Shaped

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

 

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Girl reading

How to Engage Students in Reading: Try These 5 Strategies

As an educator, you may ask, how can you engage students in reading? Try these five strategies to boost enjoyment and engagement in literacy.

Dr. Kristi James

WF1071225 What to Wear for the 100th Day of School Hero Image

100th Day of School Dress-Up and Costume Ideas

Celebrate 100 days of learning with these 100th Day of School dress-up ideas, costumes, and outfits for teachers and students.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

May Memorial Day 5

Flag Day Activities for Elementary Students

Explore flag day activities for elementary students to teach your class about the symbolism behind flags and the various themes they may represent.

Shaped Staff

Nutrition activities elementary and middle school

8 Nutrition Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these nutrition activities for elementary and middle school students to teach them about healthy eating, regular exercise, and self-care.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

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The Benefits and Disadvantages of Looping in Education

Explore the benefits and disadvantages of looping in education, where groups of students up from one grade to the next with the same teacher.

Tracy Childers
Middle School Science Teacher, Foothills Community School

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34 Mother’s Day Writing Prompts

Celebrate moms with these Mother's Day writing prompts for your K–3 classroom. Have students practice descriptive language or get creative with a short story.

Ali Habashi
Former Shaped Editor

May Memorial Day 7

9 Memorial Day Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these Memorial Day classroom activities for elementary and middle school students to honor those who sacrificed for their country.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

TAW 2021

Virtual Teacher Appreciation Week: How to Celebrate Remotely

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week! We've created 2025 virtual Teacher Appreciation Week ideas just for you. Explore ways administrators, parents, caregivers, and students can show their appreciation for teachers—this week and all year long.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

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Grades 3–5 Science Activities: Conservation

Explore a variety of scientific learning activities to engage students in environmental conservation.

Shaped Staff

Grades 6 8 Science Activities Conservation Hero

Grades 6–8 Science Activities: Conservation

Explore a variety of scientific learning activities to engage students in environmental conservation.

Shaped Staff

Teaching students how to write a persuasive paragraph hero

Teaching Students How to Write a Persuasive Paragraph

Teaching kids how to write a persuasive paragraph consisting of their opinion and supporting sentences puts them on the right track to being an effective communicator.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Tips for remote learning without internet access hero

Tips for Remote Learning Without Internet Access

Every school year brings technological challenges, but remote learning without internet is an entirely new type of challenge. Yet students still need teaching. There are students who do not have reliable—if any!—internet access.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

100th day posters

100 Days of School: Poster Ideas for Teachers

Use these 100th Day of School poster ideas to celebrate your students’ achievements so far this year. As a project, you can also ask students to create their own!

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Teaching students how to write an expository paragraph hero

Teaching Students How to Write an Expository Paragraph

Want to help your students develop their organizational, analytical, and research skills? Teach them how to write an expository paragraph.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

WF1103253 Shaped 2020 Blog Post Cellphones in Class hero

4 Mistakes Educators Make Trying to Manage Cellphones in Schools

Explore suggestions for what you can do differently to achieve a better result when it comes to managing student use of cellphones in classrooms.

Weston Kieschnick
Associate Partner, ICLE

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Grades 1–2 Science Activities: Conservation

Explore a variety of scientific learning activities to engage students in environmental conservation.

Shaped Staff

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7 Tips for Helping Your Child with Math at Home (When You Hate Math)

Explore tips for parents, caregivers, and educators who are helping children with math at home but don't feel comfortable or competent in the discipline.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Thanksgiving classroom games activities crafts

6 Thanksgiving Classroom Activities, Games, and Crafts

Looking for Thanksgiving ideas for school? Explore 6 Thanksgiving classroom activities, games, and crafts to help you celebrate the holiday.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor