Coronavirus Unit: 8-Part Unit to Help Students Understand This Evolving Epidemic

The coronavirus is something shaping the media and greater societies, and is something that in many ways, we're just starting to understand as new situations (more confirmed cases) and more impacts on industries like retail, business, and travel unfold. As schools continue to close and teachers and administrators begin considering remote "work-from-home" education options, it's increasingly important for student to understand what the coronavirus is, how it's spreading, and its potential impact on society. This unit is meant as a basic discussion guide for teachers, with carefully crafted and highly relevant writing prompts for students. It can be used in all kinds of ways -- in conjunction with a history classes (perhaps as part of a greater plague study), science classes (perhaps as part of a biology unit), English classes, for investigative journalism courses, global or international classes, etc. These lessons are also designed to be delivered and managed remotely, should your school close for the coronavirus. Students, for example, are encouraged to work in teams remotely via chat, video, audio, etc. to share and develop their ideas, and receive instructor feedback. These are just some ideas. Use this however it best fits in your lesson plans.