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

 

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Help LGBTQ Students Feel Safe and Welcomed in School

Show support for LGBTQ students and help them feel safe and welcomed in schools with these six strategies for educators.

Jamie Kubiak
(he/him/his); High School Chemistry Teacher, Park East High School, New York

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Standing Together Against Racism: Start With This Reading List

In light of recent events—and as students march with parents and loved ones for social justice—we’ve compiled a list of relevant books to inspire justice and courage.

Shaped Staff

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Forgotten Stories of the Oregon Trail: Lesson Plans and Activities

Students will read stories about people's experiences on the Oregon Trail and work on related activities that will help them build their skills in math, science, ELA, and other subject areas.

Glenn Greenberg
Shaped Contributor

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How This Superintendent Works to Ensure Educational Equity Amid a Crisis

Sharon Johnson-Shirley shares how her Indiana district meets students’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the steps she will take to prepare for future emergencies.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Educational Equity in the Time of COVID 19

Educational Equity in the Time of COVID-19

The switch to remote learning for K-12 schools due to the coronavirus outbreak sheds light on equity and access issues for certain students.

Dr. Tyrone C. Howard
Professor, UCLA; Senior Fellow, The Center for Model Schools; HMH Learning Sciences & Research Advisory Board

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How Do You Screen for Dyslexia in Schools? Follow These 6 Steps

Answer a key question as an educator—how do you screen for dyslexia?—by following six key steps. Testing for dyslexia in schools is important to identify at-risk students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Celebrating the Legacy of Author Margaret Walker and Jubilee

Honor author Margaret Walker and her book Jubilee, which tells the story of American slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction from the point of view of the enslaved people.

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

Black History Month

5 Teaching Tools to Honor Black History Month in the Classroom

These tools can be used throughout the year—but especially during Black History Month—to promote lifelong learning.

Geraldine Stevens
Social Studies Content Expert

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5 Tips for Connecting With Hard-to-Reach Students

If you find yourself pulling away from or avoiding connection with hard-to-reach students, try leaning in instead by following these five steps.

Janice Mace
Senior Counselor, National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland

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Martin Luther King Jr. Discussion Questions: Reflecting on His Legacy

On MLK Day, reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful message of equality and human potential with a list of Martin Luther King discussion questions.

Alex Honeysett
Former Director of Communications, Channel One News

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Mindshift in How We Teach English Learners

Reimagine how you teach ELs by reconfiguring the way you view second-language acquisition and adapting your practices, policies, and resources to reflect it.

Joanna Miral
Shaped Staff

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How This Superintendent Saved a School Through University Partnership

Dr. Shaun Nelms, superintendent of Rochester East Upper and Lower Schools, answers questions about how partnering with the University of Rochester saved his school from closure.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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8 Strategies for Improving Home-School Communication

Discover 8 strategies for enhancing home-school communication to build supportive relationships and foster student success.

Monica Mccutchen
Shaped Contributor

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E3: Equity, Evidence, and Efficacy—Practices for English Learner Success

Dr. Elena Izqueirdo addresses how educators can build equity into their instruction with English learners.

Dr. Elena Izquierdo
Author, Escalate English; Author ¡Arriba la Lectura!; Associate Professor, Dual Language Education / Biliteracy / ELL Education, University of Texas, El Paso

June Leadership Equity

A Conversation on Equity in Education With K–12 Leaders: Creating Change

Educational equity was a core topic of discussion for HMH CEO Jack Lynch and a panel of K-12 thought leaders at the 2019 ASU GSV Summit.

John "Jack" Lynch
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, HMH

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Carmen Sandiego in the Classroom: Cross-Curricular Solutions and Ideas

Middle school teacher Rachel Swartz shares her ideas for including the Carmen Sandiego character into classroom activities.

Rachel Swartz
Sixth Grade Teacher, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (MS/HS 141), Bronx, New York

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How HMH Author Jan Morris Made History With a Memoir About Being Transgender

For Pride Month, let’s look back at Jan Morris, who in 1974 stunned the literary world by publishing the first mainstream memoir about being transgender.

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

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3 Ways Teachers Can Better Support Students With Disabilities

In addition to focusing on how these students learn, be mindful of the space they occupy and need.

Marcela Grillo
Writer, Girls Write Now

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