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 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

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How to align instruction with the science of reading

Meeting the AI Moment in Education—and How We Get It Right

AI is reshaping education—discover how to harness its potential and ensure we get it right for learners everywhere.

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Mathematical Rigor and High-Quality Instructional Materials

Mathematical rigor in general and within high-quality instructional materials is defined and explained

Richard Blankman

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Scaffolding Reading Instruction: Supporting All Readers with Grade-Level Text

Learn more about scaffolding reading instruction and strategies to implement before, during, and after reading to help students engage with challenging texts.

Dr. Jennifer Throndsen

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Rethinking MTSS for Multilingual Learners

The MTSS framework is just one piece of the full picture in supporting multilingual learners. Discover how asset-based approaches and intentional language scaffolding create stronger systems of support that help multilingual learners thrive.

Stephanie Nash

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Latest Posts

Middle School Classroom Management

12 Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work

Create a healthy and happy learning environment with middle school classroom management strategies that are rooted in brain science.

Dr. Adriana Chavarín-López
Strategy and Instructional Support Officer, San Diego Unified School District

Dr. Michael Vea
Strategy and Instructional Support Officer, San Diego Unified School District

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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35 Back-to-School Writing Prompts for Middle and High School

School's back in session, which means it's time for a fresh batch of writing prompts for the new year. Have your high school or middle school students try these back-to-school prompts this fall.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Female student smiling in elementary classroom

10 Math Icebreakers: Games and Activities for All Grades

These math icebreakers are games and activities that span all grades to help math teachers get students practicing math while getting to know one another.

Shaped Staff

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2026–2027 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

Summer learning activities for elementary and middle school students

17 Fun Summer School Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

As the school year ends, keep kids engaged with these fun summer school activities for elementary and middle school students.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

WF2683300 Shaped 2026 Blog Post Declaration of Independence Activity and Lesson Plan Ideas HERO

10 Fun Declaration of Independence Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas 

Try these 10 Declaration of Independence activity and lesson plan ideas to explore key ideas and the historical significance of this foundational historical document.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

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Math Articles and Resources for Teachers and Educators

Explore math articles and resources for teachers and other educators looking for support teaching K-12 mathematics

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Earth Day Classroom Activities

8 Fun Earth Day Activities for Middle & High School Students

Honor the planet in your classroom with these fun Earth Day activities for middle school and high school students.

Danni Green
Writer, Girls Write Now

Alexa Dowlen
Learning Experience Design, K–12 Science

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What Are Tiered Assignments in Education?

What are tiered assignments in education? Learn how this differentiated instruction strategy meets students at every readiness level.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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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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Financial Literacy Lesson Plans and Activities for Middle School Students

Use these financial literacy lesson plans and activities for middle school to teach students about topics ranging from salaries to wages to creating a personal budget.

Shaped Staff

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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

Fun Black History Month Activities For Kids 2

13 Fun Black History Month Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Download these fun Black History Month activities for elementary and middle school students to teach your class about African American history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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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

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6 Fun Winter Solstice Classroom Activities & Lesson Plans

Discover fun winter solstice classroom activities that celebrate the shortest day of the year.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

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8 Fun Writing Activities for Middle School Students

These fun writing activities for middle school students address the critical writing skills students need for high school and beyond.

Stephanie Nash
Product Marketing Director, K–12 ELD and Multilingual Learners

WF2396139 Shaped 2025 Blog Post National STEM STEAM Day Hero

7 2026 National STEM/STEAM Day Activities

Explore 7 National STEM/STEAM Day activities that provide students in all grades the opportunity to develop key skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Math at Work: Meet Industry Experts to Explore Jobs That Involve Math

Explore HMH's Math at Work web series to hear insights from industry experts about jobs that involve math and more.

Shaped Staff

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.