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Film Club: ‘When Pinball Was Illegal’

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Film Club: ‘When Pinball Was Illegal’

Scares over youth culture are not new. From comic books to video games, heavy metal to rap music, adults have long worried about the harmful effects of popular culture on children. But did you know that pinball was once banned for fears of turning kids into … wait for it … “stark raving mad gambling addicts”? Yes, pinball, the arcade game with the metal ball, flippers, bumpers and lots of flashing lights and dinging sounds.

“When Pinball Was Illegal,” a two-minute film by Retro Report from 2015, tells the forgotten and colorful story from our past.

Are fears about youth culture overblown? What lessons can we draw from the moral panic over pinball?

Students

1. Watch the short film above. While you watch, you might take notes using our Film Club Double-Entry Journal (PDF) to help you remember specific moments.

2. After watching, think about these questions:

  • What questions do you still have?

  • What connections can you make between this film and your own life or experience? Why? Does this film remind you of anything else you’ve read or seen? If so, how and why?

3. An additional challenge | Respond to the essential question at the top of this post: Are fears about youth culture overblown?

4. Next, join the conversation by clicking on the comment button and posting in the box that opens on the right. (Students 13 and older are invited to comment, although teachers of younger students are welcome to post what their students have to say.)

5. After you have posted, try reading back to see what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting another comment. Use the “Reply” button or the @ symbol to address that student directly.

Want more student-friendly videos? Visit our Film Club column.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

What Students Are Saying About Gen Z’s Values, Thrift-Shopping, and Beloved Family Members

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onlinefreecourse
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What Students Are Saying About Gen Z’s Values, Thrift-Shopping, and Beloved Family Members

We invited students to read “Kuya,” an interactive illustrated piece about the artist’s relationship with his older brother, who deals with mental health issues.

Then, we asked them to tell us about a meaningful family relationship they have in their own lives. Many shared touching stories and moving tributes to their brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and aunts and uncles.

Born five years apart, my sister and I inevitably had the stereotypical sisterly feud for the beginning of our lives. With her in her teen years, wanting to hang out with her friends and with the temper of a 13 year old girl, and me, still in elementary school, wanting to cling onto her like a parasite. We would soon leave this period of distrust and hatred behind after she had gone off to college and I would be entering my first year of high school. We found that we had common interests and that our personalities went hand in hand. From this, sprung the most meaningful family relationship that I have had. We would do everything together when she was home — eat dinner, go on walks, and hang out with family members we also started becoming closer to. In other words, we became each others’ best friends, which is something that I will be forever grateful for.

— Sarah, Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn

When I was younger I had a younger sister with a severe case of epilepsy. She was roughly a year younger than me and died when I was 3. We didn’t have a lot of time together, but the time we did was the best. She means a lot to me because many times I think to myself that that could’ve been me with the epilepsy, but it wasn’t, and that I have to live everyday of my life grateful for every second I’m here. My sister is the reason my family does a lot of the things we do. We are religious and stronger in faith now because of what happened to her, as much as its a grieving topic, it really helped bring my family closer together.

— Ryan, Baldwinsville

Like the narrator, I also have a “kuya.” He’s a senior now, but I really look up to him. Whether he knew it or not, he helped me get through some pretty tough times when I was learning what it was really like to be a teenager. He has served as a great example for me as a student, sibling, and person. Unfortunately, I barely get to see him anymore and, when I do, I realize just how much my big brother has changed in the meantime. I feel left behind. But at the same time, also like the narrator, I feel proud of him.

— Grace, Block 3, Hoggard High School

My mom and I have always shared a strong connection and an unbreakable bond — the typical mother-daughter duo. She has such a kind and selfless heart, she has a contagious laugh, and gives the best hugs in the entire universe. I wish I could be half the woman my mom is. She is such a strong soul. I wish I could give her anything and everything in the world, while also shielding her from pain and disappointment. I can tell my mom anything, and I know she won’t judge or ridicule me in any way — I feel safe with her. My mom takes care of me when I’m feeling unwell physically or mentally and knows how to make me smile after a long day. She has never missed a single orchestra concert or sports game of mine — she is incredibly supportive. She texts me good morning everyday and lets me know she’s praying for me while we are apart — she’s caring. She would sing me hymns and songs to rock me to sleep, and i still know them word for word — their lyrics bring tears to my eyes. I love my mom, and 1,000 words wouldn’t be enough to describe her love in every detail — the detail she deserves.

— Elizabeth, Glenbard West High School Glen Ellyn, IL

My dad is the one person in this planet that I would look up too when times get tough. He is my motivation to get up at 6:00 am to get ready for school and do the best I can to make him proud. My father, a energetic soul and hardworking man, will always be my #1 person. He is my role model to work hard and don’t give up. He is an example that I want to follow and a person I want to keep close because I know, despite whatever happens he will always be there to have my back and help in any way possible. Making him proud and getting a smile on his face is always the highlights of my day. I treasure all the littlest moments I have with him and remind myself how fortunate I am to have someone so uplifting and cheerful to make me smile.

— Zaida, Glenbard West

What’s Going On in This Graph? | Nov. 17, 2021

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What’s Going On in This Graph? | Nov. 17, 2021

3. Below the response box, there is an option to click on “Email me when my comment is published.” This sends the link to your response which you can share with your teacher.

4. After you have posted, read what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting a comment. Use the “Reply” button to address that student directly.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, teachers from our collaborator, the American Statistical Association, will facilitate this discussion from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern time.

