Shaped

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

Latest Posts

How Does Technology Affect Education?

How does technology affect education? Explore 4 ways instructional technology can make a difference in learning outcomes.

Debi Christensen
Shaped Contributor

Halloween Books2

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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Announcing Shaping the Future Podcast: An Irresistible Chance to Learn

Dr. David Dockterman—lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education—shares his excitement to host our new podcast series, Shaping the Future.

Dr. David Dockterman
Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Collaborative Learning Strategies And Techniques

Grow Beyond Group Work: Collaborative Learning Strategies and Techniques

Use these collaborative learning techniques to teach social and emotional skills during the school day and help students build strong relationships.

Jessica McKeown, PhD
HMH Senior Learning Scientist, Math and Science

Teacher working one on one with student and tablet

8 Brain-Based Learning Strategies

Explore 8 brain-based learning strategies. Engaging the brain through brain-based learning allows students to experience learning in exciting ways.

Melissa Williams
Shaped Contributor

Getting Students To Think Like Scientists

Getting Your Students to Think Like Scientists: 3 Downloadable Posters

Download Think Like a Scientist posters for your classroom. Getting students comfortable thinking like scientists is no small feat, but it's the best way to teach science.

Shaped Staff

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10 Motivational Activities Before Starting a Lesson

Explore 10 motivational activities before starting a lesson. Motivational activities for students are a great way to break the ice at the beginning of class.

Mary Dean
Shaped Contributor

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The Value of Professional Communities for Teachers: Reflecting on Model Schools

Attending conferences can be an invaluable resource in a teacher's toolkit, presenting new opportunities to build relationships and expand a professional learning network.

Erika Gilbert
Math AIS Teacher, Gillette Road Middle School

Cynthia Ciesla
5th and 6th Grade AIS Reading and Math Teacher, Gillette Road Middle School

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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

Shapes Patterns Arrangements

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

Charlemagne Middle Ages Activities

Teaching World History: The Early Middle Ages—Worksheets and Activities

Use these downloadable resources to teach students about Charlemagne and the Early Middle Ages.

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

The Benefits of Students Spending More Time with Family

Learn about the benefits of students spending time with family and how to use technology to connect.

Marie Swan
Shaped Contributor

Students with microscope

What is 'Looping' In Education?: A Teacher’s Perspective

A middle school science teacher on the benefits of looping with his students and building a family in the classroom.

Tracy Childers
Middle School Science Teacher, Foothills Community School

Drug Test In High School Athletics

Teaching Supreme Court Cases: Drug Testing in High School Athletics

Use this resource to teach a Supreme Court case surrounding drug testing in K–12 schools and the Fourth Amendment.

Shaped Staff

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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

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