Question about research in CTC

[momofgreatones]

For those of you who have done/are doing CTC, how do you have your child do the history research that is on day 1 of each unit? Do you have them answer the questions orally to you, have them do it informally in their heads and trust them to do it, or do you have them write the answers? If you have them write it, how involved do you make it? Do you require to write only answers, or complete sentences that contain the answers? I want to get some ideas on different ways to implement this part of the guide.

Thanks!

Monique

[rainbowacreshs]

Hi.. for my dd i gradually progressed her to writing out the answers in paragraph form. I thought with the way the questions are guided they lead to building an essay type of paper. I have my dd write out her answers because it helps me to know for a fact she is searching for her answers.

[momofgreatones]

You are right, that's kind of what I thought too. My girls look at me all horrified though when I suggested they start writing it out. So it got me thinking about how others are doing it.

[Heather4Him]

Great question, Monique!

I think our dd might look at me "all horrified" if I suggest writing the answers out, too! But, I think it will probably be a good thing to work towards, because she could use the practice.

[my3sons]

We did CTC last year, and my ds learned so much from the research. He really enjoyed it! I just had him research his answers, and then tell me when he was ready for me to ask the questions. He then orally answered the questions. Just to clarify, the HOD plans do not intend for dc to have to write their answers to the research questions. The reason Carrie chose to have dc answer the questions orally is because there is more than enough writing in CTC for those age levels already. It's good to know the academic purpose of each box, and the purpose of the research box is to help dc learn to skim for answers in various resources, and then orally formulate the information from the answers they've gathered. Here is a copy from the explanation of the research box in the introduction:

Day 1: Research questions are provided for students to answer on a topic inspired
by the history study. Students use an index or a search engine to skim to find
answers, and to formulate information from the answers they’ve gathered.
One or more comprehensive history encyclopedias (in print form, in CD, or on the
internet) is recommended for use with the lessons. A Bible dictionary or
encyclopedia would also be helpful.

The focus for teaching proper writing of paragraphs in answer to leading questions is accomplished through the written narration box plans, as well as in R & S English, and also Write with the Best. While you can certainly have your dc write their answers, that skill is already covered well and more than adequately enough with good direction about what the product should be within the other portions of the CTC plans. Here is a link where Carrie mentioned this as well:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6003&p=44182

HTH as you consider the research in CTC! Great question!

In Christ,
Julie

[Heather4Him]

Thanks Julie!! Your answers are always SO helpful!! I truly appreciate the time you take to answer our questions. In fact, it was one of your posts (about putting God first in our kid's homeschooling) that helped me finalize the decision to use HOD. You are truly a blessing to this board and all of us here.

[my3sons]

Thanks Julie!! Your answers are always SO helpful!! I truly appreciate the time you take to answer our questions. In fact, it was one of your posts (about putting God first in our kid's homeschooling) that helped me finalize the decision to use HOD. You are truly a blessing to this board and all of us here.

Oh thanks, Heather! I'm so glad that you've chosen to use HOD because you want God to be first in your life and in your dc's lives. There is no better reason to choose it! Thank you sharing this - it made my day.

Love in Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Monique,

You've already received some great answers! I was going to post the link where we shared our thinking behind the Research box in CTC, but I see Julie beat me to it! Way to go, Julie!

I'll paste my thoughts on this below, in case moms don't have time to check out the link:

I noticed your question and thought I'd let you know what we were thinking when we added the research assignment to the CTC guide. Depending on how old your student is, you may approach the research different ways. For a child who has already been through Preparing Hearts and has had your guided help training them how to do the research section, the research within CTC can be more independent. For those who have not been through Preparing, the research will need to be more parent led in CTC.

Within the CTC guide, we're thinking that there is more than enough writing for a 9-11 year old, so we planned for the research questions to be answered orally. If your kiddos aren't giving you the answers you're looking for, I'd sit down and help them through it. For research, you're wanting them to learn to skim for information, use headings within an index or table of contents to guide them as to where to look for answers, and also to be able to summarize the answer succinctly when they retell it to you.

For older students, asking them to write the answers would be fine too. We will have kiddos synthesize their answers into a postcard response format for research within RTR. So, the oral assignment within CTC is a step in that direction - preparing them for the written part that is to come in RTR.

Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Carrie