IN THIS EDITION:

🍎 The catastrophic blunder that sparked the French and Indian War
🍎 How Angel Studios is bypassing the Hollywood gatekeepers
🍎 Win a Ford F-250 by pre-ordering movie tickets (seriously)

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🚨 APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENSION

Due to popular demand, applications for the '25-'26 school year are now open through July 6. After that, you’ll have until July 15 to complete your enrollment.

Questions? Attend an info session.

Already applied? Share with friends in AR, KS, IN, MN, MT, OR, and UT—or tag one friend on Facebook 🫱 here 🫲

💡 1 THOUGHT

Benton Crane, producer of Young Washington (July 4, 2026), shared a rarely-told story:

At 22, George Washington accidentally triggered a global war:

Thankfully, that's not where the story ends.

Hear the full conversation on this week’s special 4th of July podcast.

📊 2 TRENDS

1. YOU–THE AUDIENCE—ARE NOW GREENLIGHTING MOVIES - Angel Studios' "Young Washington" is slated to hit 2,000+ theaters on July 4, 2026, but not because Hollywood greenlit it.

As Benton explains:

"Angel Studios is putting the power of the gatekeepers in the viewers' hands. Hollywood is run by a few people deciding what gets made. Angel Studios lets viewers decide what stories should be told."

Their 1.2 million "Angel Guild" members vote on projects globally. Ticket pre-sales opened today—a year early—to demonstrate audience demand.

2. THE MOST AMERICAN GIVEAWAY EVER -

Pre-order your movie ticket, and you could win a restored Ford F-250 in honor of America's 250th birthday.

Today only: Each ticket earns 97 (!) bonus entries. (Because nothing says "American independence" like voting with your wallet and maybe winning a classic American truck.)

🔨 3 TOOLS

1. Be Washington Interactive Experience - Mount Vernon's free online game puts middle and high schoolers in Washington's shoes, making real decisions he faced with advisors providing historical context. Navigate crises like the Whiskey Rebellion and learn history through decision-making rather than memorization.

2. Liberty's Kids (Free on YouTube) - 40 episodes of historically accurate Revolutionary War content featuring young Washington, narrated by Walter Cronkite as Benjamin Franklin.

3. Tuttle Twins American History Books - Age-appropriate, honest portrayals of American history including Washington's real story.

ICYMI - TOP PICKS FROM 2025

OpenEd Daily is taking a short break (weekly Friday issues continue). Here's a mid-year roundup.

💡 TOP 7 THOUGHTS

1. Brutally honest valedictorian regrets being top of class.
2. Sal Khan: What if we built houses like we teach students?
3. Adam Savage demolishes the myth of standardized testing
4. The hidden cost of the 30-hour school week
5. Do homeschool kids turn out weird?
6. Coach Meg Thomas on how to stop raising entitled kids
7. Tuttle Twins creator Connor Boyack on “just in case” vs. “just in time” learning

📊 TOP 5 TRENDS

1. Mike Rowe explains why college debt is crushing an entire generation
2. Matt Bowman imagines how standardized education first emerged in the 1880s
3. 7 Uncomfortable Truths About Education from Award-Winning Teacher John Taylor Gatto
4. Kerry McDonald: “Boys Are Falling Behind But New School Models Can Help”
5. Everything you need to know about Utah Fits All vs. OpenEd

🔨 TOP 10 TOOLS

1. Free Homeschool Curriculum: The OpenEd Guide to Quality Resources on a Budget
2. IKEA Home Learning Starter Pack: Build Your Learning Haven for Under $100
3. The Learning Scientists - Making scientific research on learning more accessible to students, teachers, and other educators.
4. How to Use Assignment Sheets for Your Homeschool Students (A Humble Place)
5. The Best Online Learning Games for Kids
6. Ramsey Homeschool Curriculum
7. The Smithsoniain Learning Lab
8. Hoffman Academy - YouTube Piano Lessons
9. Simple Joyful Art
10. Math Academy

Got suggestions for blogs or resources to be featured? Email Charlie at cdeist@opened.co.

That’s all for this week!

– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)