Education



May 6, 2011, 1:30 am

News Quiz | May 6, 2011

See what you know about the news below. To prepare, you might scan the articles or summaries on today’s paper.


May 6, 2011, 12:07 am

Word of the Day | complementary

complementary •\ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē\• adjective

: acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)

The word complementary has appeared in 227 New York Times articles in the past year, including on Feb. 21 in “Blogs Wane as the Young Drift to Sites Like Twitter,” by Verne G. Kopytoff:

Read more…


May 5, 2011, 3:19 pm

In Service of the Story? Exploring Questions of Truth in Memoir

Girls studying last year in a school in Afghanistan built and operated by Greg Mortenson.Nicholas D. Kristof/The New York TimesGirls studying last year in a school in Afghanistan built and operated by Greg Mortenson. Go to related column »

Lesson Plans - The Learning NetworkLesson Plans - The Learning Network

Language Arts

Teaching ideas based on New York Times content.

Overview | What is the role of truth in memoir? Is it O.K. to manipulate facts in the service of conveying a story? In this lesson, students participate in a Socratic seminar to consider questions of truth and fiction in memoir raised by allegations about the veracity of Greg Mortenson’s “Three Cups of Tea.” They also write their own six-word memoirs. Read more…


May 5, 2011, 10:02 am

Poetry Pairing | May 5, 2011

Darren Higgins for The New York TimesA drawing by Elisabeth Hanff, 4. Go to related article » | Go to related slide show »

In our weekly “Poetry Pairing” series, we collaborate with the Poetry Foundation to feature a work from its American Life in Poetry project alongside content from The Times that somehow echoes, extends or challenges the poem’s themes. Each poem is introduced briefly by Ted Kooser, a former United States poet laureate.

This week we pair the poem “I Am,” written by an 8-year-old, with a Home and Garden article, “Mom, You’re One Tough Art Critic.”

Read more…


May 5, 2011, 5:15 am

Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden’s Body?

Student Opinion - The Learning NetworkStudent Opinion - The Learning Network

Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

After intense debate within his administration, the president has decided not to release photographs taken of Osama bin Laden after he was killed by the United States military. Do you agree or disagree with that decision, and why? Read more…


May 5, 2011, 3:30 am

Topping the Tonys

The Book of Mormon Josh Gad, left, Nikki M. James and Andrew Rannells were all nominated for their roles in this musical from the creators of “South Park.”Sara Krulwich/The New York TimesThe Book of Mormon Josh Gad, left, Nikki M. James and Andrew Rannells were all nominated for their roles in this musical from the creators of “South Park.”  Go to related article »
6 Q’s About the News

Use the photo and related article to answer basic news questions.

WHAT is “The Book of Mormon”?
WHAT is the record for most Tony Award nominations?
WHAT are the best live theatrical performances you’ve ever seen?

WHO created “The Book of Mormon”?
WHO are some of the Hollywood stars who were “snubbed” by the nominations?

HOW is “The Scottsboro Boys,” which received 12 nominations, “told in an audacious style”?

WHEN will the awards ceremony be held?

WHERE are the productions eligible for the Tony Awards performed?

WHY do you think the actor Mark Rylance says, “Awards can be a sword that divides rather than unites artists”?


Related: “Tony! Tony! Tony!,” last year’s 6 Q’s About the News post on the Tony Awards.


May 5, 2011, 3:23 am

Test Yourself | English, May 5, 2011

Test your vocabulary skills with today’s question, created by Danielle Hoagland and Judith McCaffrey at Grammarlogues, from the article “A Faltering Ruble, Long Lines and a Bomb Attack Rattle Belarus.”

After you’ve clicked “submit answer,” more information will appear. To learn more about this topic, visit a related page on Grammarlogues.

Use our questions for test prep or just for fun. Find more here:


May 5, 2011, 1:30 am

News Quiz | May 5, 2011

See what you know about the news below. To prepare, you might scan the articles or summaries on today’s paper.


May 5, 2011, 12:08 am

Word of the Day | parlance

parlance •\ˈpär-lən(t)s\• noun

: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

The word parlance has appeared in 159 New York Times articles in the past year, including on May 1 in the essay “Even in Real Life, There Were Screens Between Us,” by Caitlin Dewey:

Read more…


May 4, 2011, 3:26 pm

Inside Twisters: Creating Scientific News Reports on Tornadoes

Alan McLean and Archie TseThe map shows the locations of reported tornadoes each hour (Central time) across the eastern United States since April 21. Go to related interactive map » | Go to related article »
Lesson Plans - The Learning NetworkLesson Plans - The Learning Network

Science

Teaching ideas based on New York Times content.

Overview | What factors might explain tornado outbreaks? In this lesson, students create a news magazine-style program about both the spring 2011 tornado outbreak in the southeastern United States and tornadoes in history. They learn why some parts of the country are most prone to tornado development and explore the extent of tornadoes across the globe. Read more…


On This Day

See the On This Day Index »

This Week on the Learning Network

Resources
Bin Laden

Teaching ideas and resources on the death of Osama bin Laden.

Resources
The Holocaust

Lessons, archival materials and multimedia for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Welcome to The Learning Network Blog!

The Learning Network provides teaching and learning materials and ideas based on New York Times content.

Teachers can use or adapt our lessons across subject areas and levels. Students can respond to our Opinion questions, take our News Quizzes, learn the Word of the Day, try our Test Yourself questions, complete a Fill-In or read our Poetry Pairings.

Join the conversation by commenting on any post. We'd love to hear what you think!

