Anyone that has or regularly interacts with children knows that as much as their ingenuity leads them to surprisingly accurate insights into the world around them, their novel way of thinking also results in conclusions which are…incorrect.
The kind of logic humanity has been practicing since the days of the old philosophers was designed around adults, so when children use it, it can lead to comical results. This episode of This American Life talks about the unique logic children operate by, and the humorous conclusions it leads them to.
Crash Course is a YouTube channel that was created by The Fault in Our Stars author John Green and his brother, Hank. It features brief (10-20 minute) educational videos accompanied by animations, and has a number of playlists in all kinds of school subjects from physics to media literacy. I’ve linked the ones below which deal with subjects we learn about in Odyssey, but all of them provide relatively easy-to-understand (logically organized, but very fast), educational content accompanied by fun cartoons. While the information may be too fast-moving for very small children, anyone from middle-school to adulthood should be able to enjoy it. If you are interested in Crash Course videos for younger children, they also have a science channel aimed at that audience.
This crash course in literature begins with why we read, and then examines classics like Romeo and Juliet and The Great Gatsby. Be warned, this series is a little spicier than the US History one (Green “swears” by saying the names of his favorite authors– Ex: “what the Fitzgerald?”).
Hank Green, who teaches this course, reminds me really strongly of Meghann, if you’re a current or post Odyssey student, you’ll know what I mean.
This crash course in U.S. history playlist has 48 videos, and starts in the 16th century with Native American history.
Odyssey, Extra! 