National History DayProgram Overview

Participation

• Junior Division– 6th - 8th Grade

• Senior Division– 9th - 12th Grade

• Students can work individually or collaboratively in groups of 2-5.

Classroom Implementation

National History Day offers flexibility to fit any classroom:

• Full classroom implementation• Elected pull-out program (gifted & talented)• After-school activity

Annual Theme

• 2011: Debate and Diplomacy in History• 2012: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History • 2013: Turning Points in History• 2014: Geography in History• 2015: Rights & Responsibilities in History

Topic Selection

• World History• American History• State History• Local History• Family History

• The only requirement is that students identify their topic’s relationship to the theme

In-depth Research

• Students are encouraged to explore their community resources as a means to discover their topic.

– Local Libraries– University Libraries– Archives – Historic Sites– Witnesses

Presentation

• Historical Paper (individual only) • Exhibit• Documentary• Performance• Website

• All categories are required to submit an annotated bibliography of sources used during the development of their project

Historical Papers

A written demonstration of history based on the most traditional form of historical presentation: authorship

ExhibitsA visual presentation of history based on the work of museum curators and exhibit designers

DocumentariesA multi-media presentation modeled after the work of directors like Ken Burns

PerformancesA live presentation modeled after living history interpreters

WebsitesA computer-based project modeled after the presentation of history on the World Wide Web

The Contest

Regional Events:Defined by ECSU boundaries, contests occur

throughout the month of March

State Event: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

May 1, 2011

National Event: Univ. of MD, College Park

June, 2011

School Events:Take place in individual schools, organized by a lead teacher or

coordinator—generally occur in February

Assessment• At NHD events, students present before a panel of judges who are asked to assess:

– Historical Quality– Relationship to the Theme– Clarity of Presentation

• Students receive feedback from judges on their work following each event

• Those who advance in the competition are highly encouraged to revisit and revise their work

Historical Quality

Relationship to Theme

Clarity of Presentation

(Paper Sample)

Student Benefits• Skill development in:

– Research/Reading– Analysis – Drawing Conclusions– Writing– Presentation– Communication– Collaboration – Understanding Historical Context/Perspective

• Scholarships• College/Workplace preparation• A greater sense of connection to history and

community

Teacher Services• Curriculum materials

– Curriculum videos– Sample project videos– Theme materials

• Program-based workshops– Introductory sessions– Advanced category-based training– Mentor assistance– National summer institutes

• Online Tools– Master Teacher Network

http://www.mnhs.org/school/historyday/masterteacher/index.htm

– Sample topic ideas & Research linkshttp://www.mnhs.org/school/historyday/program/relatedwebsites_2.htm

Teacher Services (cont)

• Assistance from the State NHD office– History Day Hotline– History Center Library Help Desk– Classroom visits– Staff assistance via phone and e-mail

• Free adhesive products

Teacher Benefits

An innovative teaching tool that…• Meets state standards• Encompasses several skill sets• Encourages cross-curricular collaboration• Inspires and motivates young people• Fosters opportunities to participate in teacher

training• Recognizes superior teaching at State and

National events

Getting Started…• Visit www.mnhs.org/historyday

– Request Information• An information request will generate a basic packet of

materials, but does not commit you to active participation.

– Enroll as an active teacher• Enrolling indicates that you would like to receive program

mailings, intend to participate with students, and are interested in staff assistance.

• If you are interested in classroom visits and/or participating in the contest, you must enroll.

Contest Participation• Participation Survey

– A participation survey will be sent to enrolled teachers in January requesting the total number of projects participating in each category per school.

– Teachers interested in entering projects in the contest must submit a completed survey in order to receive registration information.

Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes,

Failures, Consequences

• Brand-new theme

• Students can choose to focus on debate, diplomacy or both– Many topics will have elements of both. Example:

Three-Fifths Compromise

• Encourage students to consider both debate and diplomacy as they choose topics

Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes,

Failures, Consequences• Debate:

– A discussion involving opposing points, an argument

– A formal contest in which the opposing sides are advocated by speakers

• Diplomacy: – The art and practice of conducting negotiations

between nations, as in alliances and treaties

– The conduct of the relations of one state in dealing with another by peaceful means

Debate and Diplomacy Interpretations

• Debate– To be a debate, a topic needs to be more complex than a

disagreement

– Debate implies large issues, long-term discussion of opposing sides, and impactful consequences

– For example, students and teachers can disagree about school dress code, but can debate about students’ rightsto use dress as a method of free speech (Tinker v. Des Moines, 1969)

Debate and Diplomacy Interpretations

• Debate: Modern Debates– Modern debated issues: Find the origin or similar

topics in the past– Current debate may become part of the impact, but

define the debate in historical terms– For example: Gays in the military

• Women in the military, women in combat

• Blacks in the military, segregated regiments• Compulsory draft, conscientious objectors• Young people in war, unable to vote• 1942 ban of homosexuals in military

Debate and Diplomacy Interpretations

• Diplomacy: – Generally, diplomacy is defined as international

relations. Example: Camp David Accords

– But diplomacy can also be conducted by sovereign nations, nations in a civil war, within governments, or between defined interest groups

– Define diplomacy as an organized gathering with a resolution in mind. Example: Appomattox

Cautions About D & D

• This is not the debate team!– Students are not part of the argument and should not

be projecting opinions (especially difficult with controversial topics such as abortion and animal rights)

• It is necessary to address both sides of the debate– In order for it to be a debate, there must be two or

more sides. All must be present. Example: the debate over slavery

Significance of D & D

• Each topic should have demonstrable historical significance– Product debates (New Coke v. Classic Coke),

celebrity debates (should Childress have waived Randy Moss) are not necessarily significant

• Use the postscript “Successes, Failures, Consequences” to determine significance

• National topics can have local significance and vice versa– Example: American Indian treaties and policies

Thinking Outside the Box• Students should consider ideological debates instead of

physical debates– Example: Physical Lincoln/Douglas debates v.

• Debates can take place outside of the political arena– Example: Religious debates (birth of

Protestantism); scientific debates (Scopes Monkey Trial); literary debates (banned books)

• Find a topic that has been debated and narrow to a specific time or action– Example: Women’s suffrage, immigration, free

press = suffragette methods, Chinese Exclusion Act, Zenger trial

Topics to Consider…

• Declaration of Independence• 15th Amendment exclusion of women

• Brown v. Board of Education• Indian boarding schools• 1968 Olympic Games• Iran Hostage Crisis• 1920s fashion• Loving v. Virginia

Minnesota Topics

• Minnesota Eugenics Society• Creation of Chippewa National Forest

• Boundary Waters Canoe Area• Traverse des Sioux Treaty• Commission of Public

Safety• 1934 truckers’ strike• Rondo and I-94• The Grange