Comments of the Moment

“ Such a complex issue: terrorism, middle east, political Islam, foreign policy, and on and on and on. As a middle school history teacher I have felt the initial tug and responsibility of covering this topic in class--we have done so, with some background on the U.S. historical involvement in the middle east, and have regretfully labeled the unit "Terrorism". I find myself in a bit of a quandary, however; I can't seem to figure out how to best reach the students so that they are equipped with the information they need to generate the discussions that are necessary for the us to be the change.... Any thoughts on how to address this complex issue in a simple way to 8th graders who are just ready to move on to high school...thanks for any advice.”
— John Scott
Teaching Ideas: The Death of Osama bin Laden
“ I personally don't know if I would want to see the photos, but I know I don't want more disruption in our country over conspiracies. ”
— Lindsay
Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden's Body?
“ Some people are annoying when they think they are not pretty or handsome. They think they are UGLY. But they are not! They have beautiful inside of themselves. ”
— Louise A.
What Annoys You?
“ Of course we all want to see them and feel entitled to see them. No one shielded our eyes when human bodies were flying out of the trade center and hitting the streets of lower manhattan at terminal velocity. No one hid the videos of reporters having their heads sawed off from our eyes either. Our sensitivity isn't in question because the man in question, Osama bin laden stole my generations innocence.”
— Bryan
Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden's Body?
“ Al Qaeda HAS put videos of our troops having their heads cut off. Bin Laden has killed countless people for no reason other than to spread hate for over twelve years. I think the American people have earned the right to see this killers dead corpse. ”
— David
Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden's Body?
“ The photos should be released, however I don't think this is the right moment.It should be waited a certain period of time until the whole torment of the moment passes and after that posted in silence without making any fuzz about it. If posted now, it would make people go crazy, his admirers would worship him maybe, would transform him into a hero .”
— Sonia
Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden's Body?
“ No pictures necessary to convince me that Osama was taken down. Don't believe in the conspiracy theories doing the rounds.”
— Satrajit
Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden's Body?
“ The most valuable possession I keep with me is a baby picture with my mom and dad in the Philippines. My mom and dad seperated when I was little probably not too far after the picture. This is the only picture of us as a family...”
— TV
What Possessions Does Your Family Treasure?
“ Well, on my tenth birthday my mom gave me as a gift a musical box that contained six silver hearts. They were enscribed each a different word. One said "always', another "love", and another "forever". Then it would repeat on the next 3 hearts. The melody the box plays always calms me down whenever I would get sad. Also another thing that made me love this box was what it read in the front: "Don't ever forget that I love you more each day". I hope to pass this musical box to my daughter one day, and eventually start a tradition.”
— alexis
What Possessions Does Your Family Treasure?
“ When I heard that Osama Bin Laden was killed, I had to google his name because I was young when 911 occurred so I didn't know who he was. When I heard the president's speech I agreed with everything that he said, especially that "justice has been served". This man murdered many people, even the innocent. I believe that this doesn't make us safer from terrorism. I'm afraid that his followers will try to cause harm to the United States again.”
— Angie
What Is Your Reaction to the Death of Osama bin Laden?
“ I really don't care, I mean, I was way too young for it to effect me, and well, I didn't lose anyone during it either... I understand how people can be relieved about it and I don't mind, I mean, I'm glad they're finally getting some justice, but it's just news that'll die down in a while.”
— Denis M
What Is Your Reaction to the Death of Osama bin Laden?
“ "...we believe that being literate means being able to read images as well as text..." Yes, yes! Especially being able to read images (and text) thoughtfully and critically. I think a Multimedia of the Week feature is a great idea.”
— Heather B.
Manny in High School: A Slide Show That Tells a Slugger's Story
“ We (an eighth grade Social Studies teacher and a school librarian ) plan to use the letters to the editor to discuss bin Laden's death. We chose them because they represent broad perspectives and reactions . We hope it will expose students to deeper thinking on this historical event.”
— Sharon Waskow
Teaching Ideas: The Death of Osama bin Laden
“ (1) Freewrite on "war on terrorism". Follow up with a share in groups; then report back as a class, while banking ideas that came up in the freewrite on poster paper. (2) (a) Give students 15-20 events in the "war on terror"... (b) In small groups, ask students to arrange the events in chronological order. (c) Report back to the class, and compare orders -- assemble an agreed upon order on a wall, for future reference. Tell students: 'This list will help shape what we believe is important to think about.' (3) Discussion Questions: What's your opinion of the war on terror? Has it been worth it? Should the US intervene in other countries? When and why? etc. (4) (a) Read "Bin Laden is Dead, Says Obama". Usual reading strategies... (b) Return to discussion questions -- new thoughts? (5) Students can choose topics for further research based on the discussion, or write a personal Op-Ed response to the topic [it would be helpful to read a model Op-Ed first]. ”
— josh
Teaching Ideas: The Death of Osama bin Laden
“ ...as someone who is currently in the middle of one, I wanted to comment to share a little bit about my experience. Taking a gap year has hands down been the best decision that I've ever made. At the age of 18, I'm currently living in my own apartment rent free in Paris, just a ten minutes walk from the Notre Dame. How many of my contemporaries from home can say that they've done something like that? I'm an au pair, doing babysitting for a Parisian family in exchange for an apartment and pocket money, what I've found to be the cheapest way to live in Europe. ”
— Katherine
What Would You Do With a Gap Year?

Blog Archive

Recent Posts

May 06

News Quiz | May 6, 2011

See what you know about the news of the day.

May 06

Word of the Day | complementary

This word has appeared in 227 New York Times articles in the past year.

May 05
(1)

In Service of the Story? Exploring Questions of Truth in Memoir

Holding a Socratic seminar to discuss the importance and role of truth in writers' memoirs, and then crafting personal memoirs and comparing them with others' recollections.

May 05
(1)

Poetry Pairing | May 5, 2011

This week we pair the poem "I Am," written by an 8-year-old, with a Home and Garden article, "Mom, You're One Tough Art Critic."

May 05
(69)

Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden’s Body?

Do you agree or disagree with the decision not to release the photographs?

About Us

Katherine Schulten

Katherine Schulten has worked in education for over 25 years as a teacher, school newspaper adviser, literacy consultant, curriculum writer and editor.

Holly Ojalvo

Holly Epstein Ojalvo spent 10 years in the classroom as an award-winning English teacher and student newspaper adviser.