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Jordan Friedman

Former Shaped Editor

As content marketing manager at HMH, Jordan helped manage the Shaped blog, engaging with teachers, administrators, authors, and thought leaders to share relevant and timely content. Prior to HMH, he was an editor and reporter for U.S. News & World Report covering online higher education, and he has also worked as an editor and blogger at the nonprofit organization World Education Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and history from Emory University, and his work has appeared in publications including USA Today and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 
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

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

Statue of liberty veterans day

8 High School Veterans Day Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas

Bring the experiences of U.S. military service members to life for your students with our high school Veterans Day activities and lesson plan ideas.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Renaissance lesson plan

Teaching the Renaissance: World History Lesson Plan and Activities

Use our Renaissance lesson plan and activities for middle school and high school to teach your students about this era of cultural “rebirth” in the 14th to 17th centuries.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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100th Day of School Activities for 2025: 15 Ways to Celebrate in the Classroom

Use these 100th Day of School activities and celebration ideas for teachers to help your students honor how far they have come this school year.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

New years bulletin board

New Year’s Bulletin Board Ideas for Teachers

Happy New Year! These New Year's bulletin board ideas for teachers are sure to get students thinking about what changes they want to make in school and their personal lives.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Invention convention ideas

Invention Convention Ideas for School Projects

Encourage students by discussing some of these invention convention ideas for school projects that students have created in the past.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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

WF2026787 Shaped 2024 Blog Post Monthly Calendar Themes Update

2024–2025 Monthly Calendar Themes for School

Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Presidents day lesson plans and activities

9 Presidents' Day Lesson Plans and Activities to Foster Engaged Citizens

Use these 9 Presidents' Day lesson plans and activities for middle and high school classrooms to foster engaged and informed citizens.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Valentine Activities

10 Valentine's Day Classroom Activities

Looking for Valentine’s Day ideas for school? Explore 10 Valentine's Day classroom activities, from heart collages to books, that students are sure to enjoy.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

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14 Fun Black History Month Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Download these fun Black History Month activities for elementary and middle school students to teach your class about African American history.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Holiday classroom activities christmas hanukkah kwanzaa

14 Winter Holiday Activities for School

Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with 14 holiday classroom activities, games, and crafts for elementary and middle school students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Hanukkah activities games elementary

11 Hanukkah Classroom Games and Activities for Elementary Students

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these Hanukkah classroom games and activities for elementary students.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

SEL hero

What Is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in Education? Insights for K–12 Educators

Get answers to common questions like "What is social-emotional learning in education?" and "Why is SEL important?"

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Lessons Learned from COVID: Leaders Share Challenges and Bright Spots

Learn how COVID has influenced education leaders' work since spring 2020, the bright spots they see coming out of the pandemic, and the challenges they now face.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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Jones County Public Schools: A Success Story in Hybrid Learning

Learn how Jones County Public Schools adopted digital solutions to prioritize personalized learning and narrow COVID-19 learning gaps.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

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5 St. Patrick's Day Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

Use these St. Patrick's Day activities for elementary and middle school to celebrate and teach your students about the history of the holiday.

Jordan Friedman
Former Shaped Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor