Weekly Roundup: From Bullies to Night Owls
Welcome back to the weekly edition of OpenEd Daily!
đź’ˇ THOUGHTS
Naval Ravikant observes
that bullying is almost non-existent when kids can choose their learning environment. Just like adults can walk away from toxic situations, educational freedom creates natural boundaries.
[WATCH/LISTEN]
When her daughter struggled with reading, Krystle Cordingley refused to stop at a dyslexia diagnosis. Her persistence led to a surprising discovery. Now 13, Krystle’s daughter reads at a college level, processing over 800 words per minute.
Yes, You Can Teach!
Remember: The most important teaching qualification is caring about your child’s development. You don’t need to know everything – you just need to know how to find resources.
đź“Š TRENDS
North Carolina’s SparkNC program
is letting students design their own courses, reaching 1,500 learners across 17 districts.
Career-Connected Credentials
Guilford County’s “Signature Career Academies” saw credential earnings soar from 2,966 to 10,766 in just three years.
The Night Shift
Jamie Lesko – a former special ed teacher turned homeschooling mom – embraced the benefits of flexible scheduling when she found that her daughter did her best math work after 10pm.
⚒️ TOOLS
The Two-Week Rule
Before switching curricula, follow Jamie’s advice and give it two weeks before giving up.
Vision Reading Academy
Is your child struggling to read? Before assuming your child is “just a slow reader,” there are specific patterns to watch for that might signal treatable vision issues rather than cognitive challenges. Learn more at VisionReadingAcademy.com.
Code.org
Free, self-paced coding education, perfect for tech wizards and beginners alike
(TRIVIA) OF THE DAY
Night Owl Numbers 🦉
Q: What famous genius insisted on only sleeping 2 hours per night, preferring to work in 20-minute naps throughout the day?
A: Leonardo da Vinci! Like our modern night owls, he knew his peak productivity hours weren’t 9-to-5.
That’s all for this week, folks! Have a great weekend.
– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)