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Watershed: Teaching About Gun Control After Newtown

Mourners at a makeshift memorial to the victims of the shootings in Newtown, Conn. The town is not an obvious arena for the nation’s debate over gun control. Go to related article »Marcus Yam for The New York Times Mourners at a makeshift memorial to the victims of the shootings in Newtown, Conn. The town is not an obvious arena for the nation’s debate over gun control. Go to related article »
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Civics

Teaching ideas based on New York Times content.

Overview | What should happen in response to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School? How should the nation try to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future? In this lesson, students will explore the political process that was set in motion by the Dec. 14 school attack that killed 20 children and 6 staff members. They will research the issues and history behind gun control in the United States and try to predict what sort of bill might eventually emerge from Congress. Read more…


Did a Newspaper Act Irresponsibly by Publishing the Addresses of Gun Owners?

A screengrab of The Journal News's gun-permit map, which is concentrated in Westchester County. Go to related article » A screengrab of The Journal News’s gun-permit map, which is concentrated in Westchester County. Go to related article »
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Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

The Journal News, a newspaper serving the northern suburbs of New York City, published the names and addresses of handgun permit holders in two counties in New York State. The interactive map received more views than any other article in the paper’s history and generated significant outrage across the nation. Calls and e-mails to the newspaper became so threatening that it decided to hire armed security guards to protect the safety of its employees.

Did the newspaper act irresponsibly by publishing the names and addresses of handgun permit holders online?


Read more…


Journalists Go on Strike in Southern China

Demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of Southern Weekend Monday in Guangzhou, China. Go to related article »James Pomfret/Reuters Demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of Southern Weekend Monday in Guangzhou, China. Go to related article »
6 Q’s About the News

Watch the above video and use the related article to answer basic news questions.

In “Supporters Back Strike at Newspaper in China,” Edward Wong reports on a growing demand for press freedom in southern China.

WHO declared a strike on Monday?
WHO else gathered around the headquarters of the newspaper office where the strike was taking place?

WHY were the journalists striking?

WHAT is the name of the newspaper?
WHAT outcome do the angry journalists want?

WHERE did the strike take place?

WHEN did the strike take place?

HOW did the police respond to the protest?
HOW does the strike pose a challenge for the new Communist Party chief, Xi Jinping?


Related: Our lesson plan “Ten Ways to Investigate Transition in China” and our 6 Q’s “Diplomatic Turmoil Surrounds the Fate of a Chinese Dissident”


Test Yourself | English, Jan. 8, 2013

The question was written by Shannon Doyne. It comes from The Times Magazine article “What Happens in Brooklyn Moves to Vegas.”

After you’ve clicked “submit answer,” more information will appear.

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


News Quiz | January 8, 2013

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


Word of the Day | theocracy

theocracy •\thē-ˈä-krə-sē\• noun

1. a political unit governed by a deity (or by officials thought to be divinely guided)
2. the belief in government by divine guidance

The word theocracy has appeared in 131 New York Times articles in the past year, including on Dec. 5 in “Thousands of Egyptians Protest Plan for Charter”:

Read more…


What’s Going On in This Picture? | Jan. 7, 2013

What’s going on in this picture? Look closely at the image above, or view it in a larger size, then tell us what you see by posting a comment. On Jan. 8, we will reveal more about the image and its origins at the bottom of this post.Damon Winter/The New York Times What’s going on in this picture? Look closely at the image above, or view it in a larger size, then tell us what you see by posting a comment. On Jan. 8, we will reveal more about the image and its origins at the bottom of this post.

Update: Jan. 8, 2012

Students: After looking closely at the image above (or at the full-size image here), think about the following three questions:

  • What’s going on in this picture?
  • What do you see that makes you say that?
  • What more can you find?

Then, join the conversation by posting comments below. (But please remember not to post your last name.)

Read more…


Fill-In | Trendy Spot Urges Tourists to Ride In and Spend, ‘Gangnam Style’

Tourists at a plywood stage honoring the rapper Psy in the Gangnam district of Seoul recently. Go to related article »Jean Chung for The New York Times Tourists at a plywood stage honoring the rapper Psy in the Gangnam district of Seoul recently. Go to related article »

Directions: Fill in the blanks in the first eight paragraphs of the article “Trendy Spot Urges Tourists to Ride In and Spend, ‘Gangnam Style’” by Martin Fackler.

Read more…


What Will People Wear at Costume Parties Celebrating the 2000s?

It is hard to imagine what will define our era in fashion as bell-bottoms do for the ’60s. But Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow are sure to have an influence. Go to related article »Evan Agostini/Associated Press (left and right) Tony Cenicola, via The New York Times (center It is hard to imagine what will define our era in fashion as bell-bottoms do for the ’60s. But Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow are sure to have an influence. Go to related article »
Student Opinion - The Learning NetworkStudent Opinion - The Learning Network

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


Suppose you were invited to a costume party that required all guests to dress in the style of a previous era. There you would likely see someone dressed like a disco dancer of the ’70s, a hair band enthusiast from the ’80s, or a flannel-and-Dr. Martens grunge rocker straight out of the ’90s.

Now imagine such a party taking place 20 years from now. What would a stereotypical 2000-to-2013 costume look like?

Teddy Wayne raises this question with fashion experts in “What Will Induce Nostalgia in 2033?”

Read more…


N.H.L. Lockout Nears Its End

N.H.L. Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, and Donald Fehr, the players' association chief, met the news media early Sunday morning after reaching an agreement. Go to related article »Chris Johnston/The Canadian Press, via Associated Press N.H.L. Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, and Donald Fehr, the players’ association chief, met the news media early Sunday morning after reaching an agreement. Go to related article »
6 Q’s About the News

Watch the above video and use the related article to answer basic news questions.

In “N.H.L. and Players Union Reach Tentative Agreement to End Lockout,” Jeff Z. Klein reports on Sunday’s developments.

WHO is Gary Bettman?
WHO is Donald Fehr?

WHAT needs to happen before the lockout can officially end?

WHEN might training camp begin for players?
WHEN would the hockey season start?

HOW many games might be played in the regular season?
HOW long would the agreement last?
HOW would the players’ salary cap be affected?

WHERE did the negotiation session take place?

WHY did the lockout happen?


Related: Our 6 Q’s About the News “When Kings Are Hockey Royalty” and our Reading Club feature “On Violence in Hockey: Students Have Their Say.”