5. By Friday morning, Nov. 19, we will reveal more information about the graph, including a free link to the article that includes this graph, at the bottom of this post. We encourage you to post additional comments based on the article, possibly using statistical terms defined in the Stat Nuggets.

We’ll post more information here on Thursday afternoon. Stay tuned!

More?

• See all graphs in this series or collections of 60 of our favorite graphs, 28 graphs that teach about inequality and 24 graphs about climate change.

• View our archives that link to all past releases, organized by topic, graph type and Stat Nugget.

• Learn more about the notice and wonder teaching strategy from this 5-minute video and how and why other teachers are using this strategy from our on-demand webinar.

• Sign up for our free weekly Learning Network newsletter so you never miss a graph. Graphs are always released by the Friday before the Wednesday live-moderation to give teachers time to plan ahead.

• Go to the American Statistical Association K-12 website, which includes teacher statistics resources, Census in the Schools student-generated data, professional development opportunities, and more.

Students 13 and older in the United States and the Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Found in the Crowd

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onlinefreecourse
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Found in the Crowd

Use your imagination to write the opening of a short story or poem inspired by this illustration — or, tell us about a memory from your own life that this image makes you think of.

Post it in the comments, then read the related article to learn more.

Want more Picture Prompts? Find them all in this column.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Word of the Day: fealty

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onlinefreecourse
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Word of the Day: fealty

1. the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)

2. serious faithfulness or fidelity

_________

The word fealty has appeared in 125 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on April 15 in the Opinion essay “Why My Family Is Watching ‘Gilmore Girls’” by Sarah Wildman:

The show, about a super-bonded (very) young single mom and her teenage daughter, debuted nearly 21 years ago on WB, the network that also brought you “Dawson’s Creek,” and was pitched at a similar audience: insouciant smart girls. It ran for seven seasons, six of which were helmed by the powerhouse writer-director Amy Sherman-Palladino.

… Now that I’m older than Lorelai, I find her problems soothing in their relative lack of complexity and Rory’s fealty to her mother enviable. We all loved their best-friend relationship. It was the perfect escape as 2020 gave way to 2021.

Can you correctly use the word fealty in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how fealty can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

If you enjoy this daily challenge, try one of our monthly vocabulary challenges.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

In All Things Give Thanks – Free Stylish Thanksgiving Printable

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onlinefreecourse
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In All Things Give Thanks – Free Stylish Thanksgiving Printable

In All Things Give Thanks - Free Stylish Thanksgiving Printable

Thanksgiving is far and above my favorite holiday.  I love that it allows us to just sit down and be satisfied with what we have and to cherish the people in our lives.  In the spirit of giving, I whipped up this free stylish Thanksgiving printable poster for you.  I think it should be our first horizontal poster so I would love to hear your thoughts about it. Would you like to see more printables in such a format?

Free Stylish Thanksgiving Printable

It features the same type of watercolor autumn leaves as our November Free Wallpaper. Don’t forget to grab it too! It will complement the printable on your office wall. I hope it gets you into the spirit of gratitude.

This is an A4 size printable.  Click the button below for the download.

For Personal Use Only.

Are you decorating your table for Thanksgiving? What kind of decoration do you use? Maybe there is something new we can design for you!

If you are looking for more Thanksgiving Freebies, make sure to check our free printables library

Looking for something specific?

If you have an idea for a printable, let us know in the comments! We are always looking for inspiration. If you decide to print today’s free Halloween printable poster, make sure to share photos of your decorated room with us via Instagram or Twitter.

Work and Home

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onlinefreecourse
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Work and Home

What do you think this image is saying? How does it relate to or comment on society or current events? Can you relate to it personally? What is your opinion of its message?

Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to learn more.

Want more Picture Prompts? Find them all in this column.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Word of the Day: boon

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onlinefreecourse
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Word of the Day: boon

noun: a desirable state

adjective: very close and convivial

_________

The word boon has appeared in 281 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on Sept. 22 in “What Are the Best Houseplants to Get You Through Winter?” by Margaret Roach:

Two days a week, the team is joined by Mr. Rosenbaum’s friend of 40 years, Don Miller, the company’s resident begonia expert and a leading breeder.

… He recommends grouping houseplants — especially begonias — on trays filled with pebbles and a bit of water, to create a happier microclimate. Or run a humidifier, a boon to plants (and plant parents) in the ultradry indoor heating season.

Can you correctly use the word boon in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how boon can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

If you enjoy this daily challenge, try one of our monthly vocabulary challenges.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

Weekly News Quiz for Students: World Series Champions, Concert Tragedy, Election Surprises

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onlinefreecourse
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Weekly News Quiz for Students: World Series Champions, Concert Tragedy, Election Surprises

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

What Do You Dream About Now?

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onlinefreecourse
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What Do You Dream About Now?

Do you remember your dreams most nights? Have you noticed a change in the kinds of dreams you have had during the pandemic?

In “An Almanac of Covid Dreams,” Hannah K. Lee illustrates some of the dreams that thousands of people shared on Twitter at the height of the pandemic in 2020:

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

  • What is your reaction to the article? Did any of the dreams shared by Twitter users remind you of your own pandemic dreams?

  • What is similar or different about your dream life since the pandemic began?

  • Why do you think people’s dreams changed?

  • Do you ever notice symbols or metaphors in your dreams that represent things happening in your life? Describe one symbol or metaphor in a dream.

  • Do you try to interpret or make meaning out of your dreams? Share one interpretation.

  • In 280 characters or less, write about a “Covid dream” you had. Then, create a simple illustration of the dream, like the ones in the featured article.

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

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