National History DayNational website

History Day Formats:(Competition only)

Display board (1-3 people) Media Documentary (1-3 people) Performance (1-3 people) Individual Research Paper Website (1-3 people)

Revolution, Reaction, Revolt in History

Choose a topic that fits the theme

Topics – Choose something you are interested in: American history Hawaiian history World history European history Sports history Music history Science history

Military history Asian history African American

history Women’s history Labor history Art history

Topics must fit the theme Consider: Is the topic historically important? Did the person change or influence

attitudes? Did he or she change society? Does the issue have both a positive and

negative side? How was it perceived by others?

Resources

Gathering Information

Start with Secondary Sources

Used to get an overview of topic Encyclopedias Textbooks Biographies

Use Primary Sources to Support Your Thesis First-hand accounts Letters Journals Photos Speeches Documents Court records Interviews

How to Use the Sources

After you select a topic or to find one,read through lots of secondary sources

Check bibliographies Find lots of primary sources Use Internet sparingly

Avoid Doing a Biography or a Narrative of Events!!

Think Context, Analysis and Selectivity

Move beyond the who, what, where, when questions.

Ask why and how questions.

ANALYSIS

Context

Investigate events and people surrounding your topic.

Create a Thesis Statement

A thesis is similar to a hypothesis. It is the foundation of your entire project.

The thesis needs to explain how the topic relates to this year’s theme - time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance.

A .thesis draws conclusions about how the topic affected individuals, communities, nations or the world.

Do I work alone or with a group?

Choosing Groups and Formats in November

OK for a student to change topic if working in a group.

Look at research and decide on a format that fits.

Alone Pros Cons Make your own

decisions Make your own

schedule Saves time Fewer distractions

You are responsible for every part of the project.

No group support No one to bounce

ideas off of

GroupPros Cons Support Share work Share costs Share fun

Someone is: Too busy Too bossy Too lazy Too playful Too disorganized

Most Groups Are Successful

When choosing a group consider:

Is someone going on vacation you need to know about? Moving?

Can you get together on weekends or breaks?

Does your partner turn in quality work in other classes?

Types of Projects

Exhibits

Most popular Can be costly and bulky 500 of your own words NHD Photos 2006 How to Make a Great HD Exhibit

Individual Research Paper

No partners 2500 words Includes an appendix See me for examples and handout

Media Documentary

Need equipment: video camera, sound, video editing software, tripod

Need to create a storyboard No performances 10 minutes How to Make Great Media

Documentaries

Performance

Be prepared to perform in public

Need a script Need costumes and

props 10 minutes How to Create Great

Performances

Website

An electronic research paper 2500 of your own words Images and video clips No outside links No advertisements on pages Must put on a CD ROM, not live on the

web

Annotated Bibliography

SEE WEBSITE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

Competitions

School - January District – February State – April National - June

Research Collection

Bibliography cards for each source

(minimum 20 sources)

Notecards ( about 100) – Use key words and phrases only. Follow questions on worksheet.

Informational Packet Includes:(For Competition only)Title PageProcess Paper– 500 words (only

for students going on)Annotated Bibliography

Needed for all projects except Individual Research Paper

Timeline

August – Overview of project September and October – Topic selection,

research, essays November – continue research collection,

form groups, select format of project, submit bibliography

December– assemble project January – school History Day event

ADVICE TO STUDENTS

PLAN AHEAD START EARLY KEEP ORGANIZED! WORK AT LEAST 3 HOURS A WEEK

ADVICE TO PARENTS

Check deadlinesDiscuss topic; ask “why” questionsCheck their work,editGive feedbackProvide transportation to libraries

and competitions

Thank you for attending this evening.