SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR

PURPOSE

The student will:demonstrate the use of analytical scientificprocedures in a visual and verbal presentationby:

– Selecting a significant topic of study– Gathering and analyzing data– Interpreting findings– Reporting conclusions– Using appropriate social studies methods and

skills

The teacher will:

use varied instructional techniques for

guiding students in understanding social

studies concepts and research methodology .

The fair will:

improve students’ skills in social studies

through

– evaluation of student work according to established criteria, and

– communication with judges, fair officials, and their teachers.

The fair will:

create public awareness of social studies

through

-publicity;

-displays of exhibits in public venues and

business places following the fair;

-encourage public attendance at the fair.

The fair will:

give recognition and reward students’

academic competence in social studies

through

-ribbons

-certificates

-other appropriate recognition.

QCC OBJECTIVES

Information Processing QCC’s: Formulates questions related to topic. Analyzes artifacts Analyze interpretations of the same event from

multiple types of sources. Make predictions and comparisons based on factual

information Analyzes information from two or more sources for

agreements, contradictions, facts and opinions. Determines adequacy, relevancy and consistency of

information for justifying conclusions or generalizations.

Problem Solving QCC’s: Identifies and defines a problem Formulates possible alternatives or solutions to

a given problem. Collects evidence using appropriate, reliable

data. Chooses a reasonable solution from among the

various alternatives Identifies areas for further study

8th Grade additions: Locates ideas in multiple types of sources-

(8)

Takes notes and develops outlines through reading, listening or viewing -(8)

Develops and interprets charts, tables, timelines, graphs, diagrams, and other graphic aids- (8)

REQUIRED PARTS OF PROJECT

Research paper

Visual Presentation of project (Backboard)

3-D visual/model

Samples of completed project:

State Social Studies Fair Competition

STEPS TO A SUCCESSFULLY

COMPLETED PROJECT

STEPS TO COMPLETE: Choose a topic Formulate question(s) Determine purpose Complete research

– Find resources– Take notes– Write down resources to use in bibliography– Keep a log of what you do

Organize research– Write an outline

Write rough draft summary research paper– Introduction– Thesis Statement/ Purpose– Proofread and Revise– Draw a conclusion

Write final draft Visual Presentation

– Backboard– Create model

WHAT ARE DISCIPLINES?

DISCIPLINES ANTHROPOLOGY

ECONOMICS

GEOGRAPHY

HISTORY

POLITICAL SCIENCE

SOCIOLOGY

ANTHROPOLOGY

Anthropology is the study of human beings from prehistory to the present.

It includes physical development and cultural heritage. ~

ECONOMICS Economics is the study of the production,

consumption, and exchange of goods and services.

The way people make and sell products, conduct business, organize labor, and finance these activities.

Almost anything to do with business is economics. ~

GEOGRAPHY Geography is the study of places on earth,

man’s utilization of raw materials and resources.

This includes countries, cities ..., rivers, oceans and seas..., mountains and valleys, deserts, etc. ~

HISTORY History is all that happened to man and is a

record of the past. It tells the story of man from early

beginnings. It tells how countries were formed and

perhaps defeated...changes. ~

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political science is the study of government.

The different ways cultures... rule and govern themselves.defend themselvessolve environmental problems

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is the study of man’s interaction and relationship with his environment.

It emphasizes man’s attitudes, motivation, social needs, and behaviors. ~

CHOOSING A TOPIC... Pick a topic that interests you. (There may be several

ideas that appeal to you. Research these topics and pick the one that will hold your interest for several months.)

Pick a topic that has enough information for the report requirements.

Your goal is to decide on a topic that you find exciting and pass along the information in the form of the report.

WHERE TO LOOK... Use a variety of sources:

pamphlets magazines the internet videos newspapers atlases surveys interviews

Topics related to history may be found in encyclopedias or other reference books.

The topic may decide where you look for information. For example, if the topic is a baseball strike, then magazines, internet, or newspapers may be the best choices since it is more of a current events topic.

NARROWING A TOPIC

Choose a topic that is not too broad. For example, World War II is too large. A more specific choice may be the Battle of the Bulge, General George Patton, or Pearl Harbor, etc.

Instead of sports, someone may choose a specific idea about a sport. For example, ticket sales, profit/loss, players/team(s), salaries, or management would narrow the topic somewhat. ~

THE RESEARCH PAPER

The report has very specific requirements. The body of the report can be no more than

600 words. 4-5 double-space typed pages There must be a bibliography page where

sources are cited.

