Shaped

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

 

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Featured Posts

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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: Education Predictions for 2025 with Shawn Young

[Podcast] Ed Trends Minisode: Education Predictions for 2025 with Shawn Young 

What will be trending in education in 2025? Host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Classcraft cofounder and HMH’s SVP of product management and strategy Shawn Young to discuss 2025 education predictions. 

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8 Fun Spring Activities for Elementary Students

Happy spring! Try these 8 spring activities for elementary students for ideas to celebrate the season!

Alicia Ivory

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9 Earth Day Activities and Games for Elementary Students

Honor our home planet with these 9 Earth Day activities and games for elementary students.

Alicia Ivory

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How One District Uses Data to Drive Student Success

Learn about how Blue Springs School District in Missouri recognized the urgent need to address learning gaps and reduce the burden of catch-up while providing support and actionable data to inform teaching and better meet students' needs.

Onalee Smith

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Latest Posts

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The Impact of AI On One School District: A Conversation with Dr. Kecia Ray and Jerry Almendarez

Edtech expert, Dr. Kecia Ray, recently sat down with Jerry Almendarez, the superintendent of Santa Ana Unified School District in California, to discuss embracing AI with the help of teachers and stakeholders.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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2024–2025 Monthly Calendar Themes for School

Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

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11 Women’s History Month Books for Elementary Students

Use these Women’s History Month books for elementary students and activities to teach about women’s contributions to history.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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How One District Uses Data to Drive Student Success

Learn about how Blue Springs School District in Missouri recognized the urgent need to address learning gaps and reduce the burden of catch-up while providing support and actionable data to inform teaching and better meet students' needs.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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A Quick Guide to AI Literacy Day for K-12 Educators

AI Literacy Day is an initiative designed to introduce students to AI concepts, encourage ethical discussions, and inspire critical thinking about the role of AI in society. It provides educators with tools and resources to help students explore AI in a meaningful way and promotes an understanding of AI beyond just coding, emphasizing real-world applications and responsible use.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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The Phonological Awareness Umbrella: Building Blocks of Early Reading Success

This blog explores the “phonological awareness umbrella” metaphor in depth, delving into the skills it encompasses and actionable strategies for classroom instruction.

Dr. Anne Cunningham
Professor, University of California, Berkeley; HMH Author

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Progression of Phonological Awareness Skills

This blog post explores the progression of phonological awareness skills and ways you can support developing readers.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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8 Creative Book Project Ideas to Replace the Traditional Book Report

Try these 8 creative book project ideas to engage your students! Motivate students to read while offering a refreshing break from traditional assignments.

Amanda Clark
Shaped Contributor

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Grades 9–12 ELA Activity Set 7: Memorize and Recite a Poem and More

With these downloadable activities, high schoolers will memorize and recite a poem, take notes as they read a novel, and memorialize a book in memes.

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Women’s History Month Bulletin Board Ideas: Celebrating Herstory

Decorate your classroom using these seven Women’s History Month bulletin board ideas to teach students about the achievements of women throughout history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Animals

Give your kids an inside look at the animal world with five days of reading lessons for first and second graders.

Shaped Staff

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School Climate vs. School Culture: The Path to Be a Model School

Learn the difference between school climate and school culture and how both play important roles in shaping a welcoming and supportive learning environment.

Dr. Adam Drummond
Author, Associate Partner; Center for Model Schools Instructional Leadership

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10 Trends in Education to Watch in 2025 

From AI-generated learning podcasts to the reduction in EdTech sprawl, these are the current trends in education to watch in 2025.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Grades 6–8 Math Activity Set 4: Sweet Success and More

Help students build their skills in working with fractions, decimals, ratios, and percent.

Shaped Staff

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How to Overcome 3 Major Roadblocks to Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Alignment

Explore the common barriers to curricular alignment and actionable steps leaders can implement to foster coherence, collaboration, and long-term success.

Dr. Suzanne Jimenez
Director of Academic Planning and Data Analytics at HMH

Dr. Bonnie Cochran
Director of Academic Planning and Analytics, HMH

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Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 4: Explore Haiku and More

Have your middle schoolers write their own haikus, identify themes in works of literature, and create a character's social media profile.

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What Is Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in Education? Insights for K–12 Educators

Get answers to common questions like "What is social and emotional learning in education?" and "Why is SEL important?"

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Collaborative, Data-Driven Success: How a Virginia School District is Focusing on Student Growth

Discover how Loudoun County Public Schools leveraged data-driven strategies, collaboration, and aligned initiatives to focus on student growth for all learners in this case study.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

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Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

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People’s Choice Podcast Awards

Finalist, 2021 & 2023, Teachers in America

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