Shaped

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

 

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How Has Technology Changed Education?

Here we take a deep dive into the question, “How has technology changed education?” and uncover tech’s role in opening up new possibilities for teaching and learning.

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Podcast Ed Trends Minisode: Exploring Educators' Views on AI's Role in the Classroom with Andrew Goldman

[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Exploring Educators’ Views on AI’s Role in the Classroom with Andrew Goldman

In this bite-sized episode, host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Andrew Goldman, founder of Writable and EVP of HMH Labs. Together, they dig deeper into HMH’s Educator Confidence Report survey results and share what educators really think about AI use in schools.

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Our 10th Annual Educator Confidence Report: Reflecting on the Past Decade, Paving a Path Forward

Learn about how educators are embracing technology in our 10th annual Educator Confidence Report and how they feel about the current state of education.

John "Jack" Lynch

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Initiate Lasting Change: How to Build a Data-Driven Culture in Schools

In order to build a data-driven culture in schools, it's crucial to integrate data into everyday decision-making as well as provide professional development. Here are best practices to ensure you succeed.

Amber Silverman

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Fun Winter Classroom Activities

10 Fun Winter Classroom Activities & Lesson Plans

Find fun winter classroom activities and lesson plans to welcome the winter season.

Christen Spehr

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Latest Posts

Accelerated Learning HERO

Accelerated Learning Techniques for the Classroom

Need to catch kids up or move them forward? Try these research-backed accelerated learning techniques.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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5 Tips for Connecting With Hard-to-Reach Students

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

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Virtual Rewards for Students in the Online Classroom

Looking for ideas for virtual rewards for students in the online classroom? Try these incentives to ensure students have fun in the online classroom. These ideas offer ways to reward individual students or entire classes.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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2025 National School Counseling Week Ideas: How to Show Appreciation

When is National School Counseling Week in 2025? Explore counselor appreciation week ideas for your school to help celebrate.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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All About Me Activities: Celebrate What Makes You ‘Different’

Explore “All About Me”​ activities for elementary and middle school students. Help your students to celebrate what makes them different.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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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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

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7 SEL Activities for High School Students

These seven SEL activities for high school students are based on CASEL's core SEL competencies. Help your students become independent and meaningful contributors to society

Sara Buren
Shaped Contributor

Classcraft Staff

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Social and Emotional Learning Activities and Lesson Plans

Teach students the skills needed for success in and out of the classroom with these social and emotional activities and SEL lesson plans.

Shaped Staff

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11 Classroom Community-Building Activities for Elementary Students

Ready to help your kiddos develop meaningful relationships and connect with their classmates? Try these classroom community-building activities for elementary students.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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23 Fun SEL Activities for Middle School

Embrace SEL in the classroom with these SEL activities for middle school that address CASEL’s five core competencies.

Sara Buren
Shaped Contributor

Kimber Pierich
Shaped Contributor

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Lending a Hand: Classroom Jobs for Students

Learn more about classroom jobs for students and how they benefit everyone in the learning environment.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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5 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Elementary School

Use these five social-emotional learning activities for elementary school students to work toward building strong relationships. Explore SEL lesson plans for each competency.

Sara Buren
Shaped Contributor

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How to Become a Social Emotional Learning Specialist

Learn how to become a social emotional learning specialist. Discover the job responsibilities and requirements for becoming an SEL specialist.

Sara Austin
Shaped Contributor

Morgan Hugoboom
Shaped Contributor

Ryan Crawley
Shaped Contributor

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How to Create an Effective SEL Professional Development Training for Teachers and Staff

Discover how SEL professional development training can provide the foundational knowledge and initial tools needed to implement SEL in schools.

Morgan Hugoboom
Shaped Contributor

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Podcast: Helping Students Heal Through Writing with Briana Morales in IL on Teachers in America

2024 Illinois State Teach of the Year Briana Morales shares how she uses healing-centered engagement and storytelling to empower her students. Plus she shares writing activities to engage students in identity work and how to start a classroom dignity closet to help students in need.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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15 Social-Emotional Learning Activities to Empower Students: Teacher’s Guide

SEL activities are designed to help students develop key life skills such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Kimber Pierich
Shaped Contributor

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5 Free Kindness Activities for the Classroom

Celebrate World Kindness Day with 5 free kindness activities for the classroom. Encourage empathy, inclusion and acceptance.

Corrinna Pole
Shaped Contributor

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