This is not your typical movie review. I can only say I wish I had seen Nim's Island sooner. For all of you home schoolers and un-schoolers out there, you have got to see this movie! I have yet to watch a movie that portrays our educational philosophy and choice in better light. And to all you critics of un-schooling, or home schooling for that matter, get out and rent it; your views on us will change.
I know Nim's Island is not the best of the best, and it has received several negative remarks. Movie buffs have found its flaws, and Jodie Foster fans were unhappy with her role. However, as an un-schooler myself, I found it refreshing. And as a parent of young children, I found it uplifting, enchanting, and heart-warming.
The movie starts out as a picture book narrated by the child star of the movie. This shows her creativity and genius personality. As the picture book fades, and we start to see the real world, Nim introduces herself as a home schooler (more accurately, an un-schooler). She goes on to explain how her animal friends have taught her everything she needs to know about the world around her. We see her learning physics from a bird and teaching soccer to a seal.
Nim then explains how there are other things she needs to know, but she gets that information from the books her father brought with them. She shows her imagination when reading these texts. Her reading comes to life all around her. She lives the words she reads, and experiences the cultures on the pages.
Throughout the movie we get little glimpses of her education life. From helping her father restore power to their home, to building contraptions to navigate the island. Her father even allows this eleven year old to stay behind and help deliver baby sea turtles while he goes out on a 4 day expedition. She is left with the task of answering his email, and acting as his assistant. Many viewers interpreted this as her father putting the work load on her, but we can see that this is her competence and choice.
I know Nim's Island is not the best of the best, and it has received several negative remarks. Movie buffs have found its flaws, and Jodie Foster fans were unhappy with her role. However, as an un-schooler myself, I found it refreshing. And as a parent of young children, I found it uplifting, enchanting, and heart-warming.
The movie starts out as a picture book narrated by the child star of the movie. This shows her creativity and genius personality. As the picture book fades, and we start to see the real world, Nim introduces herself as a home schooler (more accurately, an un-schooler). She goes on to explain how her animal friends have taught her everything she needs to know about the world around her. We see her learning physics from a bird and teaching soccer to a seal.
Nim then explains how there are other things she needs to know, but she gets that information from the books her father brought with them. She shows her imagination when reading these texts. Her reading comes to life all around her. She lives the words she reads, and experiences the cultures on the pages.
Throughout the movie we get little glimpses of her education life. From helping her father restore power to their home, to building contraptions to navigate the island. Her father even allows this eleven year old to stay behind and help deliver baby sea turtles while he goes out on a 4 day expedition. She is left with the task of answering his email, and acting as his assistant. Many viewers interpreted this as her father putting the work load on her, but we can see that this is her competence and choice.
Comments
Thanks Sue :)
Sue in Michigan
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/25/2009
We just got Nim's Island last week from Netflix. We loved it too! I should show it to all my naysaying family members and tell them, "THIS is homeschooling!"
I'm glad to hear someone else liked it:)
I felt exactly the same when I watched Nim's Island with my kids. I homeschool my children and was homeschooled for a small portion of my education. It was very refreshing to see positive attention given to the homeschooling life. Plus, it was a cute movie. :-)
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