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Shaped

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

 

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How to Integrate Writing Across the Curriculum in Your Classroom

Whether you’re teaching math, science, social studies, or ELA, writing can be a great way to assess students’ learning and deepen their thinking on a subject. Here's how to incorporate writing across the curriculum in your classroom.

Dr. Troy Hicks
Professor of English and Education, Central Michigan University

Student reads and discusses content in a knowledge-building lesson

What is Knowledge Building in the Classroom? A Guide for Educators

Discover how knowledge building in the classroom supports reading comprehension, and learn practical ways to incorporate the approach into your instruction.

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Elementary student reading a book during phonemic awareness reading practice

Research-Based Phonemic Awareness Interventions

Discover why research-based phonemic awareness interventions matter—and get strategies, sample intervention plans, and activities for K–12 students.

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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How K-12 Administrators Can Run a 10-Minute ELA Audit

Use this 10-minute ELA curriculum audit to quickly scan your school’s full ELA system for research-aligned literacy indicators, identify gaps, and plan next steps

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Two young students reading books together during literacy instruction

3 Principles of Structured Literacy

Explore the 3 principles of structured literacy and how explicit, systematic, and data-driven instruction support reading development through the science of reading.

Dr. Nathan Clemens
Professor and Department Chair, Department of Special Education, University of Texas, Austin

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Math and Writing

Math and writing are compared as instructional practices, with ideas and activities for incorporating writing in math class

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

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How Oral Communication Skills Set Students Apart in an AI World

What skills can we give students that AI can’t replace? Explore how oral communication skills are one way students can set themselves apart in an AI world.

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

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National Poetry Month Activities for Middle and High School Classrooms

From nursery rhymes to absurdist poetry to rap, these activities will help your middle or high school class celebrate National Poetry Month this April.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Teacher with students in middle school classroom

How Teachers Use Writable with Into Reading and Into Literature 

Discover how Writable enhances core ELA programs with AI‑supported feedback and schoolwide writing data that helps leaders monitor progress and drive instructional improvement.

Jessica Altounian
Senior Marketing Manager, HMH Labs

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How to Improve Reading Comprehension for Students

Learn research-based strategies for how to improve reading comprehension for students, including step-by-step guides, activities, and assessment.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Teacher guiding a student through reading during a dyslexia intervention session

Evidence-Based Dyslexia Intervention Strategies to Support Striving Readers

Empower your instruction with research‑backed dyslexia strategies that help you support striving readers with confidence and clarity.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Reading intervention teacher using Read 180

Read 180: Frequently Asked Questions

Read 180 is an intervention reading program notably known for helping Grades 3–12 students gain one or more years of average growth in one year. Discover the answers to Read 180 frequently asked questions to learn more about this solution.

Cathy Ferrara
VP Product Management & Strategy, HMH

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Whole Texts vs. Excerpts: Finding the Balance

A look at why strong ELA instruction includes both whole books and well‑chosen excerpts—helping students build deep comprehension, background knowledge, and a love of reading.

Jennifer Hitt
VP, Product Management

Student develops phonological awareness skills during a literacy lesson

How to Teach Phonological Awareness Skills

Explore how to teach phonological awareness skills through clear instruction and hands-on activities.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

Teacher leads classroom discussion using structured literacy practices

6 Components of Structured Literacy: What Every Teacher Should Know

Discover the six essential components of Structured Literacy and why they matter for every classroom.

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH

Student reads to support reading growth and literacy

Inside a Rural West Virginia District’s Journey to Reading Growth

Discover how Morgan County School District in rural West Virginia boosted reading proficiency through Read 180® and MAP® Growth™. Learn actionable strategies for early intervention, data-driven instruction, and fostering student confidence

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Educators discuss strategies behind Dorchester School District Two success

Opening Doors in Dorchester 2: A Districtwide Reading Success Story

Dorchester School District Two in South Carolina uses MTSS along with Read 180 to ensure all students find success in reading.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Addressing the Middle School Reading Crisis

Discover four research-based strategies that help middle school students tackle complex texts with confidence.

Miah Daughtery, EdD
NWEA VP, Content Advocacy-Literacy, HMH