Shaped

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

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Latest Posts

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

WF1289060 Shaped 2020 Revamp Grade 6 8 Math 85cab6aa25ee358f8b9ee45ba7a4bd78

Free Middle School Learning Activities

Keep students engaged with these fun learning activities for middle school, no matter what subject you teach and whether your students are in person or remote.

Shaped Staff

Free Reading Activities for 1st and 2nd Grade

Free Reading Activities for 1st and 2nd Grade

With these free reading activities for 1st and 2nd grade, you can engage young learners in topics ranging from incredible insects to the great outdoors.

Shaped Staff

Fourth of july poems

Patriotic Poems from HMH Poets for the Fourth of July

Celebrate July 4th with six patriotic poems from HMH poets. Explore a selection of Fourth of July poems to help commemorate America’s Independence Day.

Susan Steinway
Archivist, HMH

WF2005660 Hero Banner

Podcast: Building Vocabulary to Increase Reading Comprehension with Abbey Behnke in WI on Teachers in America

HMH Teacher Ambassador Abbey Behnke shares instructional strategies and activities to engage students in vocabulary learning. Plus, she discusses how vocabulary is a catalyst for building reading comprehension skills.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Strategies for Teaching Elementary Writing hero

8 Research-Based Writing Strategies for Elementary Students 

Provide students with plenty of opportunities to practice writing, incorporate feedback, and revise with these research-backed writing strategies for elementary students.

Katie Risolo Radovich
First-Grade Teacher

WF1880715 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Science of Reading Small Group Reading Instruction Hero

Science of Reading: Small-Group Instruction Strategies

This article shares ideas on how to integrate the science of reading and evidenced-based instructional techniques in small-group reading instruction.

Dr. Martha C. Hougen
National Consultant, Presenter, Researcher, and Author

Dr. Heather Haynes Smith
Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Trinity University

62 Ways to Check for Understanding

62 Check for Understanding Strategies to Use During a Lesson

Explore 62 check for understanding strategies to use during a lesson that enhance student engagement, identify knowledge gaps, and foster effective learning.

Timothy Mugabi
Shaped Contributor

Oral reading fluency two girls tablets

Oral Reading Fluency Assessment: Optimizing Instruction

Providing an oral reading fluency assessment is an important part of not just providing oral reading fluency instruction but measuring growth and ensuring effective instruction.

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

WF1943213 Shaped 2024 Blog Post What Is Academic Vocabulary Hero

What Is Academic Vocabulary?

Learn about what is academic vocabulary and find strategies for effective vocabulary instruction.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF1964639 Hero Banner

Podcast: Partnering with Families to Build Early Literacy Skills with Melissa Hawkins in HI on Teachers in America

Kindergarten teacher Melissa Hawkins joins us from Hawai'i to discuss student engagement, literacy instruction, and connecting with families.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Summer learning activities for elementary and middle school students

15 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

WF1995913 Shaped 2024 Classcraft blog migration images27

Teaching Literacy in All Content Areas

Discover 4 skills students can develop by teaching literacy in all content areas. Literacy is an important for success in all subjects.

Marie Swan
Shaped Contributor

Mothers Day Hero

13 Mother’s Day Celebration Ideas in School

Check out our list of 13 Mother’s Day celebration ideas for school. From primary to middle school, explore fun Mother’s Day classroom activities and projects.

Marcela Grillo
Writer, Girls Write Now

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

HMH Read 180 Frequently Asked Questions Hero

Read 180: Frequently Asked Questions

Read 180 is an intervention reading program notably known for helping Grades 3–12 students gain one or more years of average growth in one year. Discover the answers to Read 180 frequently asked questions to learn more about this solution.

Cathy Ferrara
VP Product Management, Supplemental & Intervention Solutions, HMH

teacher and student reading a book

What Is Phonics in Reading?

Learn more about phonics—the relationship between the sounds of language and the letters that represent those sounds.

Dr. Shane Templeton
Foundation Professor Emeritus, Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno; Into Reading Program Author