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Resources for Teaching and Learning

Activities for students and lesson plan ideas based on Times articles, photos, videos and graphs.

Activities for students and lesson plan ideas based on Times articles, photos, videos and graphs.

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STUDENT OPINION

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  1. Introduction to ‘Student Opinion Questions’

    Want to learn more about this feature? Watch this short introduction video and start sharing your ideas and opinions today.

     By The Learning Network

    Credit

  2. What Sign, Symbol or Emoji Best Represents Your Generation?

    And what does it say about you and your peers — your experiences, your interests, your hopes and your worries?

     By Shannon Doyne

    Seniors at Vassar College in New York pinned peace symbols to their mortarboards during their graduation ceremony in May 1970.
    CreditWilliam E. Sauro/The New York Times

  3. What Elective Do You Wish Your School Offered?

    A program at a high school in Missouri teaches students how to bring food from the farm to the table. What nontraditional classes would you like to take?

     By Natalie Proulx

    Credit

  4. Can Poetry Make a Difference in Our Lives and in the World?

    April is National Poetry Month. What role does poetry play in your life?

     By Natalie Proulx

    CreditAlec Soth/Magnum Photos

  5. Should Colleges and Universities Get Rid of Legacy Admissions?

    Is the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants with family ties to alumni unfair?

     By Jeremy Engle

    The ban on legacy admissions in Virginia public universities will notably affect the University of Virginia, above, and William & Mary.
    CreditCarlos Bernate for The New York Times

PICTURE PROMPTS

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  1. Introduction to ‘Picture Prompts’

    Want to learn more about this feature? Watch this short introduction video on using Picture Prompts to strengthen literacy skills and give students a voice.

     By The Learning Network

    Credit

  2. Salt

    Are you consuming too much?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditIllustration by Adrian Mangel

  3. Tiny House

    Tell us a story, real or made up, that is inspired by this image.

     By The Learning Network

    CreditTony Cenicola/The New York Times

  4. Flying Plastic

    What do you think this image is communicating?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditBen Denzer

  5. Movie Memorabilia

    What prop from a movie would you most like to own?

     By The Learning Network

    The prop “bears a striking resemblance,” Heritage Auctions said, to a panel from the Titanic housed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
    CreditHeritage Auctions

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LESSON OF THE DAY

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  1. New Resources for Teaching About the Israel-Hamas War

    Here is an updated collection of New York Times articles, essays, podcasts and videos to help students learn about the war, media literacy, dueling historical narratives and more.

     By The Learning Network

    CreditHannibal Hanschke/EPA, via Shutterstock

  2. Lesson Plan: ‘Noise Could Take Years Off Your Life. Here’s Why.’

    In this lesson, students will learn about the dangers of noise in daily life, and the health risks excessive noise can pose. Then, they will document the noise levels in their own communities.

     By Jeremy Engle

    A jet blazing over a residential neighborhood in San Diego can disturb the serene soundscape with an ear-piercing roar, especially when it happens every three minutes.
    CreditNoah Throop/The New York Times

  3. Lesson Plan | ‘An American Puzzle: Fitting Race in a Box’

    Census categories for race and ethnicity have changed over the last 230 years. What might that suggest about the United States’ past and future?

     By Michael Gonchar

    CreditThe New York Times

  4. Teachers, How Are You Addressing the Israel-Hamas War in Your Classrooms?

    As the conflict intensifies, we wonder how, if at all, you are discussing it with students. Please share your thoughts.

     By The Learning Network

    Related Guest Essay
    CreditIllustration by The New York Times; Photograph by Yuki Iwamura/Associated Press

  5. Teenagers as Critics: A Step-by-Step Guide for Writing a Review

    We’ll walk you through the process with advice from New York Times critics and student writers.

     By The Learning Network

    What opinions about art and culture do you have to share with the world? Related Article
    CreditVictor Kerlow

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS PICTURE?

More in WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS PICTURE? ›

  1. What’s Going On in This Picture? | April 15, 2024

    Look closely at this image, stripped of its caption, and join the moderated conversation about what you and other students see.

     By The Learning Network

    CreditAlexandra Genova for The New York Times

  2. What’s Going On in This Picture? | April 8, 2024

    Look closely at this image, stripped of its caption, and join the moderated conversation about what you and other students see.

     By The Learning Network

    CreditMuhammed Muheisen/Associated Press

  3. How to Teach With ‘What’s Going On in This Picture?’

    Want to use intriguing photographs to help students practice visual thinking and close reading skills? This guide can help you get started.

     By The Learning Network

    Images from our “What’s Going On in This Picture?” feature.
    CreditClockwise, from top left: Bryan Denton for The New York Times, Ennio Leanza/European Pressphoto Agency, Alejandro Cegarra for The New York Times, Muhammed Muheisen/Associated Press, Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle, Adam Dean for The New York Times

  4. Introduction to ‘What’s Going On in This Picture?’

    Want to learn more about this popular student activity? Watch this short introduction video and start using this multimedia feature in your classroom.

     By The Learning Network

    Credit

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WEEKLY NEWS QUIZ

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  1. Weekly Student News Quiz: Israel, Abortion Law, Trial of the Century

    Have you been paying attention to current events recently? See how many of these 10 questions you can get right.

     Compiled by Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar

    CreditKenny Holston/The New York Times

  2. Weekly Student News Quiz: School Attendance, Bridge Collapse, NCAA Final

    Have you been paying attention to current events recently? See how many of these 10 questions you can get right.

     Compiled by Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar

    CreditRenaud Philippe for The New York Times

  3. Weekly Student News Quiz: Israel-Hamas War, Medical Breakthrough, Apple

    Have you been paying attention to current events recently? See how many of these 10 questions you can get right.

