Shaped

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

Latest Posts

Science Labs2

Science Labs in the Classroom: Comparing NGSS vs. Traditional

Rather than adhering to explicit steps during labs, students are now involved in more active learning experiences.

Michael DiSpezio
Author, ScienceFusion and HMH Science Dimensions Programs

Coaching Superpower

Identifying Superpowers: Coaching Teachers to Find Students' Strengths

All students have a superpower. As a teacher, help them discover it, then harness it to their benefit.

Donna Pappas
Regional Consultant, HMH

Bill Daggett Msc2018

The Ripple Effect: Small Changes Can Have a Big Impact on Your District

School transformation can be daunting. But one small action can help pave the way to greater change.

Rinaia2

How Teachers Save Lives: One Educator's Story

"I'm in the business of saving lives." Discover how these words rang true for one teacher, who recalls a memorable moment in her career.

Connie Harmon
VP of Professional Services, HMH

Real Numbers2

Math Trivia: How Well Do You Know Your Real Numbers?

Try your hand with a little math fun and test your students' mathematical literacy.

HMH Mathematics Team

Principal

Why School Principals Should Learn Every Student’s Name

Doing so can build stronger relationships, improve school culture, and ensure meaningful learning.

Anthony Colannino
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Leading & Teaching for Growth, LLC; Author of Leading with Head and Heart

Professional Development

ESSA's Focus on Professional Learning: Its Impact on Administrators

Understand ESSA's revamped definition of a highly effective principal and learn how to maximize ESSA as an administrator.

Sue Gendron
Former President, International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE)

Gavel First Amendment

Teaching the Fourteenth Amendment: The Power of Citizenship

Several U.S. Supreme Court cases you can cover in class relate directly to schools and children. Here are eight examples.

Glenn Greenberg
Shaped Contributor

Cell Phones

A Practical Way to Increase Access to Mobile Technology

You can improve access and the learning experience for students by incorporate donated technology into curriculums.

Eric Sheninger
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Aspire Change EDU; Keynote Speaker; Author

2News Roundup 1 Glass

K-12 Recent News Roundup: October 12, 2018

Stay up to date on the education issues that matter to you.

Julia Roch

Essaprof Learning

How ESSA’s Shift in Focus to Professional Learning Affects Teachers

ESSA provides a revamped definition of the term "professional development" to help teachers maximize K-12 student achievement.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Science Image1

Why Are Science and Engineering Practices Like Modeling Important?

Developing and using models is one of the NGSS' eight science and engineering practices.

Dr. Cary Sneider
NGSS Writing Team Leader, Associate Research Professor at Portland State University

Rocket Scientist Podcast

Podcast: From Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist—Sylvia Acevedo's Story

This conversation features HMH CEO Jack Lynch and Acevedo—rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and CEO of the Girl Scouts.

Caitlin Henault
Senior Communications Associate, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Online Literacy3

Images, Sounds, and Video: Teach Students How to Read Online

For media literacy, educators must teach students to understand how digital elements impact us when reading online.

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

Wes Msccoaching

Coaching and the Future of Blended Professional Learning

Districts should implement coaching for teachers that is relevant and continuous and includes film study.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Learning Science3

What Are the Learning Sciences? And Why Do They Matter?

The learning sciences focus on differentiated instruction that uses data to determine what students know and where their knowledge gaps lie.

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

Kathleen Richards
Former HMH Senior Learning Scientist, ELA and Humanities

Fblive Msc2

Facebook Live Recap: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships

A Nevada school principal expands on the importance of relationships to address the needs of the whole child.

Powerof Shush2

Fostering Participation in the Math Classroom: The Power of 'Shush'

A math teaching expert explains what "shushing" entails and how it encourages students to participate in class.

Dr. Juli K. Dixon
Professor of Mathematics Education; Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Post-Secondary Mathematics Education

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