Learning Network: Math Is Everywhere As We Try to Better Understand This Pandemic

Rates and data, charts and graphs, projections and probabilities.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story April 3, 2020

Dear Reader,

Rates and data, charts and graphs, projections and probabilities. Math is everywhere as we try to better understand this pandemic and all its related health, economic and social consequences.

Our mission at The Learning Network is to find opportunities for teaching and learning in current events. So this week we published a new resource: Seven Ways to Explore the Math of the Coronavirus. It invites students to do things like: investigate rates of change, play with policy-related parameters and compare national, state and county data.

In the past several weeks, we have also hosted three coronavirus-related “What’s Going On in This Graph?” discussions with students from around the world. This week’s conversation about social distancing had over 700 comments; the one last week, on flattening the curve, had over 1,000. As usual, teachers from the American Statistical Association encourage students to support claims with evidence during live-moderation Wednesdays. It’s hard to communicate how powerful an activity this can be for students unless you read the comments for yourself.

Mathematical and statistical literacy are fundamental to understanding our current crisis. We hope these resources can help students make sense of the numbers in the news during these surreal and scary times.

Stay well,

Michael Gonchar, Editor

CURRENT EVENTS AND MULTIMEDIA What’s Going On in This Graph? | April 8, 2020 Where did the bus riders go? By The Learning Network 7 Ways to Explore the Math of the Coronavirus Using The New York Times Graphs and data are everywhere as we try to better understand this pandemic and all its related health, economic and social consequences. By Patrick Honner current events Lesson of the Day: ‘D.I.Y. Coronavirus Solutions Are Gaining Steam’ In this lesson, students will learn how from Ireland to Seattle, makers and engineers are creating open-source versions of much-needed medical equipment. By Jeremy Engle current events Learning About Coronavirus and the Class Divide In this lesson, students will consider how social class and personal circumstances can affect how different people are experiencing the social and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. By Nicole Daniels and Michael Gonchar weekly news quiz for students Weekly News Quiz for Students: Stimulus Bill, Social Distancing Guidelines, Mister Rogers How well did you follow the news this past week? How many of these 10 questions can you get right? Compiled by Jeremy Engle and John Otis current events Lesson of the Day: ‘Online, Virtual Games Escape the New Reality’ In this lesson, students will consider how e-sports can provide a space for community and fun during the coronavirus pandemic. By Natalie Proulx current events Lesson of the Day: ‘Olympians Have Another Year to Prepare for Tokyo. It’s a Blessing and a Curse.’ In this lesson, students learn about the reality for athletes who now have another year to train, but also face uncertainty about what that time could do to their health, Olympic potential and finances. By Michael Gonchar and Shannon Doyne What’s Going On in This Picture? | March 30, 2020 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

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WRITING, LITERACY SKILLS AND STUDENT VOICE current events conversation What Students Are Saying About Public Preschool, Staying Healthy and Being Trapped Inside Teenage comments in response to our recent writing prompts, and an invitation to join the ongoing conversation. By The Learning Network 24 Ways to Teach and Learn About Poetry With The New York Times Ideas for helping even the most verse averse find something to enjoy. By Katherine Schulten student opinion Has Your School Switched to Remote Learning? How Is It Going So Far? What does a “school day” now look like for you? Are you able to stay on task? Do you have enough work to do — or too much? What do you miss the most about going to school in person every day? What do you miss the least? By Michael Gonchar and Shannon Doyne student opinion Is the Coronavirus Pandemic Bringing Your Extended Family Closer Together? Are you FaceTiming with grandparents, Zooming with cousins or doing virtual family check-ins more often than usual? By Nicole Daniels picture prompts Looking Back What story could this image tell? By The Learning Network student opinion What Role Should Celebrities Have During the Coronavirus Crisis? Celebrities are reminding us to stay home, encouraging us to keep up our spirits and sharing how they are coping. Should they? By Jeremy Engle student opinion How Do Animals Provide Comfort in Your Life? Do you have a pet that you turn to when you’re stressed or worn out? Do animals ever bring you joy and companionship? By Nicole Daniels Teenagers in The Times: March 2020 Our roundup of the news stories and features about young people that have recently appeared across sections of NYTimes.com. By The Learning Network

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ELSEWHERE IN THE TIMES Teachers’ Herculean Task: Moving 1.1 Million Children to Online School New York City’s 75,000 public school educators are facing a challenge unlike anything in their careers. For students to avoid permanent setbacks, the success of remote learning is critical. By David W. Chen Parents and Schools Are Struggling to Care for Kids With Special Needs Coronavirus has meant rethinking education as we know it, and it’s OK to take it slow. By Hallie Levine in her words Figuring Out Home Schooling in the Age of Coronavirus Two journalists, with five children between them, discuss what life is like with schools closed and kids at home. By Francesca Donner and Corinne Purtill

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