     Compiled by Michael Gonchar and Jeremy Engle

    CreditAndrew Kelly/Reuters

  4. Weekly Student New Quiz: TikTok, Russia, Pi Day

    Have you been paying attention to current events recently? See how many of these 10 questions you can get right.

     Compiled by Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar

    CreditShuran Huang for The New York Times

  5. Weekly Student News Quiz: Super Tuesday, Oscars, SAT

    Have you been paying attention to current events recently? See how many of these 10 questions you can get right.

     Compiled by Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar

    CreditAmir Hamja/The New York Times

CONTESTS

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  1. How to Become Friends With a Wild Bird

    A winning essay by Shannon Hong, age 16.

     By The Learning Network

    CreditBill Hartline

  2. How to Be a Kid Forever

    A winning essay by Raniya Chowdhury, age 17.

     By The Learning Network

    Image from a 2024 Times article: “Who Has the Secret to Well-Being? The Answer May Surprise You.”
    CreditNicolás Ortega

  3. How to Host Unexpected Guests

    A winning essay by Sofia Fontenot, age 18.

     By The Learning Network

    Image from a 2022 Times Article, “They Traveled From South Korea. They Got Stranded Near Buffalo,” about a couple who hosted 10 strangers at Christmastime.
    CreditAlexander Campagna

  4. How to Make Fear Your Friend

    A winning essay by Zoe Brown, age 14.

     By The Learning Network

    Image from a 2022 Times article: “Escalating Tricks, Escalating Fears”
    Credit

  5. How to Make Bubble Tea

    A winning essay by Hanyi Zhou, age 14.

     By The Learning Network

    Credit

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FILM CLUB

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  1. Film Club: ‘There’s a Tax Season Villain, and It’s Not the I.R.S.’

    Why is it so difficult and expensive for Americans to pay taxes every year? Should it be easier?

     By The Learning Network

    Credit

  2. Film Club: ‘Island in Between’

    What is life like for the Taiwanese people caught between two superpowers — China and the United States?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditS. Leo Chiang

  3. 25 Short Films for Exploring the Joys and Challenges of Growing Up

    A collection of mini-documentaries about young people’s coming-of-age.

     By Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar

    Credit

  4. 8 Ways to Teach With Short Documentary Films From The Times

    How to use our weekly Film Club feature to teach close reading and critical thinking skills via an eclectic mix of nonfiction videos.

     By Jeremy Engle

    Credit

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS GRAPH?

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  1. What’s Going On in This Graph? | April 17, 2024

    How are the prices and sizes of some consumer items changing?

     By The Learning Network

    Credit

  2. Teach About Climate Change With 30 Graphs From The New York Times

    A new collection to explore our planet’s warming oceans, intensifying storms and rising air temperatures, as well as its greenhouse gas emissions and climate solutions.

     By Michael Gonchar

    Credit

  3. Over 75 New York Times Graphs for Students to Analyze

    A new collection of graphs, maps and charts organized by topic and type from our “What’s Going On in This Graph?” feature.

     By The Learning Network

    CreditSource: Four Twenty Seven and The New York Times

  4. Introduction to ‘What’s Going On in This Graph?’

    Want to learn more about this feature? Watch this short introduction video and start using New York Times graphs in your classroom.

     By The Learning Network

    Credit

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VOCABULARY

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  1. Word of the Day: thoroughfare

    This word has appeared in 104 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditCindy Lozito

  2. Word of the Day: foolhardy

    This word has appeared in 26 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditCindy Lozito

  3. Word of the Day: fabricate

    This word has appeared in 30 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditCindy Lozito

  4. Word of the Day: prowess

    This word has appeared in 222 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditCindy Lozito

  5. Word of the Day: sophomoric

    This word has appeared in 18 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?

     By The Learning Network

    CreditCindy Lozito

COUNTRY OF THE WEEK QUIZ

More in COUNTRY OF THE WEEK QUIZ ›

  1. How Much Do You Know About Djibouti?

    Can you find Djibouti on a map? What else do you know about this East African nation?

     Compiled by Michael Gonchar

    Lake Assal has the largest salt repository in the world.
    CreditMarcus Westberg for The New York Times

  2. Can You Guess the Country? A Geography Photo Quiz for Students.

    Test your geography knowledge using photographs from around the world.

     Compiled by John Otis

    CreditYonhap/EPA, via Shutterstock

  3. Explore the World With These 160 Country Quizzes

    Expand your knowledge of geography and culture with our short country quizzes, all based on reporting, photos and videos from The New York Times.

     By John Otis and Michael Gonchar

    Clockwise, from top left: Mongolia — Hannah Reyes Morales for The New York Times; Japan — Shuji Kajiyama/Associated Press; India — Poras Chaudhary for The New York Times; Myanmar — Minzayar Oo for The New York Times 
    Credit

  4. World Capitals Quiz

    Do you know the capital of Austria? What about Mozambique? How many of these 40 capital cities can you name?

     Compiled by John Otis

    CreditClockwise from top left: Hans-Juergen Burkard/Eyevine, via ReduxSlide; Damon Winter, via The New York Times; Kike Calvo for The New York Times; Candace Feit for The New York Times; Petros Karadjias, via Associated Press; Milan Bures for The New York Times

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  2. Writing Prompts

    Writing Prompts

    Student Opinion Q’s, Picture Prompts & Current Events Conversation

     
  3. Quizzes & Crosswords

    Quizzes and Vocabulary

    Weekly News Quiz, Word of the Day, Country of the Week and Student Crosswords

     
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  5. Contests

    Contests

    Student Contests & Our Contest Calendar

     

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