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I have a question about Preparing, the Research Box imparticular.

Let me make sure I understand this. It is recommended that we use Wikipedia, and the children are expected to skim the topic for information to answer the question?

For those of you who have done the program, how has this worked out?

Did you always use Wikipedia to find your answers or use another source?

I take it "skimming for information" is a skill that is to be learned in Preparing.

I'm wondering how my 8 year old is going to like Wikipedia....

You have it right. If you can find the information in another source you don't have to use Wikipedia. My ds struggled at first to skim and find the information in the long wikipedia articles. We worked on reading the subheadings to figure out the best place to find the answers. By working on it in the research box with something as challenging as Wikipedia he improved in other areas like Science when he has to find the answers to questions. This year in CTC he continued to do the research in the same way although many times for CTC he was able to use a bible dictionary or the bible itself. This then builds into RTR where the research box is researching places and writing in the notebooking pages the information that they find. I love how this moves it to the next level of putting things in their own words and picking out just the important information.

We have used Wikipedia, but have also used the Usborne Encyclopedia of World History (which we already owned) and some other reference books as needed. I usually have him read and answer at least two of the questions orally, but most of the time he wants to answer all of them!

I have sometimes used the Encyclopedia only because I have a nice set and want them to know how to look up information in a BOOK and not just rely on internet sources. But for the Wikepedia or other internet links, I put a folder on my browser favorites toolbar with my child's name on it and every week I would look ahead to see if there are any links for that unit, go to those sites, and save the link in my child's "folder" so they can just go to their folder and click on the one they need. It keeps it safe from entering or finding inappropriate material.

We are doing PHFHG this year and we have the World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia on our computer and primarily use that. If we can't find it in there then we will got to wikipedia. And I usually print off the page for my dd and let her read and glean what she needs from it. There are times she has used the Bible as the only reference or just a dictionary. We have an ancient print set of encyclopedias and have not had much luck finding what we needed for the topics required in PHFHG. I am hedging about using online sources much yet with my dd. That is just our family preference. We keep computer time to a bare minimum at this age in our house.

Edie

Such good answers already here - I'll just add that my ds has grown in this skill so much! We had to talk about how to get on the Internet, and use the "Favorites" links. We also talked about skimming subheadings, bolded words, words in blue being clickable, the table of contents on the page, pictures/captions, etc. We also had a good talk about how the Internet is something to monitor just like any other media device. This helped my dh and I set some important ground rules for computer use. Every family is different, but these were the main rules we decided upon...

1. Dc always need permission from us to use the computer.
2. The amount of time dc may be on the computer is decided by us, and is never to exceed 45 minutes a day.
3. Computers (like TV's/DVD players) must always be used on the main floor in rooms open to everyone (this keeps everyone accountable as people are constantly walking through or in the rooms the computers are in).
4. Chat rooms are off limits.
5. Internet use is with a parent nearby watching and is minimal.
6. We decide which computer games may be used (we've thrown gifts of games we consider inappropriate).

These are the main rules, but I know this will be a work in progress. We have also talked about the Internet being an amazing but dangerous invention. It can connect people worldwide, it can provide so much information at the stroke of a key, but it can also be a temptation - for too much time being wasted on it, for looking at or reading things that are sinful, and for assuming accuracy that may not be there.

My ds has learned to research using the Internet, books, encyclopedias, concordances, and dictionaries via HOD. He knows how to find answers to questions he has, and so many skills along the way. I love how HOD moves dc along in their skills from year to year, while offering options about how to go about using resources. I hope you can find a balance in teaching research skills too!

In Christ,
Julie

Wikipedia is a site that's open to anyone who wants to post, though. I worry about it being a completely solid site for information. I've heard of people going in and changing dates and facts just to be obnoxious.

Of course, I know of some textbooks that are probably about the same...

For safety, make sure to use a password protected filter on all computers. We use K-9, it's free, and you control the settings. There are other good ones available, many at fairly low costs. FYI.

FiveLittlePeaches,

The ladies have done such a great job of answering you! I'll just give you one other link that explains the reasons behind the Research Box and what the kiddos need to be getting out of this box skill-wise. I know you are in Preparing Hearts, rather than CTC, so I would plan to always sit next to the Preparing Hearts child while he/she does "Research" to guide and help in these important skills. Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6003

Blessings,
Carrie

I just want to thank each and every one of you for your response. I have concerns about my daughter being overwhelmed, but if we work on this together until she gets the hang of it, then it might not be so bad. I appreciate the "on-line" tips.

It's good to know what to expect from this skill, so thanks for info, Carrie.

Thanks.

FiveLittlePeaches,

My thinking with the research box in Preparing is for the parent to help with that in whatever capacity is needed for the child to be successful. Children adjust to research differently, and with my own son, I made sure to be present teaching him how to look at the headings to see where each question would logically be found, showing him how to skim under the information under that heading to find the answer to the question, and then quickly having him say to me what he discovered the answer to be. If he couldn't find it, I ran my finger under the information on the screen and had him read it aloud to me. Gradually his skills in this area improved, but these are all skills to be taught and are ones that don't come naturally. So, in short, do what is needed to keep this box moving along so the child does not get bogged down, giving as much help as needed for the child to be successful!

Blessings,
Carrie