From setup to support, HMH will ensure your back-to-school season runs smoothly. Let’s go.

Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Latest Posts

Middle school students demonstrate a sense of belonging while collaborating with peers.

A Culture of Belonging Allows Students to Flourish in a Michigan District

See how teachers and curricula work together to create a sense of belonging and academic success in the fourth most diverse district in the nation.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Strategies for Teaching Elementary Writing hero

8 Research-Based Writing Strategies for Elementary Students 

Provide students with plenty of opportunities to practice writing, incorporate feedback, and revise with these research-backed writing strategies for elementary students.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

WF1880715 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Science of Reading Small Group Reading Instruction Hero

Science of Reading: Small-Group Instruction Strategies

This article shares ideas on how to integrate the science of reading and evidenced-based instructional techniques in small-group reading instruction.

Dr. Martha C. Hougen
National Consultant, Presenter, Researcher, and Author

Dr. Heather Haynes Smith
Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Trinity University

WF1987500 Hero Banner

Podcast: Embracing Data and Planning with It Feat. Latonia Grant in GA on Teachers in America

Third grade teacher and HMH Teacher Ambassador Latonia Grant discusses how data has been a valuable tool in her planning and instruction. Plus she shares data-driven planning tips, like how to lead data talks with students and how to collaboratively plan with peers.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Oral reading fluency two girls tablets

Oral Reading Fluency Assessment: Optimizing Instruction

Providing an oral reading fluency assessment is an important part of not just providing oral reading fluency instruction but measuring growth and ensuring effective instruction.

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

Students builds academic vocabulary with teacher support

What Is Academic Vocabulary?

Learn about what is academic vocabulary and find strategies for effective vocabulary instruction.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1964639 Hero Banner

Podcast: Partnering with Families to Build Early Literacy Skills with Melissa Hawkins in HI on Teachers in America

Kindergarten teacher Melissa Hawkins joins us from Hawai'i to discuss student engagement, literacy instruction, and connecting with families.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Student uses a tablet during literacy learning across content areas

Teaching Literacy in All Content Areas

Discover 4 skills students can develop by teaching literacy in all content areas. Literacy is an important for success in all subjects.

Marie Swan
Shaped Contributor

Teacher supports student reading during a phonics lesson

What Is Phonics in Reading?

Learn more about phonics—the relationship between the sounds of language and the letters that represent those sounds.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

Students engaged in reading intervention through shared reading and discussion.

Reading Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers

Explore reading intervention strategies for struggling readers, with practical approaches to help educators address reading challenges and support literacy development.

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

Reading Intervention Elementary Hero

Research-Based Reading Interventions for Elementary Students

Implement these research-based reading interventions for elementary students to put students who have fallen behind back on track.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Students develop writing skills using a digital writing platform

How to Teach Writing to Elementary Students Without Fear

An instructional coach shares tips on how to teach writing to elementary students without the fear that teachers can feel when faced with such a huge undertaking.

Kristen Eannetta
Instructional Coach

teacher watches student work out math problem

A Fresh Approach to Intervention Is Boosting Achievement in a Michigan School District

Hear from educators about a new approach to intervention that’s raising student achievement in the Wayne-Westland Community School District, outside Detroit.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Illustration of printed books alongside a tablet and laptop displaying digital reading materials.

Tips for Integrating Reading Technology in the Classroom

Explore guidelines for integrating reading technology in the classroom in support of literacy learning when working with your tech-savvy students.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author

Smiling student working on a device while a teacher assists

4 Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary

Discover 4 effective strategies for teaching vocabularly. explicit, direct instruction of vocabulary can empower students for long-term academic success.

Emily Hamm
Shaped Contributor

WF1878313 Image 1

Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary to English Language Learners

Find instructional strategies to teach vocabulary to English language learners.

Dana Leon
Shaped Contributor

WF1289060 Shaped 2020 Revamp Grade 6 8 ELA

Free English Language Arts and Reading Activities for Middle School

Try free English language arts activities for Grades 6-8 focusing on haikus, metaphors, figurative language, and more curriculum-rich topics.

Shaped Staff

Hero Banner

Podcast: Reading Intervention Advice from My 35 Years in Education with Jennie Mau in CA on Teachers in America

Reading intervention teacher Jennie Mau reflects on her 35-year career in education and shares her favorite reading instructional strategies and tools that have helped her students thrive.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor