Shaped

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

 

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WF1429300 S Dyslexia Awareness Month HERO

National Dyslexia Awareness Month 2025

Honor 2025 National Dyslexia Awareness Month this October by better understanding how learning differences can affect your students' social and emotional learning.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

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Why and How to Prioritize Intervention to Bridge the COVID Learning Gap

What can be done to help those students who have felt the impacts of unfinished learning? Note that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

Brittany Mamphey, M.Ed.
Dean of Students, Mt. Healthy South Elementary School, Ohio

WF1334381 Shaped 2021 Blog Post Howto Combat Learning Loss reduced

6 Research-Backed Ways to Close the COVID Learning Gap

These strategies for closing the COVID Learning Gap can support efforts to improve student outcomes and help address the issue of interrupted schooling.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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HMH Celebrates 15 Student Scholars Who Overcame Obstacles as Learners

The 180 Awards honor students who have shown dramatic improvement in their reading and math skills through our blended learning intervention programs.

Shaped Staff

180 educator award winners

HMH Honors Five Amazing Educators for Making a Difference in Students' Lives

Nominated by their colleagues and peers, these 180 Educator Award winners have shown that through persistence and dedication, you can make a difference in students' lives.

Shaped Staff

Andrea Barnes photo

Collaboration Is Crucial: Words of Wisdom from a Retiring Teacher

Andrea Barnes is retiring after nearly 30 years in the classroom. In this post she shares parting words of wisdom for future teachers, especially the need for collaboration during the current COVID-19 crisis.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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Why Reading Intervention Students Need Daily Writing Opportunities

Daily writing opportunities develop proficient readers and writers, and READ 180 provides chances for students to do just that.

Melanie Eskildsen
Reading Intervention Teacher, Weyauwega Fremont School District, Wisconsin

Get students engaged in reading

How to Get Students Engaged in Reading: 5 Tips for Teachers

Learn from a READ 180 educator how to get students engaged in reading, especially in the intervention classroom. Encouraging reading in the classroom starts with these five steps.

Charmion Mohning
Secondary Reading Coordinator, Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District

Reading intervention in a digital world

Reading Intervention in a Digital World: Q&A With Elmira City School District

Find teacher insights into how reading intervention has evolved in the past two decades as well as advice to maximize student outcomes, ensure a growth mindset, and more.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Podcast: Becoming a Better Learner with Monica Fitzgerald on Teachers in America

On Teachers in America, Monica Fitzgerald, a reading teacher and literacy coordinator, talks about growing up in a military family and as the child of an immigrant—and how she connects her experiences to her teaching practice.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

July System44

Why Our Blended Foundational Reading Program Is Called System 44

Learn the thinking behind the name System 44, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

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How to Empower Reading Intervention Students to Present Oral Arguments

By presenting in front of their class, literacy intervention students can find their voice as they articulate their ideas and build confidence.

Donna Pappas
Regional Consultant, HMH

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A 24-Year Career in Reading Intervention: Q&A With Former Teacher Betty Lewing

Shaped spoke with an educator with more than two decades of experience about her career and timeless reading intervention strategies.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Blythe1

Don't Stop Believin' in Literacy: A School's Path to Reading Proficiency

Learn how a lifelong high school educator pulled a struggling Title I elementary school to the heights of glory.

Blythe Carpenter
Principal, Jinks Middle School

Teacher Winners

HMH Honors Five Educators Who Helped Striving Students Succeed

These winners showed that with perseverance and persistence, you can help students overcome personal and academic challenges.

Shaped Staff

TITLE Impact Studies Troup County Asbury Park

Breaking Down Literacy Myths With Facts

Educators know there are misconceptions around K-3 literacy. Here are some facts to help shed light on the truths around student literacy.

Ireen Hossain
Writer, Girls Write Now

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How to Help Striving Readers Succeed: 20 Years of READ 180

HMH's Francie Alexander explores strategies that can be used to improve literacy among English learners, students with disabilities, and others.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Dyslexia Myths Realities and Diagnostic Best Practices thumb v2

Dyslexia: Myths, Realities, and Diagnostic Best Practices

Presenting as a multitude of symptoms that range from poor spelling to comprehension difficulties, dyslexia can be easily overlooked.

Shaped Staff