Shaped

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

 

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WF1705367 Shaped 2023 Blog Post What is Orthographic Mapping in Reading hero

What Is Orthographic Mapping in Reading and Why Is It Important?

Learn about orthographic mapping, the cognitive process that we use to store and retrieve words by connecting their pronunciation, spelling, and meaning automatically.

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

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Graphic Organizers for ELL Students

Find a collection of graphic organizer to help ELL students build vocabulary, compare and contrast, and activate prior knowledge.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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How to Promote Kindness in Our Kids

Former teacher and current HMH Chief Academic Officer Francie Alexander offers educators some tips on how to create a kindness movement in their classrooms and communities.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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Speaking (Not Public Speaking!) Activities for Middle and High School Students

Try these public speaking activities for middle and high school students to improve their speaking skills.

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

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2025 Groundhog Day Activities for Elementary Students

Try these fun 2025 Groundhog Day activities for elementary students in your classroom.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Writing Strategies for ELL Students

Support your ELL students with writing strategies to build confident and capable writers.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

The Science in Science Fiction A Strategy for Integrating Science and ELA HERO

The Science in Science Fiction: A Strategy for Integrating Sci-Fi in the Classroom

Teaching sci-fi in the classroom can help students understand the importance of science in their daily lives.

Ann Pearson
Shaped Contributor

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Science of Reading: Sound Walls in the Classroom

Based in the science of reading, sound walls in the classroom help educators reinforce the importance of explicitly teaching the skills of letter-sound correspondence.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

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8 Tips for Teaching Middle School Writing

Teaching middle school writing can help students learn the value of their words.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

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Phonological Awareness and Phonics Strategies to Support Developing Readers

Try these phonological awareness strategies and phonics strategies in the classroom to help support developing readers

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

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8 Fall Activities & Lesson Plans for Elementary Students

Try these fall activities for elementary students in your classroom that put a twist on common fall themes.

Shaped Staff

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2025 International Literacy Day Activities for All Ages

Get students reading, writing, and learning more about the importance of literacy with these 2025 International Literacy Day activities.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Being Bold and Wishing for Change with Kyle Schwartz in Denver, CO for Teachers in America

Teacher and author of "I Wish My Teacher Knew", Kyle Schwartz, discusses how she helps students feel empowered to make a difference.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

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How to Integrate Writing Across the Curriculum in Your Classroom

Whether you’re teaching math, science, social studies, or ELA, writing can be a great way to assess students’ learning and deepen their thinking on a subject. Here's how to incorporate writing across the curriculum in your classroom.

Dr. Troy Hicks
Professor of English and Education, Central Michigan University

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9 Back-to-School Getting-to-Know-You Activities for Students

Try these back-to-school getting-to-know-you activities to help students discover more about their classmates on the first day of class.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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5 Recommended Science of Reading Books That Will Cover What You Need to Know

Get book recommendations to learn more about the science of reading and see how children learn to read and develop as strategic readers.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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11 Hanukkah Classroom Games and Activities for Elementary Students

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these Hanukkah classroom games and activities for elementary students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Writing Feedback for Students

Writing Feedback for Students

Save time with these effective feedback strategies for improving student writing.

Owen Bondono
Shaped Contributor