Shaped

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

 

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Latest Posts

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What Is Data-Driven Decision-Making in Education? A Closer Look

What is data-driven decision-making in education, and why is it so important? Learn how using data to drive instruction within the classroom is the most effective way to increase student achievement and growth.

Ashley Cruz
NWEA Consultant, State Professional Learning & Improvement Services, HMH

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2024 Back-to-School Articles for Educators

Bookmark this page featuring our 2024 back-to-school articles for educators. It’s filled with the resources you need to start the school year off strong, from prepping for the first day, to classroom management strategies, and more.

Shaped Staff

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9 Common Formative Assessment Examples and Ideas

Read more about common formative assessment examples and ideas, both informal and formal assessment methods, and how to implement them in the classroom.

Dr. Michael J. Bolz
Principal Learning Experience Designer, HMH

WF2026787 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Monthly Calendar Themes Update

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

WF2013900 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Guide to Creating Student Podcasts Hero

How to Start a Student Podcast: A Quick Guide

A quick guide for how to start a student podcast, with tips and tricks for teachers for the whole recording process

Erik Palmer
Program Consultant, Into Reading and Into Literature

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First-Day-of-School Checklist for Teachers

Our first-day-of-school checklist for teachers will help get the new school year off to a great start.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

WF1982984 Building Background Knowledge in K 6 Literacy Hero

Strategies for Building Background Knowledge in Reading, Grades K–6

Learn more about and get strategies for building background knowledge in reading.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

HMH Staff

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What Is Adaptive Learning Technology?

Find out the answer to the question, “What is adaptive learning technology?” Plus, discover ways you can use adaptive learning programs in the classroom.

Aoife Dempsey
Senior Vice President Product Management, HMH

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Types of Classroom Interventions

Learn to address students' unique academic and behavioral needs with different types of classroom interventions.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1792536 Shaped 2024 Blog Post What Is a Benchmark Assessment Hero

What Is Benchmark Assessment?

Benchmark assessments are a key tool to bridge the information gap between what’s going on in the short term within the classroom and end-of-year expectations.

Adam Withycombe
NWEA principal content designer, HMH

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Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies for the Literacy Classroom

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

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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

WF2002500 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Why is Phonological Awareness Important for Reading Hero

Why Is Phonological Awareness Important for Reading Development?

Phonological awareness skills are important foundational knowledge for the effective development of letter-sound relationships. Learn more about how it can help students with reading development.

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

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5 Free Online Noise Meters for the Classroom

Discover 5 free online noise meters for the classroom that are perfect for classroom noise management and fostering focused learning environments.

Stephanie Carmichael
Shaped Contributor

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Podcast: Building Vocabulary to Increase Reading Comprehension with Abbey Behnke in WI on Teachers in America

HMH Teacher Ambassador Abbey Behnke shares instructional strategies and activities to engage students in vocabulary learning. Plus, she discusses how vocabulary is a catalyst for building reading comprehension skills.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1953363 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Scaffolding Writing Instruction Hero

Scaffolding Writing Instruction

Learn more about scaffolding writing instruction, a process that provides the support that students need to grow as writers.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Superintendent of the Year Joe Gothard

Lessons from the National Superintendent of the Year

Superintendent of the Year Joe Gothard talked with HMH about the achievement he's most proud of, the lessons he has learned from the implementation of new reading and math programs in Saint Paul, and his advice for fellow school leaders.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Belonging School Kentwood

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

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