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Question re: researching "Probe" in Con Lit (US History I)

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 8:51 pm
by jenn in nc
I'm wondering what you all are doing with this assignment in each episode in Constitutional Literacy? We're having some trouble with it on two fronts.

First, it takes quite a while for my son to do a decent amount of research online and then write thoughtfully and intelligently about the issue, so we're having trouble keeping this assignment to a reasonable length of time when there are still other subjects to be completed in the day. Normally we schedule about 30 minutes for this box.

Second, any suggestions on how my son should research these topics without constantly running into a lot of undesirable material online? Even just a standard news site can be pretty jam packed with content that is not helpful for a teen guy. We do have filters on our computers to block ads and limit content, but we haven't (up to now) allowed our dc to spend a lot of time on news websites.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks in advance!

Jenn

Re: Question re: researching "Probe" in Con Lit (US History

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:43 pm
by LynnH
My son was having a similar struggle. He just couldn't find the information needed easily. I tried to help him early on, but I also had a lot of trouble finding information to answer the question, especially from more conservative websites. He got where he was not getting what I wanted him to out of the curriculum because of his frustrations, so I made the choice to let him do these as an oral discussion between the 2 of us. It's not how it is scheduled and I very rarely decide to have him do an assignment differently from what is scheduled, but I felt it was best for him in this instance. He went from dreading this class each day to actually not minding it and he has used what he learned to have intelligent discussions about current events and will give his opinion on if things really are a constitutional right or not. In your case I don't know if it would work to tell him to find what information he can within a certain time period and then move on. I don't have any advice on what to do about the content. The news sites are not good even with ad blockers and filters.

Re: Question re: researching "Probe" in Con Lit (US History

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 8:39 am
by jenn in nc
Hi Lynn,

That makes a lot of sense and I think I'll just follow your lead on this. I'm thinking oral discussions would be much better, given how difficult it is to do adequate research in such a short time frame. In fact I think what I'll have him do is write a paragraph or two, narration style, telling what he has learned and cementing it all in his own mind... then later we can discuss any current events that relate to that over dinner or something.

You and your son have been about half a guidebook ahead of us for a while now and you've always been such a help to me! Thanks for the advice, I think it's the perfect solution.

I think of you and your son often since I read about what you are going through and my constant prayer is that God will give you an abundance of wisdom and peace, and healing for your son.

Warmly,

Jenn

Re: Question re: researching "Probe" in Con Lit (US History

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:29 am
by my3sons
My son, Wyatt, is finishing his last unit of USI History this coming week - hooray! It is always such a feeling of accomplishment to be at the end of a guide - such growth can be seen! The online research component of Constitutional Literacy has been one such area I've seen incredible growth in. In visiting with Wyatt just now, many of the "Probe" questions direct him to an exact website, which he uses. When a specific website is not given, Wyatt types the exact phrase (i.e. Planned Parenthood vs. Casey) in Google and usually chooses the Wikipedia article to read on it. We have the rule that another person must be in the room when the computer is being used, doors are left open, and the computer screen can be seen easily by anyone in the house in the near vicinity. One of the goals of this assignment is for students to learn to responsibly research using media devices (such as the Internet), and to then express their findings in written form. This is a skill Wyatt will need very soon for college - I am thankful he is working on it right now with all of us by his side! It has been a good growth experience for him. He has been able to complete this activity within 30 minutes for the bulk of the guide, with it being longer the first fourth to third of the guide. When in doubt, I go back to Carrie's descriptions of courses in the Introduction of the high school guides. They help me focus on the purpose of each part of the plans and also aid me in pressing onward if the skill is a challenge! The Introduction of the "Probe" portion of the course and its 40% weighted grading helps clarify its purpose is the following...

Completion of Assigned “Probe” Research Responses for each Episode in the Constitutional Literacy Workbook (40% of total grade)
(Note: Follow the directions in Hearts for Him Through High School: U.S. History I to know which “Probe” assignments to complete for each episode listed below. Grades for “Probe” responses are based upon the student’s ability to use research and use information from the text to formulate a well- written, one-paragraph response that applies concepts learned in the episode to contemporary issues. Each episode has at least one assigned “Probe” response.)


So, I am thinking the research and the writing/typing of the response is worth doing, unless the oral response is a needed modification, which it would be for students with dysgraphia, etc. I just wanted to mention the purpose of this activity and the way in which the grades are assigned, but you will know best. Familial goals about computer use and what constitutes proper use varies and should also be respected. You will know best how that plays into the completion of this portion of the course!

In Christ
Julie

Re: Question re: researching "Probe" in Con Lit (US History

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:19 pm
by jenn in nc
Julie thank you for your thoughtful and helpful response, as always! I did go back and reread the instructions at the beginning of the manual to see if I had missed anything, that is always such a good idea because I do tend to forget things as we go along through a guide. And I can see your point and the value that would be gained by learning to research. I'll definitely think things through as we go through this next section and get back to more Probe assignments.

I love your family's rules on internet usage - so wise and helpful. I think I'll implement something very similar here.

Thanks again to both of you, Julie and Lynn. What a blessing to have other moms with so much wisdom in the trenches with me. What would I do without you guys? :)

Jenn