Shaped

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

 

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Math Expressions Gr6 0 Z1 A1658

6 Fun Math Activities for Middle School Students

Explore 6 fun math activities for middle school from HMH's GO Math! program. These middle school math games and projects for grades 6-8 will keep your students engaged.

Shaped Staff

Instructional materials

4 Signs of High-Quality Instructional Materials

Learn why educators nationwide should assess their instructional programs to determine whether they are designed to help students overcome learning loss due to COVID-19.

Dr. Donald Bucolo
Education Research Director, Core STEM

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

WF1348154 Shaped 2021 Blog Post Teaching Product of Prime Factors 2025 Update hero

Teaching Product of Prime Factors

In this lesson, use factor trees to teach students the concept that a composite number is written as a product of all of its prime factors.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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

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

Hero Update Halloween Math

Halloween Math Activities for Middle School and High School Students

Here are fun Halloween math activities for middle school and high school students. Try these activities to celebrate Halloween in your math classroom and ensure that your middle school and high school students can enjoy the holiday while in school.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

The Keys to Vocabulary Word Specific and Generative Instruction thumb

The Keys to Vocabulary: Word-Specific and Generative Instruction

Shane Templeton, HMH Journeys program consultant, shares how efficient and effective vocabulary instruction can inspire a curiosity and appreciation for words.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

Integrated curriculum no subject is an island hero

No Subject Is an Island: Why and How to Implement an Integrated Curriculum

Learn the benefits of an integrated curriculum, along with how instruction can be integrated across subjects and standards.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Girl reading

How to Engage Students in Reading: Try These 5 Strategies

As an educator, you may ask, how can you engage students in reading? Try these five strategies to boost enjoyment and engagement in literacy.

Dr. Kristi James

WF1071225 What to Wear for the 100th Day of School Hero Image

100th Day of School Dress-Up and Costume Ideas

Celebrate 100 days of learning with these 100th Day of School dress-up ideas, costumes, and outfits for teachers and students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

May Memorial Day 5

Flag Day Activities for Elementary Students

Explore flag day activities for elementary students to teach your class about the symbolism behind flags and the various themes they may represent.

Shaped Staff

Nutrition activities elementary and middle school

8 Nutrition Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these nutrition activities for elementary and middle school students to teach them about healthy eating, regular exercise, and self-care.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

WF1262367 Shaped 2020 Blog Post Pros and Cons of Looping hero2

The Benefits and Disadvantages of Looping in Education

Explore the benefits and disadvantages of looping in education, where groups of students up from one grade to the next with the same teacher.

Tracy Childers
Middle School Science Teacher, Foothills Community School

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34 Mother’s Day Writing Prompts

Celebrate moms with these Mother's Day writing prompts for your K–3 classroom. Have students practice descriptive language or get creative with a short story.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

May Memorial Day 7

9 Memorial Day Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these Memorial Day classroom activities for elementary and middle school students to honor those who sacrificed for their country.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

TAW 2021

Virtual Teacher Appreciation Week: How to Celebrate Remotely

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week! We've created 2025 virtual Teacher Appreciation Week ideas just for you. Explore ways administrators, parents, caregivers, and students can show their appreciation for teachers—this week and all year long.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Grades 3–5 Science Activities: Conservation

Explore a variety of scientific learning activities to engage students in environmental conservation.

Shaped Staff

Grades 6 8 Science Activities Conservation Hero

Grades 6–8 Science Activities: Conservation

Explore a variety of scientific learning activities to engage students in environmental conservation.

Shaped Staff