HISTORY DAY 2005 Communication in History: The Key to Understanding

What is History Day? n Semester-long experience for students n Grades 4-12 (4-5th grades poster only) n Original research on the theme n Work individually or in teams of up to five students n Multiple ways to present research

History Day Skills … Are Life Skills Creating a History Day project involves... –Conceptualizing an idea –Planning and organizing all the steps –Doing research - reading, interviewing, recording –Developing skill in the presentation mode –Working with others –Presenting oneself

History Day Skills Lead to College Success n The thinking, planning and writing skills developed for History Day are the same skills needed for college work. n College admissions officers look for participation in academic programs such as History Day, Science Fair, We the People, etc.

History Day Skills Lead to College Success “Every student who has successfully completed a History Day entry that I have coached has gone to college.” Sherry Hamilton A.B. Miller H.S. “History Day participation was the thing that allowed me to be accepted to Pomona College in the face of stiff competition.” Keith Willis New Teacher

History Day Teaches History-Social Science Standards Chronological and Spatial Thinking Students explain how major events are related to one another in time. Students construct various time lines of key events, people, and periods of the historical era they are studying.

History Day Teaches History-Social Science Standards Historical Research, Evidence, and Point of View Students frame questions that can be answered by historical study and research. Students distinguish fact from opinion… Students distinguish relevant from irrelevant information… Students assess the credibility of primary/secondary sources and draw sound conclusions from them… Students detect the different historical points of view...

History Day Teaches History-Social Science Standards Historical Interpretation Students explain the central issues and problems… Students understand and distinguish cause, effect, sequence, and correlation in historical events… Students explain the sources of historical continuity and how the combination of ideas and events explains the emergence of new patterns. Students recognize that interpretations of history are subject to change as new information is uncovered.

n Writing Organization and Focus n Research and Technology n Revising and Evaluating Writing n Research Reports that... – Define thesis – Record important ideas – Use variety of sources History Day Teaches Reading- Language Arts Standards

Types of Presentations n Research paper (individual only) n Documentary n Exhibit n Performance n Web site (CA only) n Poster (4-5th and CA only)

History Day Assessment Scoring guides are performance assessment rubrics n 60% is historical quality n 20% is adherence to theme n 20% is quality of presentation

History Day Assessment What is Historical Quality? n Accurate n Interprets and analyzes doesn’t just report n Topic set in historical context n Wide research/primary sources n Balanced

History Day Assessment What is Adherence to Theme? n Topic clearly relates to the theme n Demonstrates the significance of the topic IN HISTORY

History Day Assessment What is Quality of Presentation? n Creative and original n Well organized n Written material is clear, correct, and articulate n Type of entry matches the topic

Documentary Slide Show Video (most common) PowerPoint or HyperStudio

Steps to Creating a Documentary n Research, research, research. n Storyboard the scenes before shooting. n Operate all equipment. [students] n Present a variety of panning shots, interviews, live action, and still subjects. n Use no more than 10 minutes. n Include music. n Get permissions for EVERYTHING.

Performance n 10 minute skit that translates theme into action n Quotations and excerpts from real events

Steps to Creating a Performance n Research, research, research. n Storyboard the scenes/prepare the script based on research. n Prepare authentic costumes. n Practice lines and voice projection. n Prepare set [limit props to minimum]. n Address the thesis with clear beginning, middle, and end related to theme.

Exhibit n History Day exhibits are similar to museum exhibits. n Exhibits balance visual interest & historical explanation. n 500 original words

Steps to Creating an Exhibit Research, research, research. n Make title the main focus of the center panel. n Use the center panel to present the main ideas supporting thesis. n Use side panels to compare or explain. n Place artifacts on the table. n Get permissions for everything.

Research Paper Papers are 1500 to 2500 word discussions of a historical thesis related to the annual theme. Communication in History

Steps to Creating a Paper Research, research, research. n Begin with introduction stating the thesis, then a main section, and last a conclusion. n Use MLA or Turabian style. n Include footnotes when quoting primary or secondary sources, or paraphrasing a secondary source. n Title page has only name, title, & division.

Poster For 4th and 5th grade only, History Day posters are flat 30” x 40” museum type exhibits.

Steps to Creating a Poster Research, research, research. n Balance visual interest & historical explanation. n Show thesis and relate to theme. n Use 250 original words on poster. n Annotate the bibliography, divide primary & secondary sources n Include 500 word process paper.

Historical Web Site Use the computer to create a web site that communicates a significant topic in History.

Steps to Creating a Web Site n Research, research, research. n Balance visual interest & history n Show thesis and relate to theme. n Use maximum1500 words and 20 pages n Annotated bibliography - posted/print n Include 500 word process paper - posted/print n Upload by History Day entry deadline. n Avoid outside links.

n Use California Student Rulebook as your guide. n Focus on one type of entry. n Research, explore, and learn Have fun!!! Welcome to National History Day 2005 Communication in History: The Key to Understanding