Introduction to History Day

It's early to be thinking about History Day, but it's probably not too early to play around with ideas. And it's not too early for me to recruit help. :)

Go to the History Day website and explore! http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/

The theme this year is Innovation in History: Impact and Change. As they say on the web site: You need to keep the entire theme in mind: "In History," as well as "Innovation" as you begin your research. While the most obvious topics come from science and technology like the Gutenberg Press, or discoveries like Isaac Newton's laws of gravity, or newer inventions like the automobile, the theme is really much broader than that. "Innovation" suggests creative new approaches to any facet of life.

Personally, I immediately think of Photography. Impressionism. Jazz. The Bill of Rights. (Any aspect of the Constitution!) Crop rotation. Drip irrigation. Jeans. Statistical analysis. (Really!)

For the first part of the project, the CBA part (the state-mandated Classroom Based Assessment), I give lots of directions and guidance. Kids will each do individual research all fall and create their individual annotated bibliography using MLA format.

I could definitely use parents to come in and work with students one-on-one to help guide them through the bibliography process.

They will each write an individual paper in January synthesizing what they learned.

I would also welcome adult readers of the papers. The more comments and guidance, the better prepared the kids will be as they get ready to face judges. The adults could all come to my house for an evening of reading and talking.

Then in February the kids take their research and their paper and use that work to create a History Day project. At that point, I direct them to the History Day materials (printed and online). I do not spend time at school working on the History Day projects—that’s done at home. They also write a process paper to chronicle their journey.

By the way,the HD project can involve partners, so kids can work individually on the same topic and then combine their work in February. So kids who want to work with partners need to be considering topics together over the next few weeks.

There are five options:

exhibits

historical research paper

website

documentary

dramatic presentation

Nationwide, most kids at the junior level choose to do exhibits. You cannot have a partner if you write a paper. On the other hand, if you do an historical research paper, you do not have to write the process paper. If you choose to do a website, you must use their system! Check out website rules at http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/images/uploads/WebSitebookletinsert.pdf.

If there are parents who would like to work with small groups to help coach one kind of project, that would be terrific! Are you a writer, do you know how to make movies or websites, can you help kids who want to do plays? We can schedule time during lunch, advisories, or before or after school for small groups to meet with an adult coach.

I really appreciate all the help I can get. And I give backrubs!

09.09.2009. 22:51

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