History: How to Read

Lacie and I are still novice learners.  She's still learning how to study and I'm still learning how to teach a bunch of disparate subjects.  Lacie was reading Light to the Nations.  I spent a few minutes showing her how I read.  One of the toughest skills to master is how to study.  When I read, I need to take notes.  I told her to start with the summary, vocabulary, and questions at the end of the chapter; the questions, summary, and vocabulary are clues to the most important aspects of the chapter.  I have to take notes. I may never refer to those notes again--but I must write things down. 

For example, right now, I'm teaching a Human Biology class.  I was a Biology major; I had several anatomy courses.  With all that said, I don't remember every detail.  Before class I prepare the weekly lesson.  I start by reviewing all of the headings and skimming the chapter.  Next, I make a list of notes for each major heading, say in digestion: major organs, how food forms a bolus and travels, through the digestive system, mechanical vs. chemical digestion, etc.  Then, I plan a quiz, activities, and labs. 

Once Lacie has an idea of the important points in the chapter, I made a point to show her how I focus on a new topic.  For example, in Chapter 1, there is a brief description of Herod the Great.  Who was Herod?  How was Herod appointed?  What is an Edomite?  What territory was under Roman rule?  Why was there a census?  The Bible mentions a census, too; how is this significant?  (It's historic evidence.) 

In traditional school settings, kids are accustomed to having a teacher tell them to read a chapter, define the vocabulary, and answer the questions.  This does not teach a child to study.  If the student asks herself questions, makes note of significant information, learns to recognize what is important to understand in the content, the child learns how to study--not just complete an assignment.  The home-school students learn how to study.  Too many kids in traditional school settings do not learn how to study.  Hopefully, Lacie will.