Each Wednesday we shine a spotlight on five student activities that support a broad range of learners. In this week’s roundup of accessible activities, we invite students to explore the world of skateboarding, write a six-word memoir about their pandemic experience, and try their hand at the New York Times Spelling Bee game.
Note: To learn more about this new weekly feature, read our introductory post. Please share your thoughts in the comments section or by emailing us at LNFeedback@nytimes.com.
1. Learn about skateboarding and reflect on communities where you can express your full self.
This Lesson of the Day brings students into the world of skateboarding through photographs and poetic language. Then, it asks students to explore the cardinal rule of skateboarding — “dare to be you” — as they think about a community where they feel supported and respected.
2. Write a six-word memoir about your pandemic experience.
In this Student Opinion, students learn about the six-word memoir, and then write their own about the last 19 months. In the comments section, they can submit their pandemic six-word memoirs and read hundreds of examples written by other students.
3. Watch a conversation with Native Americans on the topic of race.
This Film Club focuses on a 2017 documentary featuring seven people with a range of perspectives on what it means to be Native American today. Students will watch the film and respond to the questions, sharing their reflections in the comments section.
4. Participate in a New York Times Spelling Bee game.
While The New York Times’s best-known word game may be the Crossword, educators should not overlook its younger, less intimidating cousin: Spelling Bee. The hive-shaped Spelling Bee challenges readers to make as many words as they can from a set of seven unique letters. Students can try the five puzzles in this resource, organized from easiest to hardest.
5. Share what “spooky season” means to you.
In this Picture Prompt, students react to an image and describe what they love — or hate — about October, and this spooky time of year. They can share their descriptive writing in the comments section.
