NYT: Pandemic Writing

The New York Times Learning Network is a terrific resource for writing--in classrooms with students, and on our own. On Tuesday, July 7, as part of our writing response group time, we did a brief narrative start in response to "This Togetherness is Temporary," an essay by Mary Laura Philpott which appeared in the New York Times on April 3.

The idea for our writing was the second invitation from this: "12 Ideas for Writing Through the Pandemic with The New York Times."

Overall, the New York Times Learning Network is a resource that is worth some study. There are opportunities for student publication, webinars for educators, a writing curriculum, and a host of high quality supports for learning and teaching. We Western Pennsylvania Writing Project folks like it because there are clearly some NWP folks involved and that shows.

Take a look at the curriculum and learning opportunities shared through the Learning Network. Although the curriculum is designed for middle and high school students, the structure of it is worth learning from. Notice the use of mentor texts, and the ways they encourage their students to share widely with a larger public.

Seven-Unit Writing Curriculum from the New York Times Learning Network:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/22/learning/free-writing-curriculum-with-nyt.html

Student Contest Calendar for 2020-2021:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/learning/our-2020-21-student-contest-calendar.html