Shaped

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

 

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Charlemagne Middle Ages Activities

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

Shaped Staff

Hero Update Halloween Math

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

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

WF2163400 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Free Graphic Organizers for Reading Comprehension Update Hero

Try these free graphic organizers for reading comprehension for all grade levels to help students visually organize their thoughts about literature.

Shaped Staff

Hard to reach students 104b71eb860de3cd4fcc287f64c7c979 v2

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

Integrated curriculum no subject is an island hero

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

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

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

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

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

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

WF1333496 Hero

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

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

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

3 5 Science conservation hero 190e150fde80893345e887107b8c65d7

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

Shaped Staff

Grades 6 8 Science Activities Conservation Hero

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

Shaped Staff

Teaching students how to write a persuasive paragraph hero

Teaching kids how to write a persuasive paragraph consisting of their opinion and supporting sentences puts them on the right track to being an effective communicator.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Tips for remote learning without internet access hero

Every school year brings technological challenges, but remote learning without internet is an entirely new type of challenge. Yet students still need teaching. There are students who do not have reliable—if any!—internet access.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor