{"type":"default","seo":{"title":"Our Top 10 Ed Blogs of 2021: The Best of Shaped | HMH","description":"Before we say goodbye to 2021, let’s highlight our most-read and favorite Shaped blogs.","headercode":"","ogtitle":"Our Top 10 Ed Blogs of 2021: The Best of Shaped","ogdescription":"Before we say goodbye to 2021, let’s highlight our most-read and favorite Shaped blogs.","ogimage":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/seo/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-hero.png","seosettings":{"noIndexNoFollow":false,"showGtm":true},"keywords":"","canonical":""},"redirect":[],"entrysettings":{"includeinsearch":true,"showglobalmessaging":true},"globalsettings":{"standardheader":true,"standardfooter":true},"url":"/blog/our-top-10-ed-blogs-of-2021-the-best-of-shaped","id":73688,"title":"Our Top 10 Ed Blogs of 2021: The Best of Shaped","slug":"our-top-10-ed-blogs-of-2021-the-best-of-shaped","bodycontainer":[{"type":"copy","headline":null,"richtext":"
Every year, I’m reminded of how selfless, skilled, and creative teachers are. These efforts do not go unnoticed. If you're a teacher, we hope you’ll have the opportunity to carve out some “me” time during the winter break to allow you to come back refreshed and ready for the new year ahead.
\n
Rest assured, the Shaped\nteam at HMH is continually working to bring you insights, lessons, and downloadables to help you make the most of your classroom time. To wrap up 2021, we’ve curated a list of blogs, a mix of our most-read and our personal favorites. These articles are the education must-reads of the year. We hope you enjoy them while kicking back with a cup of coffee (or your drink of choice) during your much-deserved break. Happy reading, and see you around the blog next year!
","subheadline":null,"alignment":"left"},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"1. How to Boost Students’ Social and Emotional Skills Using Current Events","subheadline":"","richtext":"
Social and emotional learning (SEL) has been top of mind this year. We asked fourth-grade teacher Perry Hollins to share how he leverages SEL to help his students navigate discussions about current events. His secret? He spends time at the beginning of the school year establishing social and emotional learning routines before diving into potentially fraught current events discussions—and that makes all the difference.
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-boost-students-sel-skills-using-current-events.png","height":1875,"width":3333,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to boost students sel skills using current events","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-boost-students-sel-skills-using-current-events.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to boost students sel skills using current events"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-boost-students-sel-skills-using-current-events.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to boost students sel skills using current events"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-boost-students-sel-skills-using-current-events.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to boost students sel skills using current events"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-boost-students-sel-skills-using-current-events.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to boost students sel skills using current events"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/","linkurl":"/","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"2. Nutrition Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students","subheadline":"","richtext":"
Looking to focus on student health and nutrition? We’ve got you covered! Our nutrition activities for elementary and middle school—and an additional post on nutrition for high school—will help students kick-start a commitment to healthy eating. And don’t miss our Math at Work Olympics: Post-Workout Smoothie downloadable activity!
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-national-nutrition-month.jpg","height":900,"width":1600,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 national nutrition month","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-national-nutrition-month.jpg","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 national nutrition month"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-national-nutrition-month.jpg","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 national nutrition month"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-national-nutrition-month.jpg","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 national nutrition month"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-national-nutrition-month.jpg","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 national nutrition month"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/blog/nutrition-activities-elementary-middle-school-students","linkurl":"/blog/nutrition-activities-elementary-middle-school-students","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"3. 12 Summer and Winter Games Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students","subheadline":"","richtext":"
A great way to get students excited about learning is through something they love, which includes highly anticipated sports events. High-profile examples include the Summer and Winter Games. Check out these engaging classroom activities that focus on social studies and English language arts for elementary and middle school students.
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/12-olympics-activities-for-elementary-and-middle-school-students-hero_221115_203523.png","height":900,"width":1600,"title":"12 olympics activities for elementary and middle school students hero","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/12-olympics-activities-for-elementary-and-middle-school-students-hero_221115_203523.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"12 olympics activities for elementary and middle school students hero"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/12-olympics-activities-for-elementary-and-middle-school-students-hero_221115_203523.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"12 olympics activities for elementary and middle school students hero"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/12-olympics-activities-for-elementary-and-middle-school-students-hero_221115_203523.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"12 olympics activities for elementary and middle school students hero"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/12-olympics-activities-for-elementary-and-middle-school-students-hero_221115_203523.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"12 olympics activities for elementary and middle school students hero"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/blog/summer-and-winter-games-activities-for-elementary-middle-school-students","linkurl":"/blog/summer-and-winter-games-activities-for-elementary-middle-school-students","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"4. Podcast: The Future of Happiness and Education with Tal Ben-Shahar","subheadline":"","richtext":"
Educators, parents, and caregivers everywhere want to equip students with the tools they need to build a future for themselves—and to attain the ultimate goal we’re all striving toward: happiness. TED Talks guest and Happier author Tal Ben Shahar joined us on the Shaping the Future podcast to discuss the science of happiness and the role education can play in helping students lead fulfilling lives.
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-podcast-tal-ben-shahar.png","height":1875,"width":3333,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 podcast tal ben shahar","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-podcast-tal-ben-shahar.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 podcast tal ben shahar"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-podcast-tal-ben-shahar.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 podcast tal ben shahar"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-podcast-tal-ben-shahar.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 podcast tal ben shahar"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-podcast-tal-ben-shahar.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 podcast tal ben shahar"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/blog/podcast-the-future-of-happiness-and-education","linkurl":"/blog/podcast-the-future-of-happiness-and-education","linktext":"Listen Now","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"5. Tips for Introducing Notice & Note Signposts in Your Classroom","subheadline":"","richtext":"
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-notice-note-signposts.png","height":900,"width":1600,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 notice note signposts","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-notice-note-signposts.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 notice note signposts"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-notice-note-signposts.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 notice note signposts"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-notice-note-signposts.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 notice note signposts"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-notice-note-signposts.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 notice note signposts"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/blog/notice-and-note-signposts-in-reading","linkurl":"/blog/notice-and-note-signposts-in-reading","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"6. Research-Backed Ways to Close the COVID Learning Gap","subheadline":"","richtext":"
The pandemic has taken its toll on students. We are seeing learning gaps widen and a heightened need for social and emotional learning. In this article, our chief research officer breaks down six ways to close the Covid-19 achievement gap. From leveraging digital tools to deepening family connections, you’ll find ways to improve student outcomes—both academically and socially.
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-combat-learning-loss-reduced.gif","height":450,"width":800,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to combat learning loss reduced","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-combat-learning-loss-reduced.gif","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to combat learning loss reduced"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-combat-learning-loss-reduced.gif","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to combat learning loss reduced"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-combat-learning-loss-reduced.gif","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to combat learning loss reduced"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-how-to-combat-learning-loss-reduced.gif","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 how to combat learning loss reduced"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/","linkurl":"/","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"7. First-Day-of-School Icebreaker Activities","subheadline":"","richtext":"
The importance of building relationships is a theme that we’ve heard about from teachers again and again this year. Anytime you have students meeting classmates for the first time, you’ll want to have these strategies in your back pocket. You can visit our page with icebreakers for all grade levels. Or dive into one of this year's most popular posts with icebreakers for high schoolers; itwill get students warmed up and ready to collaborate!
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-bts-icebreakers-aggregate.png","height":900,"width":1600,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 bts icebreakers aggregate","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-bts-icebreakers-aggregate.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 bts icebreakers aggregate"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-bts-icebreakers-aggregate.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 bts icebreakers aggregate"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-bts-icebreakers-aggregate.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 bts icebreakers aggregate"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-bts-icebreakers-aggregate.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 bts icebreakers aggregate"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/blog/high-school-icebreakers-for-the-first-day-of-school","linkurl":"/blog/high-school-icebreakers-for-the-first-day-of-school","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"8. Teaching x- and y-Axis Graphing","subheadline":"","richtext":"
Math was a hot topic in 2021. Readers flocked to the Shaped blog for teaching tips on everything from order of operations and absolute value to ratios and rational numbers. A particularly popular blog was on teaching x- and y-axis graphing on coordinate grids.
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teaching-x-and-y-axis-graphing-on-coordinate-grids.png","height":1875,"width":3333,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teaching x and y axis graphing on coordinate grids","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teaching-x-and-y-axis-graphing-on-coordinate-grids.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teaching x and y axis graphing on coordinate grids"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teaching-x-and-y-axis-graphing-on-coordinate-grids.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teaching x and y axis graphing on coordinate grids"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teaching-x-and-y-axis-graphing-on-coordinate-grids.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teaching x and y axis graphing on coordinate grids"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teaching-x-and-y-axis-graphing-on-coordinate-grids.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teaching x and y axis graphing on coordinate grids"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/blog/teaching-x-and-y-axis-graph-on-coordinate-grids","linkurl":"/blog/teaching-x-and-y-axis-graph-on-coordinate-grids","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"9. Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work","subheadline":"","richtext":"
Are you teaching middle school students? Do you need new classroom management strategies to get you through the day? We asked two strategy and instructional support officers from the San Diego Unified School District to share tips on how to best meet the needs of the adolescent brain. It’s a must-read for new and seasoned teachers alike!
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-middle-school-classroom-management-strategies.png","height":900,"width":1600,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 middle school classroom management strategies","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-middle-school-classroom-management-strategies.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 middle school classroom management strategies"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-middle-school-classroom-management-strategies.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 middle school classroom management strategies"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-middle-school-classroom-management-strategies.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 middle school classroom management strategies"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-middle-school-classroom-management-strategies.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 middle school classroom management strategies"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/blog/middle-school-classroom-management-strategies","linkurl":"/blog/middle-school-classroom-management-strategies","linktext":"Read More","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"cardgrid","headline":"","subheadline":"","richtext":"","color":"transparent","alignment":"","backgroundshape":"rectangle","cardsperrow":3,"carddisplay":"white","cards":[{"type":"leftrightcard","headline":"10. Podcast: Shaking Up the Kindergarten Curriculum with LaNesha Tabb","subheadline":"","richtext":"
Teachers in America podcast guest LaNesha Tabb teaches kindergarten in Indianapolis. Tabb discusses everything from self-care and finding work-life balance to how she engages the littlest learners in writing and social studies. Listen in or read the transcript.
","stat":null,"icon":null,"media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/blog/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teachers-in-america-lanesha-tabb.jpg","height":1875,"width":3333,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teachers in america lanesha tabb","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teachers-in-america-lanesha-tabb.jpg","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teachers in america lanesha tabb"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teachers-in-america-lanesha-tabb.jpg","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teachers in america lanesha tabb"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teachers-in-america-lanesha-tabb.jpg","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teachers in america lanesha tabb"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/blog/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-teachers-in-america-lanesha-tabb.jpg","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 teachers in america lanesha tabb"}},"mediasize":"large"},"alignment":"left","color":"transparent","cardcolumnspan":1,"cardmediasize":"half","cta":[{"linktype":"forward-arrow","url":"/","linkurl":"/","linktext":"Listen Now","opennewwindow":false,"className":["button","link","arrow","right"],"index":0}]}]},{"type":"copy","headline":null,"richtext":"
***
\n
Subscribe to Shaped to receive monthly education news updates linking you to our top blog features.
\n
Olympic® is a registered trademark of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
","subheadline":null,"alignment":"left"}],"postDate":"2021-12-14T08:30:00-05:00","postUpdatedDate":"2025-01-03T14:05:57-05:00","section":"blog","duration":"1","media":{"type":"image","caption":null,"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/seo/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-hero.png","height":900,"width":1600,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 hero","alignment":"not-set","asLightbox":false,"style":"not-set","transforms":{"large":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/seo/_large/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-hero.png","height":540,"width":960,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 hero"},"medium":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/seo/_medium/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-hero.png","height":360,"width":640,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 hero"},"small":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/seo/_small/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-hero.png","height":180,"width":320,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 hero"},"xlarge":{"image":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/int-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public/_transforms/seo/_xlarge/most-read-shaped-blogs-of-2021-hero.png","height":720,"width":1280,"title":"Most read shaped blogs of 2021 hero"}},"mediasize":"large","isHero":true},"textLabel":"
Download our free activities calendar for fun lessons to do with your class, plus engaging ways to commemorate and celebrate events throughout the year.
