Shaped

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

 

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The Importance of Building Background Knowledge in Reading

In this blog, we break down the importance of building background knowledge in reading, and provide ways to build and strengthen comprehension.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

Kindergarten reading

Free Reading Activities for Kindergarten

Help your youngest students' build their literacy skills with these free reading activities for kindergarten, complete with videos, teacher guides, and more.

Shaped Staff

Two students reading and taking notes and one student using a tablet

My Top Five Reading Strategies for Secondary Students

Read more about five essential reading strategies for secondary students, including tips to enhance comprehension and help students become active readers.

Jakeima (Jai) Lewis, MEd
Sixth-Grade Teacher, Instructional Coach & Teacher’s Corner Contributor

WF1289060 Shaped 2020 Revamp Grade 3 5 Reading

Free Reading Activities for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

These reading activities for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will help your students with reading practice so they can gain the right literacy skills.

Shaped Staff

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9 National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students: A Celebration of Culture

Use these National Hispanic Heritage Month activities and lesson ideas to honor Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society.

Daniel Poremba
Senior Tier II Specialist, HMH

WF1995913 Shaped 2024 Classcraft blog batch2 15 1

Why Is Writing Important for Students?

Explore how teaching writing and providing writing practice instill skills in students that they can use throughout their academic career and beyond. 

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

Community Building Shout Outs

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

Activityset2

Grades 6–8 ELA Activity Set 2: Summarize an Informational Text and More

Have middle schoolers improve their writing, critical thinking, and reading skills with these activities, which include creating a word cloud and summarizing informational texts.

Shaped Staff

Teachers in a classroom in discussion

What Teachers Really Think about the Science of Reading and the Role of AI in Education

Two major discussions are happening in education right now: science of reading and the use of AI in the classroom. But how do teachers actually feel about them? Learn how educators view these important topics.

Lindsay Dworkin
NWEA SVP of Policy and Government Affairs, HMH

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

Early reading intervention strategies for young learners

Early Reading Intervention Strategies for Young Learners

Learn more about effective early reading intervention strategies designed to support young learners.

Danielle Bouchard
Shaped Contributor

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

Building Background Knowledge in K–6 Literacy

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

Free High School Learning Activities

Free High School Learning Activities

Add a bit of dimension to your classroom routine with our free lesson plan activities for high school students in English language arts, math, science, and social studies.

Shaped Staff

teacher and students in the classroom

Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies for the Literacy Classroom

Explore evidence-based reading comprehension strategies that can promote deeper comprehension among your students.

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

How To Write A Praise Poem

New Wings: Writing Praise Poems in the Classroom

Poet Glenis Redmond says teaching students how to write a praise poem is a great way to dive into metaphors and similes and have them flex their creative muscles.

Glenis Redmond
Poet and Teaching Artist

Ela high school lessons

Free High School English Language Arts Activities

Use these high school English language activities to help your learners discover into their own writing styles and embrace reading.

Shaped Staff

WF1289060 Shaped 2020 Revamp Kindergarten

Free Kindergarten Learning Activities

With these free kindergarten learning activities, videos, and teacher guides, you can build your students' knowledge of reading, math, and science.

Shaped Staff

WF1289060 Shaped 2020 Revamp Grade 3 5

Free 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Learning Activities

We have fun 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade learning activities that span reading, math, and science on a range of topics to help you find the perfect fit for your students.

Shaped Staff