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Richard Blankman

Shaped Executive Editor

 

As a marketing director for HMH, Richard develops content to promote the brand and its products, specializing in mathematics and copywriting. He has 20 years of experience in education, including teaching, product development, product management, and marketing. Previously, he was an instructional designer for HMH and for Scholastic, and before that, a high school math teacher. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and has appeared as a math expert in videos from HMH.

 

 
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Teaching Dividend, Divisor, and Quotient in Division

When teaching students about dividend, divisor, and quotient in division, introduce algorithms that will allow them to divide larger numbers.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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The Benefits of Small-Group Instruction: In No Small Way

The benefits of small-group instruction are described, including its purpose, importance, advantages, and disadvantages.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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How Does Art Help Students Academically?

How does art help students academically? Incorporating art into lessons can ensure students gain a well-rounded education.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Marie Swan
Shaped Contributor

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10 Math Intervention Strategies for Struggling Students

These math intervention strategies for struggling students provide lessons, activities, and ideas to support Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 math students who are two or more years behind grade level.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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9 Summer Math Activities: Preventing Math Summer Slide

Try these 9 summer math activities designed for preventing math summer slide. These are repeatable games and activities appropriate for all children in any grade.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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7 Brain-Based Learning Strategies

Explore 7 brain-based learning strategies. Engaging the brain through brain-based learning allows students to experience learning in exciting ways.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Melissa Williams
Shaped Contributor

Pi Day Activities For High School Students

14 Fun 2026 Pi Day Activities for High School Students

Looking for 2026 Pi Day activities for high school students? Celebrate the limitless joy of pi in your classroom with these Pi Day games and project ideas.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

WF1877983 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Math 180 Research Study

Math Intervention That Works: A Math 180 Case Study

A case study of Math 180 is described and explained as part of the research that HMH conducts to test its intervention products

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Two children in the classroom counting

Magic and Mathematics: A Guess My Number Math Game

In this hands-on “Guess My Number Math Game” activity for students in kindergarten and up, students can thrill and awe their peers with a mathematical magic trick.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Mathematical Discourse in the Classroom: A Prime Time for Discussion

Learn what mathematical discourse in the classroom is, along with how to use math discourse in the classroom.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Math Diagnostic Assessment: What It Is and How to Use It

Math diagnostic assessment is defined, explained, and compared to other types of assessment, such as formative assessment and summative assessment.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

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7 ELL Strategies for Reading Success

Try these 7 ELL strategies for reading success. Help your ELL students to engage with reading and foster a desire to connect with texts.

Rebecca Salinas
Learning Architect, HMH

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Low Floor, High Ceiling Math Tasks

This article provides a definition of low floor, high ceiling math tasks, along with benefits, examples, and strategies for designing them.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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What Is Procedural Fluency in Math?

This article explains what is procedural fluency in math. Common myths are explored, along with how procedural fluency changes across grades.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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What Is Conceptual Understanding in Math?

Many teachers ask, what is conceptual understanding in math? This article explains the difference between conceptual understanding and procedural fluency and how to improve math understanding.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Collecting Data Lesson Plans for 1st and 2nd Grade

Try these collecting data lesson plans for 1st and 2nd grade to introduce students to tally charts and other ways to collect and interpret data.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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The Relationships Between Numbers in Math

Explore the relationship between numbers in math, including multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Lesson on Comparing Fractions: Is 2/3 More Than 1/2?

Find out the solution to "is 2/3 more than 1/2?" along with an investigation into why and when the solution can change.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor