Shaped

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

 

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100th Day of School Activities for 2025: 15 Ways to Celebrate in the Classroom

Use these 100th Day of School activities and celebration ideas for teachers to help your students honor how far they have come this school year.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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New Year’s Bulletin Board Ideas for Teachers

Happy New Year! These New Year's bulletin board ideas for teachers are sure to get students thinking about what changes they want to make in school and their personal lives.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Grades 9–12 ELA Activity Set 9: Write an Unnecessary Sequel and More

High schoolers can sharpen their writing skills with activities including a reflective essay on the past school year and a playlist for a book they read.

Shaped Staff

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 3: Identify Figurative Language and More

Have middle schoolers identify figurative language, start a dialectical journal, and respond to daily dinner prompts.

Shaped Staff

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Identifying High-Quality Instructional Materials in Math Education

Identify high-quality instructional materials in math education, learn about the history of math education, and get tips for implementing HQIM in math class

Dr. Matthew R. Larson
Past President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM); Senior Fellow, Math Solutions

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10 Women’s History Month Activities for Elementary Students

These 10 Women’s History Month activities for elementary students showcase women who are making a difference. Find free downloadables and easy ideas.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Build Communities HERO Update

6 Strategies for Building Community in the Classroom

How do you foster a sense of safety and belonging so students can focus their energy on learning? These strategies for building community in the classroom will help.

Perry Hollins
Fourth-Grade Teacher, Evanston/Skokie School District, Illinois

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HMH's Podcasts: Teachers in America and Shaping the Future

Tune in to the Teachers in America and Shaping the Future podcasts by HMH. Hear from teachers changing lives and experienced innovators and industry leaders.

Shaped Staff

New Years Activities HERO

13 Classroom New Year's Activities for Students

Ready for a fresh start in your classroom? Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new with our fun New Year's activities for students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

WF2116107 Shaped 2024 Blog Post English 3 D Case Study

Improving Outcomes for Multilingual Learners: An English 3D Case Study

Discover English 3D’s impact on multilingual students in the Community Consolidated School District 15 in Chicago, Illinois.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Shaped Staff

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Grades 9–12 ELA Activity Set 2: Analyze a Poem and More

Have high schoolers analyze a poem, summarize an informational text, and write effective arguments with this week's downloadables activities.

Shaped Staff

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Small-Group Reading Activities and Lesson Ideas

Planning small-group reading activities and lesson ideas doesn’t have to be complicated; with thoughtful preparation and the right resources, it can be a simple process.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

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7 Kwanzaa Activities for Elementary Students

Joyous Kwanzaa! Discover the principles, symbols, and traditions this holiday has to offer with these Kwanzaa activities and lesson plans for elementary students.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Healthy Habits for a Growth Mindset in Math

Here's a helpful list of healthy habits to enable a growth mindset in math, plus a free downloadable poster for your classroom.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

How do you screen for dyslexia in schools

How Do You Screen for Dyslexia in Schools? Follow These 6 Steps

Answer a key question as an educator—how do you screen for dyslexia?—by following six key steps. Testing for dyslexia in schools is important to identify at-risk students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 10: Create a Story Spine and More

Have middle schoolers create a Story Spine, find inspiration in everyday objects, and write an advice column.

Shaped Staff

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ELL Strategies for Elementary Students 

Address the varying of needs of ELL students in elementary grades and support them on their pathway to English language proficiency with these instructional strategies and resources.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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Does Class Size Matter? The Answer Is Yes.

Does class size matter? Class size research reveals that smaller classrooms allow teachers greater proximity to the students and more opportunity for one-to-one instruction.

Weston Kieschnick
Associate Partner, ICLE