National History Day ProjectDirections Packet

Name__________________________

Period______

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Hello Students,

This year, you will be participating in National History Day project contest. This project will be used to measure your understanding of how to conduct historical research. If you are not familiar with National History Day, it is a national level competition open to all students in grades 6-12. Each year, National History Day has a pre-determined theme; the theme for this year’s competition is: “Exploration, Encounter and Exchange in History”. You will select a topic of your choice which ties into this theme to successfully complete this assignment.

You will be working on this project both in and out of class while simultaneously completing other units. After you have been introduced to the project, you will be responsible to set time aside on your own to finish it.

After the projects have been turned in and graded, Mr. Furman will be selecting certain projects to advance to the National History Day competition. If you are selected, you will have the opportunity to compete in the East Valley Regional History Day Competition for grades 6-8. If your project places high enough at Regionals, you can compete in the Arizona State History Day competition, and then even possibly the National level competition in Washington DC.

You will have the opportunity to choose from five types of projects to show your research. In addition to the project, you will also have to complete an annotated bibliography listing out the sources you used to research your topic. You may work individually or in a group of 2-3 people.

Let’s Get Started!1) Keep a positive attitude and have fun with this project. Think of it as a mystery that you are trying to solve. The facts and data you collect will help you to support your conclusions. 2) Make yourself the expert on this topic. Don’t just restate or tell what others have said about your topic. Tell what you think and then support those ideas with the research that you have done. 3) Pick a topic and project category that you are interested in and can find enough information. Remember to keep your topic narrow. Your topic must be older than the last ten years. You can pick a topic from any time period in history including your own family history.4) Don’t wait to the last minute to work on the project. Set time aside each week to work on the project. Watch the due dates. 5) Ask for help. If you don’t understand something or can’t find information, ask your teacher for assistance.6) Remember, your goal is to demonstrate that you understand how to conduct historical research. The project directions that follow are merely a guideline to help reach that goal.Project categories: ***Examples will be shown later*** *** Choose one of the following

Research (Historical) Paper (Individual Only) Exhibit (Individual or Group) Historical (Drama) Performance (Individual or Group) Documentary (Individual or Group) Historical Website (Individual or Group)

Individual or Groups: You may work individually or in groups (except historical papers which are individual only). Groups may include 2 to 3 students. If you choose to work in a group, I would prefer that it be with students from your period. With that being said, I will allow you to work with other students from other class periods if that is what will help you produce your best work. If you choose to work with other students, be careful whom you pick to work with on this project. Make sure you

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pick someone whom you can count on to do his or her share of the work.

Parts of the Project All projects will consist of the following parts.

1) The Main Project (exhibit board, documentary, research paper, website or historical drama performance). - This is where you display your thesis statement, research and analysis of the topic. The main part of your project must be divided into the following sections:

- Thesis Statement- Clear state what your research will show or prove.

- Causes and Effects- What made your topic happen, and how did it change things after it occurred.

- Historical graph or chart- Display important historical data about your topic.

- Timeline- Give dates of events that directly apply to your topic or important historical events that occurred when your topic took place.

- Your Point of View on the topic/ other people’s point of view on the topic- Tell what you think about your topic, and what other people think.

- Your Conclusions- Analyze and tell how your topic ties into the theme of ““Exploration, Encounter and Exchange”.

2) Annotated Bibliography- This is where you list out the primary and secondary sources you used to make your project, and explain how you used this information in your project. See page 8 in the NHD Directions Packet.

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Historical Documentary DirectionsWhat is a Historical Documentary?

NHD documentaries present information about an event, person, place or idea from the past through a ten minute presentation that showcases documents, images, photographs, and actual footage of the topic you are researching. Your documentary needs to have both primary and secondary research but also be an original production.