Download our free activities calendar for fun lessons to do with your class, plus engaging ways to commemorate and celebrate events throughout the year.
Get our free administrator’s guide to building a positive school culture, filled with practical advice, real-world examples, and resources for further exploration.
Download our free activities calendar for fun lessons to do with your class, plus engaging ways to commemorate and celebrate events throughout the year.
Get our free administrator’s guide to building a positive school culture, filled with practical advice, real-world examples, and resources for further exploration.
Every year, I’m reminded of how selfless, skilled, and creative teachers are. These efforts do not go unnoticed. If you're a teacher, we hope you’ll have the opportunity to carve out some “me” time during the winter break to allow you to come back refreshed and ready for the new year ahead.
Rest assured, the Shaped
team at HMH is continually working to bring you insights, lessons, and downloadables to help you make the most of your classroom time. To wrap up 2021, we’ve curated a list of blogs, a mix of our most-read and our personal favorites. These articles are the education must-reads of the year. We hope you enjoy them while kicking back with a cup of coffee (or your drink of choice) during your much-deserved break. Happy reading, and see you around the blog next year!
1. How to Boost Students’ Social and Emotional Skills Using Current Events
Social and emotional learning (SEL) has been top of mind this year. We asked fourth-grade teacher Perry Hollins to share how he leverages SEL to help his students navigate discussions about current events. His secret? He spends time at the beginning of the school year establishing social and emotional learning routines before diving into potentially fraught current events discussions—and that makes all the difference.
2. Nutrition Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students
Looking to focus on student health and nutrition? We’ve got you covered! Our nutrition activities for elementary and middle school—and an additional post on nutrition for high school—will help students kick-start a commitment to healthy eating. And don’t miss our Math at Work Olympics: Post-Workout Smoothie downloadable activity!
3. 12 Summer and Winter Games Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students
A great way to get students excited about learning is through something they love, which includes highly anticipated sports events. High-profile examples include the Summer and Winter Games. Check out these engaging classroom activities that focus on social studies and English language arts for elementary and middle school students.
4. Podcast: The Future of Happiness and Education with Tal Ben-Shahar
Educators, parents, and caregivers everywhere want to equip students with the tools they need to build a future for themselves—and to attain the ultimate goal we’re all striving toward: happiness. TED Talks guest and Happier author Tal Ben Shahar joined us on the Shaping the Future podcast to discuss the science of happiness and the role education can play in helping students lead fulfilling lives.
6. Research-Backed Ways to Close the COVID Learning Gap
The pandemic has taken its toll on students. We are seeing learning gaps widen and a heightened need for social and emotional learning. In this article, our chief research officer breaks down six ways to close the Covid-19 achievement gap. From leveraging digital tools to deepening family connections, you’ll find ways to improve student outcomes—both academically and socially.
The importance of building relationships is a theme that we’ve heard about from teachers again and again this year. Anytime you have students meeting classmates for the first time, you’ll want to have these strategies in your back pocket. You can visit our page with icebreakers for all grade levels. Or dive into one of this year's most popular posts with icebreakers for high schoolers; itwill get students warmed up and ready to collaborate!
Math was a hot topic in 2021. Readers flocked to the Shaped blog for teaching tips on everything from order of operations and absolute value to ratios and rational numbers. A particularly popular blog was on teaching x- and y-axis graphing on coordinate grids.
9. Middle School Classroom Management Strategies That Work
Are you teaching middle school students? Do you need new classroom management strategies to get you through the day? We asked two strategy and instructional support officers from the San Diego Unified School District to share tips on how to best meet the needs of the adolescent brain. It’s a must-read for new and seasoned teachers alike!
10. Podcast: Shaking Up the Kindergarten Curriculum with LaNesha Tabb
Teachers in America podcast guest LaNesha Tabb teaches kindergarten in Indianapolis. Tabb discusses everything from self-care and finding work-life balance to how she engages the littlest learners in writing and social studies. Listen in or read the transcript.
