Transcript National History Day - Kailua Intermediate School
National History Day
Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events, 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 or event change or influence attitudes or change society?
Does the issue have both a positive and negative side?
How was it perceived by others?
Gather Information and READ about it
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 source
s
Check bibliographies Find lots of primary sources
Avoid Doing a Biography or a Narrative of Events!!
Think Context, Analysis and Selectivity
ANALYSIS
Move beyond the who, what, where, when questions.
Ask why and how questions.
Context Investigate events and people surrounding your topic.
Create a Thesis Statement The thesis explains how the topic relates to this year’s theme - time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance - by drawing 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 October 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
Group Pros 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 on time in other classes?
Types of Projects
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)
Display Board Most popular Can be costly and bulky 500 of your own words How to Make a Great HD Exhibit on HD website
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 on HD website
Performance Be prepared to perform in public Need a script Need costumes and props 10 minutes How to Create Great Performances HD website on
Website An electronic research paper 2500 of your own words Images and video clips No outside links No advertisements on pages Must use Weebly
Annotated Bibliography
See HD website for instructions
Competitions School - January District – February State – March/April National - June
Research Collection Note cards ( about 100) – Use key words and phrases only. Follow questions on worksheet.
Using Google docs and BibMe
Informational Packet Includes: (For Competition only) Title Page Process 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, form groups November – continue research collection, thesis statement, select format of project, December – assemble project, submit bibliography January – Project due to teacher, school History Day event
ADVICE TO STUDENTS PLAN AHEAD START EARLY KEEP ORGANIZED!
WORK AT LEAST 2-3 HOURS A WEEK
ADVICE TO PARENTS Check deadlines Discuss topic. Ask “why” questions Check their work and help edit Give feedback Provide transportation to libraries and competitions Don’t do the work for them.