Guided Learning and Independent Interpretation in High School
Heart of Dakota’s (HOD’s) high school guides include both guided learning and independent interpretation. I have loved this through the years! Charlotte Mason’s more open-ended skills which require independent, creative, more individualized responses are balanced with more guided learning with guided responses. You can see both represented in World History and in its assignments. Let’s take a look at the World History credit, for example.
Examples of Guided Learning and Open Interpretation in World History
In the first few weeks of plans, there are written narrations in response to the readings (more open interpretation), but there are also critical thinking questions from Short Lessons in World History (more guided learning). There are annotating, highlighting assignments that are shared in response to the readings (more open interpretation), but there are also detailed labeling/questioning history activities responses (more guided learning). Likewise, there are key word narrations (more open interpretation), but there are also critical thinking questions from Short Lessons in World History again (more guided learning). Finally, there are talking points narrations (more open with guided points), but there are also in-depth review questions that must be answered (guided).
Examples of a Meshing of Open Interpretation and Guided Learning Assignments
There are also what I’d call a meshing of open interpretation and guided learning assignments. For example, the Literary Synthesis Sheet for the Living Library includes guided components but also includes open interpretation. Likewise, the guided discussion of People, Places, and Events of World History includes cross references between The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible with a discussion that is definitely guided. Topic narrations are also a meshing of skills (narration open interpretation but with guided topics to address). We found each day to have a balance of open interpretation, guided learning, and a meshing of the two.
Applying HOD’s Skills of Open Interpretation and Guided Learning in College
Interestingly enough, my oldest son’s Liberty University courses follow suit. There are readings with guided learning (questions with more exact answers, quizzes, tests). But there are also ample assignments with open interpretation! Some examples would be entrepreneur business ideas, opinion responses to readings shared with the instructor, logged responses to other students’ posts, opinion essays, etc. For all his essays, he needs to cite the Bible – definitely like HOD! HOD prepared him well! Not only for college courses, but for applying his Christian faith in his daily life. This is such a blessing!
In Christ,
Julie
