shaping Students' Lives

With this back-to-school checklist for teachers, a former educator explains why it’s essential to provide a space for student voice and choice.

Noelle Morris
Senior Director Community Engagement, HMH; Host of HMH Learning Moments: Teachers in America Podcast

July Math Patterns Final

4 Math Patterns Activities for Preschoolers

Use these patterns for preschool students to teach your earliest learners about an important mathematical topic.

Shaped Staff

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4 Back-to-School Night Ideas for Teachers

Check out 4 Back-to-School Night ideas for teachers. From business cards to family notes, explore Back-to-School Night activities that are useful and engaging.

Kristen Eannetta
Instructional Coach

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5 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Elementary School

Use these five social-emotional learning activities for elementary school students to work toward building strong relationships. Explore SEL lesson plans for each competency.

Sara Buren
Shaped Contributor

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3 First-Day-Jitters Activities for Back-to-School

Ease the first-day-jitters! Explore three first-day-jitters activities that you can implement in your first grade classroom year after year.

Amanda Rack
First Grade Teacher, Knob Hill Elementary School

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