Hi everyone,
If you happen to have kids (or know someone who does) here's a brand new free resource that I hope is helpful. It's a website for my video learning series, “Dune’s Island,†which aims to teach kids environmental stewardship in a really fun way through stories and characters. Within the site you can freely access all the episodes, support documentaries and even tie-in curriculum (like vocabulary, math problems, writing prompts and more.)
In the coming weeks, I’ll be expanding the site with all kinds of activities and more cool documentaries. Eventually, I'd like to incorporate VN style stories as well. If you feel that the site could be helpful to others, please feel free to share it on social media. In the meantime, as with all my work, any and all feedback is welcome and very much appreciated. Enjoy and stay safe.
https://www.dunesisland.org/
(https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/94883299_601849517079656_7775140886056271872_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=uQmPheQoEM8AX99wZ8s&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&_nc_tp=7&oh=e6563cdb015788b1a77698069ec81d6a&oe=5ECC938C)
If anyone happens to wonder what I get up to when I’m not creating music for everyone, I write and direct films that hopefully help kids (and grownups) learn important things.
Here’s a link to the page on my new site where you can freely access all of the “Dune’s Island†episodes. I’ve enabled the download function on Vimeo so you don’t even have to be online to share it with your kiddos.
https://www.dunesisland.org/episodes
Enjoy…and please feel free to share with anyone who might find it useful.
Stay safe and healthy.
I had always intended "Dune's Island" to be an immersive learning world. The idea was to produce films that teachers and home educators could actually pull lessons from to share with their students. After completing the episodes, a team of science teachers went through the films and created curriculum for grades K-5 that ties into the episodes.
Here's a link to it: https://www.dunesisland.org/curriculum
Please feel free to share it!
Nice work! Looks like it could be interesting for kids.
Will definitely have a look at this with my daughters, thanks Eric!
My kid needs to learn more english, before he's ready to watch it.
But looks great, good work. (nod)
Thanks, guys, I sincerely hope it's helpful! Getting the word out is a massive challenge...please help us share it with the world! :-)
Here’s our page where you can access all of the episodes. I think it looks pretty good for a community project!
https://www.dunesisland.org/episodes
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EXR8r52WAAINBf5?format=jpg&name=large)
If you've been following my music sharing thread over the years, you know that I'm not one to toot my own whistle, but I've been getting some very positive feedback about "Dune's Island" from parents and teachers so I included a "Praise for Dune's Island" page on the site.
Given the current environmental situation, I believe that this is a very important project. Getting the word out about it is a massive challenge, though...especially since it has no advertising budget. If you think "Dune's Island" might be helpful to someone you know, please share it with them. Thanks in advance!
https://www.dunesisland.org/
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EX6YnOwX0AEMl2s?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Watched an episode and it's really well made. Where is the filming location? I'm guessing Florida?
Wow cool project! Thanks for sharing. Will you be releasing PDF activities to be printed and engaged while the kids are watching the videos?
By the way, are you Uncle John? :)
Quietly enjoyable, thanks!
Not sure I believe those kids would just agree to pick up poop though.
Mandle, FL(orida) is mentioned in several places.
manannan, there are credits - he wrote and directed but didn't star.
Quote from: Mandle on Thu 14/05/2020 00:54:31
Watched an episode and it's really well made. Where is the filming location? I'm guessing Florida?
Thanks for checking it out...I really appreciate it! And yes, it's the east coast of Florida. :-)
Quote from: milkanannan on Fri 15/05/2020 11:29:16
Wow cool project! Thanks for sharing. Will you be releasing PDF activities to be printed and engaged while the kids are watching the videos?
Yep, that's the idea. The videos are intended to be a "jumping off" point to the follow-up activities. I had originally conceived the activities to be delivered to classrooms as software, but most classrooms in the U.S. aren't equipped with computers for every student so print-outs seem like the best option at the moment. Interactive software might be more viable for homeschooling families, though.
Quote from: Eric Matyas on Fri 22/05/2020 12:23:10
Quote from: milkanannan on Fri 15/05/2020 11:29:16
Wow cool project! Thanks for sharing. Will you be releasing PDF activities to be printed and engaged while the kids are watching the videos?
Yep, that's the idea. The videos are intended to be a "jumping off" point to the follow-up activities. I had originally conceived the activities to be delivered to classrooms as software, but most classrooms in the U.S. aren't equipped with computers for every student so print-outs seem like the best option at the moment. Interactive software might be more viable for homeschooling families, though, so perhaps this is something that can be explored. :-)
Quote from: Kweepa on Sat 16/05/2020 15:04:50
Quietly enjoyable, thanks!
Not sure I believe those kids would just agree to pick up poop though.
Mandle, FL(orida) is mentioned in several places.
manannan, there are credits - he wrote and directed but didn't star.
Thanks...I like how you called it "quietly enjoyable" because quiet is exactly what I was going for. I'm tired of programs made for kids that are loud and obnoxious...they don't have to be to keep their attention...it's insulting to their intelligence, actually...plus it gets on parents' nerves. The intent here was to make something that adults could enjoy with their kids. As for the poop (lol)...we actually showed Jordi scooping poop at the bird sanctuary...it like an enormous litter box!
Anyhow, for you guys who haven't seen it yet...
Here's Episode 1 of my free learning series. Mr. Binnacle sends Dune and friends to the inlet to try to spot Buster, an endangered sea turtle whose tracking device is faltering. For ages 7-12. Please share with family, friends and teachers! :-) https://www.dunesisland.org/
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYEt3ikXsAAlpB2?format=jpg&name=small)
I've watched the first couple with my girls and they enjoyed them. Planning on watching the rest soon. Nicely done! ;-D
Yeah, with the island setting and it being so low-key, I'm getting Vi på Saltkråkan (http://xn--vi%20p%20saltkrkan-juaj50kka) vibes.
Quote from: CaptainD on Fri 22/05/2020 13:22:05
I've watched the first couple with my girls and they enjoyed them. Planning on watching the rest soon. Nicely done! ;-D
Thanks, I appreciate it! :-)
Here’s a short clip from one of our episodes: “Pelican Problems.â€
https://vimeo.com/450488297 (https://vimeo.com/450488297)
All of the episodes are free to watch and even download to your computers so you don’t have to be online to use them. You'll find them here:
https://www.dunesisland.org/
I sincerely hope they are helpful to you and your families!
Hi everyone,
I’m working on worksheets and activities that parents and teachers can download for their students…the idea being that the island serves as a microcosm and provides a way for kids to build their math, science and reading skills. I think this will be a really cool way for kids to learn.
If you haven’t seen the videos yet, here’s a link the website:
https://www.dunesisland.org/
Check them out…they are free to watch and download.
Eventually I’d like to have tie-in video games…any ideas?