National History Day in Minnesota

Program Basics

History Day Philosophy

History Day Philosophy

History Day is…

An Applied Learning Program

Where students become

Historians!

History Day Philosophy

Applied Learning Program

Student as Historian

Inter-disciplinary

History Day PhilosophyApplied Learning Program

Kid as Historian

Inter-disciplinary

Meeting State Standards

Core skills

Core skills in the ELA Standards

ResearchHigher Level:

Thinking Writing Reading

Organization

Collaboration

Balancing Content and Skills Standards

History Day Requires Deep Content

Knowledge

Balancing Content and Skills Standards

History Day Requires Deep Content

Knowledge

Teachers Can Keep Topics Within

Curriculum Content

History Day Evaluation by the Numbers…

70

64

60

70% Students who report that their

research skills “improved greatly”

64% Teacher who report that “Below Average”

students receive higher grades for History Day

60% Parents who reported that their child had to read more than usual for their

History Day project

Phases of History DayNuts and Bolts

Introduction Research and Analysis

Project Creation

Phases of History DayNuts and Bolts

Introduction

- Topic choice – based on theme

- Category- Group or

Individual

Research and Analysis

Project Creation

Phases of History DayNuts and Bolts

Introduction

- Topic choice – based on theme

- Category- Group or

Individual

Research and Analysis

-Not a report-Thesis-Connection to theme

Project Creation

Phases of History DayNuts and Bolts

Introduction

- Topic choice – based on theme

- Category- Group or

Individual

Research and Analysis

-Not a report-Thesis-Connection to theme

Project Creation

-5 categories-Different skills require for each

Category BasicsResearch Paper

A written demonstration of history based on the most traditional form of historical presentation

Limit of 1500-2500 student composed words

Category BasicsExhibit

A visual presentation of history based on the work of museum curators and exhibit designers

500 Student composed word limit

Illustrated with images, quotes, graphs, maps, etc.

Category BasicsPerformance

A live presentation of a student composed script

10 minutes

Category BasicsDocumentary

A media presentation with recorded narration illustrated by images, graphics and video

10 minutes

Can integrate music and interviews

Category BasicsWebsite

A computer-based project

Weebly – through NHD

1200 student composed words, images, videos, music, quotes.

It All Begins with the Theme…2009 – The Individual in History: Actions and

Legacies

2010 – Innovation in History: Impact and Change

2011 – Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences

2013 – Turning Points in History

It All Begins with the Theme… 2009 – The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies

2010 – Innovation in History: Impact and Change

2011 – Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences

2012 – Revolution, Reaction, Reform In History

2013 – Turning Points in History

2014 – Rights and Responsibilities in History

2014 NHD Theme – “Rights and Responsibilities in History”

Defining Rights:-Different from a privilege-Establishment of a right-Denial of rights

Defining Responsibility:- What does it mean to be responsible-What happens if someone fails to act responsibly?

Looking at the relationship between rights and responsibilities

20+ years old for topics

The Contest School Events:

Take place in individual schools, organized by a lead teacher or coordinator—generally occur in February - 30,000 student

participation

The Contest

Regional Events:Defined by ECSU boundaries, 13 contests occur throughout the

month of March – 4500 students participate at colleges and universities.

School Events:Take place in individual schools, organized by a lead teacher or

coordinator—generally occur in February - 30,000 student participation

The Contest

Regional Events:Defined by ECSU boundaries, 13 contests occur throughout the

month of March – 4500 students participate at colleges and universities.

State Event: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

May 4, 2013

School Events:Take place in individual schools, organized by a lead teacher or

coordinator—generally occur in February - 30,000 student participation

The Contest

National Event: Univ. of MD, College Park

June, 2014

Regional Events:Defined by ECSU boundaries, 13 contests occur throughout the

month of March – 4500 students participate at colleges and universities.

State Event: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

May 3, 2014

School Events:Take place in individual schools, organized by a lead teacher or

coordinator—generally occur in February - 30,000 student participation

5 Elements of a good projectTopic Connection to theme

Narrow and focused Historical significance

5 Elements of a good projectTopic

Thesis Statement

Arguing a pointUses theme wordsStates impacts

5 Elements of a good projectTopic

Thesis Statement

Organization

Easy to followAppropriate colorsIncorporates primary and

secondary sources

5 Elements of a good projectTopic

Thesis Statement

Organization

Impact/Significance

Choosing a topic with clear/strong impacts

Proving significance with primary sources

Proof of change after a Turning Point

5 Elements of a good projectTopic

Thesis Statement

Organization

Impact/Significance

Research

Primary and secondary sourcesVariety of sourcesValidity of sourcesQuality vs. quantity

Assessment - Historical Quality

Assessment - Connection to the Theme

Assessment- Clarity of Presentation

What is my role as the parent/guardian?

Selecting a Topic and Doing Research

Be a sounding board for your child’s ideas as they work on selecting a topic.

Are there any interesting local topics of family connections that your child may not know about?

Encourage your child to explore resources beyond the Internet. Help your student access a wider variety of resources by providing transportation to a local library or Hullabaloo

Adults can help students locate materials, but students should take notes, conduct interviews, decide on a source’s potential usefulness for their entry, etc.

What is my role as the parent/guardian?

Selecting a Topic and Doing Research

Creating a Project

The final project must be the work of the student. You can do things with the student but not for them unless it would be dangerous for the student to complete the task themselves. Students are responsible for the design, construction, and presentation for their entries.

Students may need help and advice about the mechanical aspects of creating their entry, using certain software for example, but the students are responsible for using that knowledge to put the project together themselves.

Performance students may have costumes produced for them, but the design, choice of fabrics, etc. must be their own

Be supportive of your student as they complete a long-term project. Assist them with creating a project timeline and help them manage deadlines.

What is my role as the parent/guardian?

Selecting a Topic and Doing Research

Creating a Project

NHD Competitions

Help at your local school or regional contest. Consider volunteering as a judge!

Calm nervous students and help them make sure they have all necessary materials for the competition

Students are responsible for setting up their own exhibits and props and for running their own documentary equipment at competitions.

Remind your student that creating a NHD project is a huge accomplishment and to be proud of this regardless of the result of the competition cycle.

As a parent, why should I support this project?

College readinessMeet Social Studies and ELA

standardsLooks good on college applicationsInterview/communication skillsReading/writing skillsResearch skillsResponsibility and time

management

Tips for Parents Help students choose a solid topic Reinforce the important skills learned throughout the process Stay involved with due dates and check-in points provided by teacher Don’t go spend $100 on exhibit board materials. Expensive

does not equal quality! If you notice something at an event, find someone in a bowling

shirt right away Don’t get caught up in the competition Remember judging is subjective Volunteer to judge to gain a new perspective