Shaped

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

 

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Students using tech

Exploring the Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in Education

We break down the pros and cons of AI in education to help you harness the advantages of this technology while minimizing the risks.

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Podcast Transforming Education Through Innovation and Student Engagement with Dr. Mary Hemphill

Podcast: Transforming Education Through Innovation and Student Engagement with Dr. Mary Hemphill

Leadership expert, educator, and Center for Model Schools senior fellow Dr. Mary Hemphill shares how to leverage the unique instructional practice of the One-Minute Meeting to engage and empower students as school stakeholders.

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How Reading Intervention Turned an Indifferent Learner into a Passionate Educator

When Tarwo Konbloa came to the United States from a Côte d'Ivoire refugee camp at age 11, he struggled in school. But in time his academics improved through a mix of perseverance, intervention, and dedicated teachers.

Brenda Iasevoli

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A Close Look at the MTSS Umbrella Graphic

We break down the MTSS umbrella graphic and how it provides cover for students to prevent them from falling behind.

Dana Leon

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10 Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Elementary Students

No hand-traced turkeys here! Celebrate the holiday while boosting critical math, reading, and writing skills with these fun Thanksgiving activities for elementary students.

Brenda Iasevoli

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Latest Posts

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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

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Lending a Hand: Classroom Jobs for Students

Learn more about classroom jobs for students and how they benefit everyone in the learning environment.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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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

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Meeting Students’ Needs in My Reading Intervention Classroom

Missouri reading interventionist Angela White shares how she structures her class to meet the academic and social and emotional needs of her students.

Angela White
Elementary Educator

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11 Ideas for Cheap or Free Classroom Rewards and Incentives

Explore 11 ideas for cheap or free classroom rewards and incentives. No matter what your budget looks like, get your students motivated to participate!

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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How to Talk to Kids about School Tragedies

Read more for tips on how to help students cope with tragic or disturbing news—particularly news that involves something so personal to them, safety at school.

HMH Staff

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Goal-Setting and Self-Management for Students in the New Year

Ring in the new year by teaching practical goal-setting and self-management with your students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

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Social and Emotional Learning for Teachers: Beyond Burnout

Social emotional learning for teachers in a time of burnout. Explore ways teachers can empower themselves to create better conditions in the classroom.

Venola Mason
Associate Partner, ICLE and Author, Instructional Excellence, Social and Emotional Learning

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4 World Kindness Day Activities to Teach Tolerance and SEL Skills

Use these SEL World Kindness Day activities and ideas for the International Day for Tolerance to ensure that every day includes a little (or a lot of!) kindness in your school.

Christine Condon
Shaped Editor-in-Chief

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Writing Effective Social–Emotional IEP Goals

Dr. Suzanne Jimenez
Director of Academic Planning and Data Analytics at HMH

Teaching anti bullying in the classroom

Anti-Bullying Resources for Teachers: Removing the Risk of an Emotional Stampede

Help students avoid mistreatment in your classroom and school with these anti-bullying resources for teachers and information from bullying prevention organizations.

Noelle Morris
Senior Director Community Engagement, HMH; Host of HMH Learning Moments: Teachers in America Podcast

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How to Create a Social-Emotional Environment in the Classroom

Creating social-emotional learning environments is a powerful way to foster collaboration, equity, and self-management among students.

Morgan Hugoboom
Shaped Contributor

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Building Strong Teacher-Student Relationships: Teacher Interview

We sat down and chatted with an educator to discuss how to build teacher student relationships and spark student engagement along the way.

Classcraft Staff

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Strategies for Weekly and Daily SEL Check-Ins for Students

With daily and weekly social-emotional check-ins for students, you can foster the development of strong social-emotional learning (SEL) .

Sara Austin
Shaped Contributor

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Classroom Jobs for Elementary Students

Discover why classroom jobs for elementary students are a win-win for teachers and students.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

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Celebrate YOU: Self-Care Tips for the Teachers We Love

A teacher’s self-care is created by reflection, refraction, and dispersion.

Noelle Morris
Senior Director Community Engagement, HMH; Host of HMH Learning Moments: Teachers in America Podcast

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15 SEL Writing and Journal Prompts for Grades 3–12

Introduce your students to the five competencies of SEL with these writing and journal prompts for elementary, middle, and high school.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Social and Emotional Learning in Science: Using Collaboration in the Classroom

Productive discourse lends itself well to building a community where social and emotional learning in science is supported.

Dr. Cary Sneider
NGSS Writing Team Leader, Associate Research Professor at Portland State University

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