Project Requirements

Length: 10 minutes- The closer you can get to 10 minutes without going over the better.- If you are doing a PowerPoint project, it must be set to run automatically, and it must also

have voice narration. There is no set number of slides in the PowerPoint presentation, but, as with a video, it can’t be over 10 minutes in length when running automatically.

Timeline: You need to have some kind of timeline or some other way to show your topics development chronologically in the documentary. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Graphs, Tables, Charts: You must have at least one (1) of these in your documentary. You may do more if you like. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Thesis statement: Must clearly be stated in the documentary.

Title: Your project must have a title (title slide if doing PowerPoint) with the name of your project and your name(s).

Sections: All sections need to be addressed in the documentary. Thesis Statement, Timeline, Graph/ Chart, Cause and Effect, Points of View, and Conclusion (see general directions).

Turning in your Project: You can turn your documentary in on a disk or electronically. The final annotated bibliography will be submitted on turnitin.com. See due dates on page 12. Helpful Hints:- Adding background music to your documentary is a great way to add another dimension to your research. Remember, music from the time period that your topic takes place is considered a source.-Because of the heavy technical requirements of this category, think about the equipment that you will need to complete this project. -Write out a script first that has what you are going to say about your topic, then find pictures that go along with the script.

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Exhibit Board Directions What is a Historical Exhibit? Historical exhibition presents information about an event, person, place, or idea from the past by physically displaying documents, images, or objects. We often see such exhibits at museums, but they are also presented at many other places such as archives, historic sites, park visitor centers, classrooms, and even airports and train stations. For your National History Day project, you will tell the story of your research through historic photographs, maps, drawings and other interesting objects.

Project Requirements

Board Size: Your exhibit can be no bigger than the following dimensions:

Square Shaped Board- 6 feet high, 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep. Cylinder shaped board- 6 feet high, 30 inches in diameter.

Word limit- Your exhibit board can have no more than 500 words that are your own. If you are using a newspaper, document, letter, diary, chart, table or graph these words do not count against the 500-word limit.- All written work needs to be completed in blue or black ink or typed.

Timeline: You need to have some kind of timeline on your board or some other way to show your topic’s development chronologically. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Graphs, Tables, Charts: You must have at least one (1) of these on your exhibit board. You may do more if you like. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Number of pictures, models or artifacts: Altogether you must have at least 20 visual components to your exhibit board. Each should have a caption that corresponds to it. Remember, this is a visual project - the more the better.

Audio/Visual Components (optional): (T.V./VCR, CD Player, Computer, Lights) If you are going to use any of these, it must be able to run continuously or be able to be looped. It can be no longer than 3 minutes.

Title: Give your board a title (and subtitle, if applicable).

Sections: All these sections need to be present and displayed on the board. Thesis Statement, Timeline, Graph/ Chart, Cause and Effect, Points of View, and Conclusion (see general directions). These sections can be displayed both visually and in written form. You may add additional sections of your own if you like.

Turning in your Project: The final exhibit must be turned in at school. The final annotated bibliography will be submitted on turnitin.com. See due dates on page 12.

Helpful hints: - Use pictures, models, artifacts, graphs, tables, timelines, and audio/visual components to make your project more visually interesting. - Section off and organize your board with subheadings. Don’t just haphazardly arrange items on the board. It should have a logical flow to it when a person is looking at it.- Keep captions under visual items short and to the point. Let the picture or information you are showing tell the story behind the topic

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Research Paper Directions

What is a Historical Paper?

History papers present information and analyze an event, person, place or idea from the past in writing. Although you might attach a map, chart or photograph that you refer to in your paper, you will rely mainly on words. Writing a paper is a chance to tell what you know and what you think about a part of the past. This is an individual project only.

Project Requirements

Paper size and written requirements:- 1,500-2,500 words- Double spaced- 1-inch margins- 10-12 font - If you are hand writing your paper it must be completed in blue or black ink.

