Learning Network: Rethinking the Electoral College, a Times Panel for Students on Oct. 22

Plus a related lesson plan.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story October 9, 2020 Dear Reader, We’re hosting a live event for students about the Electoral College on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. Eastern. We encourage teachers to register if they plan on having a class participate in school, or have each of their students 13 and up register if they will be participating from home. Jesse Wegman, a member of the Times’s Editorial Board and one of the members of our Oct. 22 panel, writes: American democracy isn’t just quirky — it’s also unfair. Five times in our history, presidential candidates who have won more votes than their opponent have still lost the election. Why? Our 230-year-old jerry-built system for picking the president, known as the Electoral College. He argues: “This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a fairness issue. Whether you’re Republican or Democrat, your vote probably doesn’t count the way it should. It doesn’t have to be this way.” In addition to Mr. Wegman, we’ll be joined by Allyson Waller, part of the 2020-21 New York Times Fellowship class, who recently published the article “How Does the Electoral College Work and Why Does It Matter?” To support teachers and students in preparation for this live panel, we have created two resources: Our Student Opinion question, asking students: Is the Electoral College a problem? Does it need to be fixed? Our Lesson of the Day, inviting students to play with an interactive diagram, watch a short video, read an explainer article, and develop their own point of view about the Electoral College. This event will be an opportunity for students to ask Times journalists questions about the Electoral College, its history and its significance today. We are incredibly excited about this event — our first time ever hosting a live panel like this for students. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback. Sincerely, Michael Gonchar, editor ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS Live Panel for Students: Rethinking the Electoral College Join us on Oct. 22 as The Learning Network hosts a panel with Times journalists about the Electoral College. Students are encouraged to submit questions. By The Learning Network current events Lesson of the Day: How Does the Electoral College Work and Why Does It Matter? In this lesson, students will learn about the Electoral College — how it works in a presidential election and why it was created — and consider whether it needs to be reformed. By Jeremy Engle and Michael Gonchar weekly news quiz for students Weekly News Quiz for Students: Trump Infection, Virus Death Toll, Sports Championship How well did you follow the news this past week? How many of these 10 questions can you get right? Compiled by John Otis and Jeremy Engle student opinion Do You Love Writing or Receiving Letters? Snail mail is making a comeback during the pandemic. Have you written any letters lately? Do you think that now is a good time to start? By Jeremy Engle student opinion What Ideas Do You Have to Improve Your Favorite Sport? Professional sports have returned after a long pause, making it a good time to consider: Does your favorite game need a reboot or makeover? By Jeremy Engle student opinion Are Presidential Debates Helpful to Voters? Or Should They Be Scrapped? Do they provide voters with a chance to see the real candidates behind the scripted sound bites and commercials? Or are they “too much theater, too little substance”? By Nicole Daniels and Michael Gonchar student opinion How Is Your Mental Health These Days? How have you been coping with the extraordinary challenges that 2020 has presented? What strategies have you used to “stay steady in the turmoil” of this year? By Shannon Doyne student opinion Is the Electoral College a Problem? Does It Need to Be Fixed? Is the way Americans choose the president undemocratic and unfair? Or does the Electoral College work the way it’s supposed to, even if the candidate who wins the most votes loses? By Michael Gonchar and Nicole Daniels Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS What’s Going On in This Graph? | Oct. 14, 2020 How has consumer spending in the United States changed during the pandemic? By The Learning Network current events conversation What Students Are Saying About Socially-Distant Friendships, School Accountability and Lessons From Animals Teenage comments in response to our recent writing prompts, and an invitation to join the ongoing conversation. By The Learning Network current events Lesson of the Day: ‘As Trump Seeks to Project Strength, Doctors Disclose Alarming Episodes’ In this lesson, students review what we know about the president’s condition now, and consider questions about what information the public has a right to know in general. By Katherine Schulten current events Lesson of the Day: ‘A Battle for the Souls of Black Girls’ In this lesson, students will learn about the ways that Black girls are disproportionately disciplined in schools — and what activists, teenagers and politicians are doing about it. By Nicole Daniels current events Lesson of the Day: ‘Laughter May Be Effective Medicine for These Trying Times’ In this lesson, you’ll discover the health benefits of humor and find ways to add more levity to your life. By Natalie Proulx current events Lesson of the Day: ‘35 Thoughts About Mario on Super Mario’s 35th Anniversary’ In this lesson, students will learn about the game’s legacy and enduring popularity. Then they will create a new character to join the Super Mario Bros. universe. By Jeremy Engle Haunting Ideas: Halloween-Themed Teaching and Learning With The New York Times Ideas and resources for celebrating the holiday across the curriculum. By The Learning Network country of the week How Much Do You Know About Sweden? Can you find Sweden on a map? What else do you know about this European nation with about 10 million people? Compiled by John Otis Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. ELSEWHERE IN THE TIMES For Kids at Home, ‘a Small Intervention Makes a Big Difference’ Parents are more crucial than ever to their children’s education. Here are two programs, thousands of miles apart, that have helped get them involved. By Tina Rosenberg in her words What It’s Like to Be a Teacher in 2020 America Teachers find themselves at the heart of the national crisis — responsible not just for children’s education and well-being, but also for essential child care as parents struggle to get back to work. By Emma Goldberg N.Y.C. Closes Some Schools … Again Just days after reopening, schools and day care centers are set to close in nine New York City hot spots in Brooklyn and Queens. By Amelia Nierenberg and Adam Pasick How are we doing? We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to LNfeedback@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Learning Network from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018