🐴 Why our book hit #1 (hint: thanks to you)

Big News: OpenEd is coming to Arkansas for the 2025-2026 school year, serving K-8 students, and applications are open now! If you know families in Arkansas who might be interested, please forward this email or share this link: opened.co/arkansas 

Thank you for being part of this movement—a movement that continues to grow in both impact and reach.

Speaking of impact, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the launch of "Open Education"...

To everyone who attended our launch event, to all those who contributed blurbs and feedback, to the early reviewers, and to all the families who have embraced this movement – THANK YOU! You helped Open Education hit #1 in multiple categories within hours of launch.

– Isaac

If you enjoy this edition, forward this email to a friend! First time reading? Subscribe and learn more at OpenEd.co.

💡 DEEP DIVE

THE FISH CLIMBING A TREE PROBLEM

One of the more provocative statements in the new book comes in the opening line of Chapter Three:

"LeBron James is a failure."

What do we mean by that? Well, by modern educational standards, one of history's greatest basketball players would be on academic probation:

• Field Goal %: 50% (F)

• 3-point Field Goal %: 35% (F)

• Free Throw %: 73% (C-)

Of course, in the real-world, we understand that excellence doesn't mean perfection.

The fundamental problem with standardized education is that it uses the same measuring stick for everyone, regardless of their natural abilities.

Matt employs a metaphor often attributed to Einstein: "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."

The graphic in the book shows different animals reacting to a "climbing the tree exam." The monkey is excited. The horse is perplexed. The fish is terrified.

Some kids are natural speed readers. Others are brilliant with spatial reasoning. Some connect deeply with people. Others think in systems and patterns.

None are defective. All are unique.

The solution isn't to shield children from their weaknesses – it's to help them recognize their unique strengths without shame, while creating appropriate challenges they can conquer.

Check out the full podcast:

🔨 TOOLS OF THE WEEK

1. OPEN EDUCATION (the Book)

Open Education is available as an ebook for just 99¢ (special launch pricing) and now in paperback. Grab both to highlight your favorite parts AND have a copy to lend out.

Get the ebook for 99¢ → 

Get the paperback →

2. Free Implementation Toolkit

Our 12-page hands-on workbook helps you start implementing the principles of open education right away (even before you’ve finished the book):

• 🗒️ The Sticky Notes Exercise: Create a "Discovery Zone" in your home where family members can post sticky notes answering: What do I like to learn? What am I good at? What do I want to improve?

• 🧭 Needs Mapping Guide: Match your child's interests with their educational needs and available resources.

• 🔍 Resource Analysis: Leverage what you already have before looking for new resources.

• 🏃‍♀️ Learner-Driven Sprints: Choose just one interest area for a two-week "sprint." Document the journey and celebrate what was learned, not just what was accomplished.

Download your free toolkit →

3. Review & Earn

Leave an honest review on Amazon and get:

• A free OpenEd t-shirt (Ed the horse or logo version)

• OR a $10 Amazon gift card

Just fill out this quick form after posting your review.

That’s all for this week!

– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)

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