1. NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2013 GOALS AND RESEARCH METHODS

2. NATIONAL HISTORY DAY is about… RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, ANALYSIS and more RESEARCH!!!!!

3. What was happening? Why was this point inevitable/unexpected? Historical Context Person Idea Event TURNING POINT Cultural Political Economic Significant Changes

4. WHERE TO FIND TOPICS Books on display Turning Points icons on desktops http://www.nhd.org NHD website: –Contest –Getting Started –Choosing a topic More examples

5. NHD MADE SIMPLE Find a topic you will enjoy spending lots of time with Research EVERYTHING there is to know – become the expert! Talk to other experts (get interview!) Use the Resources Checklist to track your progress Choose group or individual – how do you work best? Choose a project type – what skills do you have? Stay organized Stick to your calendar – watch for due dates Track your points

6. PROJECT TYPES Website: Professional looking, interactive, not just a paragraphs on a page; use NHDs Weebly to construct Documentary: 10 minutes maximum; original content; clear, articulate voice-over; use iMovie or MovieMaker Exhibit: Tri-folds; artistic skills helpful ; could cost money; artifacts, documents needed; interactive Performance: Ten minutes live; acting and speaking skills helpful but not necessary; costumes; props

7. RESEARCH TIPS & TOOLS Research takes time; dont procrastinate. Organize yourself. –Folder for hand-outs and other papers –Make a folder on your home desktop Get a flashdrive Become a regular visitor to the NHD page on Library website Check the NHD bulletin board in SS office Get a SPL card and PIN # Get a BPL e-card (well do in class) Revalidate your NoodleBib account

8. STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT Research, research, research – do a little every day! Focus on your topic with the big picture in mind: –Historical Context (what was happening before the turning point and why was the turning point important) –Turning Point: Person, Idea, Event (what happened, when, where and how) –Significant Changes (why did this happen and why will things never be the same again?) Divide the research into primary and secondary sources Cite and annotate your sources as you use them. Find an expert early – ask intelligent questions!

9. RESEARCH COMPONENTS Primary sourcesSecondary sources

10. YOU JUST CANT IT! SweetSearch.com Refseek.com Wikipedia (use Research links and Talk) Find the Historical Society or Museum Find the archives or historical site Find the fan association Find the experts and interview them!

11. SCHOOL LIBRARY WEBPAGE Check Destiny Special NHD due date: Jan. 13 Helpful Library Links: –NHD (many links!) –Other Libraries –Online Databases Other Libraries: –SPL, NOBLE, and BPL Online Databases: –Gale Databases -- Historic New York Times, 1851-2009 -- Annals of American History --Britannica

12. INTERVIEWS You MUST interview at least one person for your project. –In person or via e-mail Create a grown-up email address Ask intelligent, specific questions Refer to the experts work (book, article, website) –Someone who was involved in your topic (primary source) –Or someone who is an expert on your topic (secondary source) –Proof of interview is required –Dont wait too long to make contact

13. WHOS AN EXPERT? A recurring author A curator of a museum A webmaster A national park ranger A university professor who has written articles/books A historical society president A historian Many other types of people depending on your topic

14. HOW COMPETITIVE ARE YOU? Want to move on to Regionals? Have you got what it takes? Ready to go beyond local resources? ATTEND OUR AFTERSCHOOL SESSIONS Dates: TBA 2:30 – 3:30 in the Library (Passes for sports will be available)

15. NoodleBib Revalidate with passwords: –stoneham –spartan Forgot your username and password? See Mrs. D.

16. USEFUL PEOPLE Please e-mail us if you have questions about topics or research: Ms. Sampson: psampson@stonehamschools.org Mrs. DiPietro tdipietro@stonehamschools.org