National+History+Day

National History Day is something that we will be participating in this year.



__**This year's theme is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in history.**__ Your topic will need to fit this theme. Below is a link to a great deal of information about this year's theme: 2012 NHD theme page On that page are multiple documents to help you get a feel for this year's theme and National History Day in general. Make sure to open and read the first document on that page, the 2012 Theme Sheet pdf file.

You may choose to do a research paper, a poster, a website, or a performance. Before going any further, let's take a look at a few websites created for the NHD competition. Here is a great one: NHD student project: 1968 Democratic Convention Many other websites are available here

__Steps to completing your NHD project:__
__For steps 1-4, complete the NHD intro handout:__ >
 * 1) ===Get a feel for NHD and the general plan, requirements.===
 * 2) ===Understand this year's theme.===
 * 3) ===Find multiple topics of interest that fit the theme.===
 * 4) ===Talk with potential partner(s) and see if you can agree on a topic.===
 * 5) ===Determine a topic - make sure it is specific and it fits the theme.===
 * ===remember, topic must be chosen from U.S. History, 1950s & 60s - which is covered in Cs 26-30 of the Anthem textbook, starting p.846===
 * 1) ===Do a lot of research and note-taking (see below for guidelines). 8 Steps of Historical Research from NHD===
 * 2) ===Decide on and complete project - do more research as needed.===
 * ===Project choices are research paper (individual only), poster project, website creation, performance.===

__Some key guidelines for research and notes:__

 * ===the key is to develop a deep understanding of your topic - become an expert on it.===
 * ===do lots of research - find multiple sources (at least 5 secondary sources and 2 primary sources) and read up on your topic. (use the page on this site for some helpful US History links)===
 * ===keep track of all sources.===
 * ===take good 2-column notes as you read - good notes means thorough and thoughtful, in your words, detailed, and organized.===
 * ===connect your narrow topic to the bigger, general topic it is a part of.===
 * ===you must form and express an opinion about your topic - a thesis statement that you will argue in your project.===
 * ===you must find at least 2 primary sources related to your topic, analyze them and include them in your project.===

See below for project CHECKLISTS:
Before turning your project in, make sure it is as close to perfect as you can make it. Make sure that it is PROOFREAD. and COMPLETE.

WEBSITE


__ Guidelines and Expectations __ Once you understand NHD, this year's theme, and have chosen a topic, you will begin doing research: 2. __2-column notes__: · Thorough – a lot of information on your topic and question · Thoughtful – show you are thinking about your topic and question · Paraphrased – use your words · At least 5 good sources are used and cited
 * 1) ====__Reading and source accumulation__====
 * Do lots of research - find sources with good informatio
 * Compile an annotated list of sources that you will come back to in order to take notes
 * As you compile a list of annotated sources, you may also begin taking notes from your reading

2. __ Project __ : A) **Poster**  · Thorough exploration of the topic and a lot of relevant information    · Research Question answered    · Opinion given and well supported    · Clear Title    · Use of a variety of tools (Wordle, Timeline, Important Terms, Images, etc)    · Neat, organized, well-written    · Impressive layout, color, creativity    · Works cited & Process paper attached

B) **Website**  · A separate wikispace for just this project    · Multiple pages that break the topic down into parts    · Thorough exploration of the topic and a lot of relevant information    · Research Question answered    · Clear opinion given and well supported    · Use of a variety of tools (Video, Wordle, Timeline, Important Terms, Images, etc)    · Neat, organized, well-written    · Impressive layout, color, creativity    · Works cited & Process paper page

C) **Research Paper**  · At least 3 typed pages, double-spaced, 12 point font, 1” margins    · Title    · Good, clear intro paragraph introducing the general and narrow topics    · Clear thesis answering the research question    · Thorough exploration of the topic and sides of the issue    · Well-written – use of compound sentences, good grammar and spelling    · A lot of evidence, examples, key terms to support thesis    · Thoughtful analysis of evidence & examples    · Conclusion to sum up and explain the overall significance of the topic    · Works cited & Process paper page at end

A little bit at a time, you will be working in groups to complete a National History Day project. Here is the calendar for the year:

August and September

 * Introduce the theme.
 * Show how the theme fits into the class curriculum.
 * Explain sources.
 * Develop a paperwork management system.

September and October

 * Support students in choosing a topic.
 * Help students decide if their project will be done individually or as a group.
 * Guide students in reading a variety of quality sources.
 * Help students narrow and ask questions of the topic (e.g. Can I do the topic in the amount of time allotted? Are there enough resources to support a research project on this topic?).

October, November and December

 * Encourage students to read, read, read.
 * Students need to begin analyzing sources.
 * Help students develop a thesis.
 * Explain formulating an interpretation and presenting research.

December and January

 * Introduce the possible methods of presentation: Web site, Performance, Exhibit, Documentary, or Paper and support students in being good decision makers.