GATHERING AND ANALYZING DATA

ORGANIZATION Keep all Fair information in a folder... packet,

notes, log of time spent (diary/methodology), and everything associated with this project.

Use notecards or a spiral to keep notes that you take.

Write all bibliographic information for each source. (The bibliography is title, author, etc. of the material you are using. This is required.) ~

TAKING NOTES

Write down only information that is related to the topic

Write down the source– include information needed to

complete bibliography, for example:

» author» publisher and date of publication» Internet address

TAKING NOTES... Write any information you find on the topic on

notecards (or spiral). Include all bibliographic information.

Do not write exactly what is printed in a book. You must paraphrase (put in your own words). If you choose to write exactly, you will need to give credit to the author and the page found. Don’t forget to put this on your notecard.

You might not use all the notes taken or there may be too little information. ~

OUTLINING

WEBBING, FLOW CHART, STANDARD OUTLINE

You may choose any one of these outlining techniques to organize the data for the report.

This gives you a “path” to follow to make the report flow.

An outline shows main idea, subtopics, and supporting details. ~

USE GRAPHS / CHARTS TO SHOW DATA.

INTERVIEW optional

You may interview someone who has knowledge of your topic. For example, a student may contact a store manager to discuss profit and loss or some other aspect of economics.

You may interview family members for a topic about family history.

Be sure to cite this in the report on the credit page. ~

SURVEYS optional

The survey is questions you have written concerning your topic.

You may survey your classmates in order to gather data about their opinions on your subject. (What is your favorite...? How many_do you own...? When...? Who...?Why...?)

It may be wise to offer A...B...C...D...choices to narrow the variety of some answers.

You will want to graph this information (and put it on the backboard, if you choose to do one). ~

BIBLIOGRAPHY Credit must be given to all sources used in the report. Each type of resource has its own format but

generally contain the same information such as title, author, place of publication, publisher’s name, date of publication.

Sort by author’s last name in ABC order. Underline titles of books; place quotes around chapters. End each source with a period.

Use the information given in the packet for the different ways to cite resources. ~

Bibliography Sample

Author’s last name, first name. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher’s name, date of publication.

Fradin, Dennis B. Georgia in Words and Pictures. Chicago: Children’s Press, 1981.

WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER

Prewriting...what interests me? How can I make it interesting to others?

First draft...write. (Editing comes later.) Revising...make changes in first draft. Be sure sentences

are not too short or too long. Ask someone else to read your report. Sometimes others find things we don’t see.

Proofreading...find and edit mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Final copy...may be typed or hand written in ink. If someone else types it, a verification page is necessary. ~

FORMAT for the RESEARCH PAPER

Bound in a folder, notebook Title page - name, school, etc. Verification page (Use this if someone else types the

research paper.) Purpose page - why you selected the topic

– What knowledge is the viewer to gain? Methodology page - steps taken to complete report Research - information on your topic (600 words) Conclusion page - short summary of findings in report Credit page (optional) - recognizing those who helped

with the report Bibliography - list of titles, authors, etc. (in ABC order

by author’s last name)

Abstract

On a 3x5 card provide an overview of your

project to include:

– Project title

– Student’s name(s)

– Statement of the problem

– Methodology

– Conclusion(s)

BACKBOARD The backboard displays the data

in the report. Some information of the report

will be duplicated Purpose Methodology Visuals to illustrate the topic

Pictures, charts, graphs, maps, etc.

Conclusion Abstract

Charts/graphs, results of surveys, methodology (log), conclusion, purpose,

Three dimensional objects (MUST BE MADE) Objects that are

bought (horses, toy soldiers, dolls...) are not permitted

Backboard LayoutStatement of

Purpose

Methodology(Also graphs, charts, illustrations related

to the project question/purpose)

Question or Problem

Statement

(Also graphs, charts, illustrations related

to the project question/purpose)

Abstract

Conclusion(Also graphs, charts, illustrations related

to the project question/purpose)

MODELS (must be created by YOU!!!)

Models Murals Dioramas Recordings Artifacts Graphs Charts Photographs

Diagrams Filmstrips Historical collections Video tapes Maps Slides Films

DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

Keep on schedule. Be aware of DUE dates.

Work at a reasonable pace. Avoid panic by not waiting until the last

minute. ~

In Conclusion... The social studies report is probably your first

experience with writing a formal term paper. You will learn so much about the topic as well

as about yourself. When all is finished, you will be proud of

yourself for the hard work, the long hours, and the good job you have done!

Congratulations!