Learning Network: Minneapolis killings, TV reporting and peanut allergies

January 28, 2026

Good morning! Here’s what we have for students and teachers this week: our 10-question news quiz, an opportunity for students to ask a TV reporter questions, an Opinion video about law-abiding immigrants who have been jailed by ICE and a forum for students to react to the violent unrest in Minneapolis. Plus, much more. — The Learning Network

Ask a journalist questions about creating curated lists.

Two young men in hockey jerseys prepare for a face-off.

Hudson Williams, left, and Connor Storrie face off against each other in “Heated Rivalry.” Shivani Gonzalez writes about how the show has gone from a TV hit to IRL social sensation. Sabrina Lantos/Crave, via Associated Press

Shivani Gonzalez, a TV reporter, joins us in February to chat with teenagers about finding shows worth watching. We invite students to post their comments and questions for her by Feb. 15. Then she will respond to students in the comments section.

If students are participating in our related “My List” review contest, we hope they’ll take something away from this conversation that they can use in their own curating and writing.

Recent Times reporting about schools

A boy, as seen from above, writes cursive on a lined sheet of paper.

Bryan Anselm for The New York Times

New Jersey now requires third, fourth and fifth graders to learn cursive, joining other states bringing back the skill despite its limited modern use.
Fear from an ICE operation in Maine has led to widespread student absences among immigrant families, disrupting children's access to essential school services.
After this weekend’s winter storm, New York City public school students had remote learning Monday.
During the first year of his second term, President Trump has unleashed the power of the presidency against American colleges, with mixed results.
Yale University will now offer free tuition to undergraduates from families earning under $200,000, aligning with other top universities.

More teaching resources from The Learning Network

Curriculum Connection: Immigration enforcement and deportations are in the news. Invite students to watch this short Opinion video that profiles three people who came to the United States legally, but who were nonetheless jailed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We also have a forum for students to react to the immigration protests and killings of two American citizens in Minneapolis.
Writing Prompts: Recently we’ve asked students what makes them laugh, if we all need a little more boredom in our lives, and if ending a text message with a period is too harsh.
Science Practice: Peanut allergies have plummeted in children, a recent study shows. Have students learn more about the study to find out what’s going on.
Vocabulary Words: Can your students use precursor, voracious or strident in a sentence?

Classroom activity: Take our weekly news quiz.

Dave Sanders for The New York Times

What did TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, agree to do last week?
Why was a pet cow named Veronika in the news recently?
In what ways has Mr. Trump sought to expand executive power during his second term?

These are all questions in this week’s 10-question news quiz for students.

If you are looking for ways to bring current events into your classroom on a regular basis, try our weekly quiz, which always includes a mix of questions that address front page and political news along with stories especially engaging to teens.

We’d love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to LNfeedback@nytimes.com. More next week.

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