Good morning! As the 2025-26 academic year winds down, we invite you to use our lesson plan and related writing prompt to reflect. When you’re finished, play some NYT games, with advice from teachers about why and how. — The Learning NetworkHow did you grow and change this school year? Try our ideas for reflecting.
You might have begun the school year with our 10 ideas for building community, all of which were inspired by Times features. Now, as the academic year comes to a close, here is another list, one both teachers and students can use — ideally working together. Choose from among these ideas to reflect on the year that was, think about what you and your students learned, note how you grew and changed — and consider what it all means for next year. Then, both students and teachers are invited to use our companion writing prompt to tell us what you discovered. Recent Times reporting about education
More teaching resources from The Learning Network
An activity for your students: Play some NYT Games.
Wordle? Spelling Bee? Flashback? Connections? Teachers across subject areas and levels say Times games have become part of their routines. The Games team carefully constructs its puzzles to “generate a satisfying friction between difficulty and delight” so players get an “aha” moment. Teachers tell us that when their students play, they are engaged and thinking critically, discussing strategy, focusing on details, testing logic, refining solutions and bonding with one another — all in the few minutes it takes to solve a puzzle before they move on to other work. Here are some Times games to play, along with many suggestions from teachers, free articles about gaming strategy, and more. Before you go, see what teens are saying about parenting.
Are parents doing too much? Teenage responses varied — more so than usual, in fact. Here is a selection. What do your students think? Helicopter parenting can make kids afraid to make mistakes, solve problems on their own, or take healthy risks. Instead of preparing children for the real world, it can create young adults who depend on others to make decisions for them. The idea of parents underachieving doesn’t mean being careless. It means stepping back enough to let kids struggle a little. — Jaiden, Valley Stream Having parents that are “doing too much” is a privilege that not a lot of children get. There needs to be a balance of putting in effort and being there for your kid, while also living your own life. If certain parents want to please their kids by spending an extra hour of their own time cutting sandwiches into fun shapes, then why shouldn’t they? — Nika, Philadelphia My parents were not overly present in my academics, so when they did show up, it mattered enough that those moments became my happiest memories. My Dad came into my pre-k class to play us one of my favorite songs on his guitar. This is my favorite and happiest memory from pre-k other than the time my Mom came in, to talk to my class about her career. — Maggie, Virginia I believe parents should be fully involved. I plan to attend every game and recital when I have kids because our kids’ happiness and upbringing are our priorities. It’s exhausting, but it’s known that it’s coming. Being part of their lives and giving them a good childhood is what it’s all about — N., New York I had the privilege of growing up in a safe neighborhood, and for the most part, I was left to roam around with my brother and our neighbors. No one had a phone; our only queue to go inside was when the streetlights turned on. My favorite example of our 90s-esque childhood was the first summer both my parents were working, and my brother and I were left on our own. My brother and my primary means of sustenance that summer were dried mango and turkey snack sticks. It’s one of my favorite summers to date. — Una, Abington Friends School We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to LNfeedback@nytimes.com. More next week.
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