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

 

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Learning sciences complex

Why Is Applying Learning Science So Complex for Teachers?

To kick off a blog series focused on debunking learning sciences myths, HMH's VP of Learning Sciences explores the four learning pillars for teachers to maximize student outcomes.

Rachel L. Schechter, PhD
VP Learning Sciences, Learning Sciences and Research Advisory Board Chair

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Celebrate STEM Using Hands-On Experiments and Science Stories

On November 8 (and every day), try these quick, simple and easy STEM Day activities for elementary students—created by the Kitchen Pantry Scientist and author of STEAM project books, Liz Heinecke.

Liz Lee Heinecke
STEAM Author; The Kitchen Pantry Scientist

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14 Fun Wrap-Up Activities for Students

Explore 14 fun wrap-up activities that can enhance student engagement and solidify learning.

Melissa Williams
Shaped Contributor

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Hands-On Science Activities for the Classroom: Let's Make Waves!

Help your students by challenging their misconceptions about waves with these activities that use easy-to-find materials and provide guiding questions and instructions for you.

Shaped Staff

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How to Foster a Creative Learning Environment

Learn how to foster a creative learning environment. Explore 7 ideas for constructing a creative classroom environment.

Mary Dean
Shaped Contributor

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Teaching World History: Early American Civilizations—Activities and Resources

What do all civilizations have in common? Teach students how to answer that question by focusing on early American civilizations with this lesson plan.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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How to Create a Lesson Plan

Learn how to create a lesson plan. Having a lesson plan prepares you for class by providing a clear outline for the day.

Monica Mccutchen
Shaped Contributor

Reading intervention in a digital world

Reading Intervention in a Digital World: Q&A With Elmira City School District

Find teacher insights into how reading intervention has evolved in the past two decades as well as advice to maximize student outcomes, ensure a growth mindset, and more.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Preparing Future Voters and the Influence of Educators

Listen to a podcast on the objectives of civic education, the role of schools in teaching civics, and how to remain non-partisan while creating informed future voters. Featuring Sylvia Acevedo (CEO, Girl Scouts) and Dr. Emma Humphries (Chief Education Officer, iCivics).

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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Feedback Essentials for English Learners During Academic Interactions

It's abundantly clear that second-language learners require informed feedback to enhance their performance and achievement.

Dr. Kate Kinsella
Author, English 3D; Co-Author, Read 180®; Teacher Educator, Researcher; CEO, Dr. Kate Kinsella & Associates

Tinker v des moines lesson plan

Teaching Supreme Court Cases: Tinker v. Des Moines and Freedom of Speech

Use this Tinker v. Des Moines lesson plan to teach your students about the debate surrounding Freedom of Speech in public school settings.

Shaped Staff

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Bullying Prevention Tips from Carmen Sandiego’s Fearless Kids

Use these tips inspired by #racetospeakup founder Devin Moore, and a free SEL lesson plan, to discuss bullying prevention with your students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Childrens books about disabilities being different 1

Children's Books About Disabilities and Being Different

Teach students about dyslexia, autism, and more through reading children's books about being different. Use this list to build the best classroom library—including children's books about disabilities and special needs.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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3 Presidential Election Day Activities for Middle School and High School Students

Fun middle school and high school election day activities can help engage students in politics. Start with these classroom voting activities to teach the election process.

Tim Phillips
Social Science Teacher, Township School District 214, Illinois

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What Is a Comprehensive Assessment in Education?

Comprehensive assessments in education are an integral part of learning that strengthen educators' ability to help students succeed academically.

Mary Dean
Shaped Contributor

Teaching ngss phenomena in the science classroom

Teaching NGSS: Phenomena in the Science Classroom

Using science phenomena can jumpstart instruction by helping students realize the real-world context of the topic to be studied. Start with this NGSS phenomena example.

Michael DiSpezio
Author, ScienceFusion and HMH Science Dimensions Programs

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Back to Vacation: Activities for French Class

This free printable activity engages French language learners in interpretive and presentational modes of communication and activates prior knowledge of vocabulary while introducing them to new words and new places in the French-speaking world.

Kerry Santoro
Shaped Contributor

Message to school leaders rethink motivating teams

A Message to School Leaders: Rethink the Way You Motivate Teams

Explore Jeff Bezos' Amazon.com annual letter to shareholders to learn about ways that school leaders can motivate their teams.

Shaped Staff

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