Footnotes, Endnotes, Parenthetical Citations: Refer to your class notes from the historical research unit to help you with this.- You must make use of these within your paper.- I would prefer that you use parenthetical citations, because I feel they will be easier for you to use. (Author’s last name, copyright date) example- (Smith, 1999)

Timeline: You need to have some kind of timeline or some other way to show your topic’s development chronologically. You can either place the timeline in your paper or have at the end of the paper in an appendix. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Graphs, Tables, Charts: You must have at least one (1) of these in your paper. You can either place the graphs or charts in your paper, or have it at the end of the paper in an appendix. You may do more than one if you like. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Subheadings: You may use subheadings throughout your paper if you feel it is necessary.

Sections: All sections need to be addressed in the paper. Thesis Statement, Timeline, Graph/ Chart, Cause and Effect, Points of View, and Conclusion (see general directions).

Bibliography and Process Paper: Attach this to the end of your paper.

Cover sheet: Your paper must have a cover sheet. It should include:- Title, Your name, Class period, Date

Turning in your Project: Submit your historical paper and annotated bibliography on turnitin.com. See due dates on page 12. Thesis Statement: Usually the thesis statement is the first or last sentence of your introductory paragraph.- Start your paper of with your thesis statement it will help to keep you focused as you write.

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Historical (Drama) Performance DirectionsWhat is a Historical Performance?

A performance is a live, dramatic presentation of your topic's significance in history. You may perform individually or as part of a group. A performance should be a scripted portrayal based on research of your chosen topic. Your script should be structured on a thesis statement, supporting statements, and a conclusion. Your performance should have dramatic appeal, but not at the expense of historical information.

Project RequirementsLength: 10 minutes- The closer you can get to 10 minutes without going over the better.

Script: Must be original and written by the students.

Costumes, Props and Sets: All costumes, sets and props must be student-made or actual historical artifacts. Models and replicas can be used in place of actual artifacts. All of these need to be as historically accurate as possible. You can find, purchase borrow costumes and props.

Media devices: Such as lights, slides, tape recorders/CD players, or other devices may be used as long as they are student operated.Title/ Introduction: Before the start of the performance, the students must introduce themselves and title of their performance.Thesis statement: Must be creatively incorporated into the drama performance.- It is OK to just directly state your thesis, but I would prefer that you incorporate it into the dialogue of your drama performance.Timeline: You may use a written timeline as a prop within your performance, but I feel it would be better if you gave this chronological information about your topic through the dialogue. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source. Graphs, Tables, Charts: You must have at least one (1) of these in your performance. Again, like in the timeline, you could show it as a prop, but I feel it would be better to give this statistical information through your dialogue. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source. Sections: All sections need to be addressed in the drama performance. Thesis Statement, Timeline, Graph/ Chart, Cause and Effect, Points of View, and Conclusion (see general directions). Bibliography and Process Paper: Must be turned in on paper separately.

Turning your project in: You may video tape your project, or perform it live. Before submitting your final performance, you will turn in your script and annotated bibliography on turnitin.com. See due dates on page 12. Helpful Hints:- If you know of someone who has an artifact that would work with your performance, ask if you can borrow it.- You may use pictures, newspapers, magazines, and documents as props within your performance.- Incorporate music into your drama performance. It is a great way to convey what your topic is about and when it took place.

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Historical Website Directions

What is a Historical Web Site? A historical web site is a collection of web pages, interconnected with hyperlinks, that presents primary and secondary sources, interactive multimedia, and historical analysis. Your web site should be an accumulation of research and argument that incorporates textual and non-textual (photographs, maps, music, etc.) description, interpretation, and multimedia sources to engage and inform viewers about your chosen historical topic. This project can be completed individually or in a group.

Project Requirements

Size: Size Limit: The overall file size of your web site can be no more than 100MB of file space, including all multimedia.

Word Limit: Word Limit: The web site may contain no more than 1,200 visible, student-composed words. This means that all words that you write that are visible to the viewer count towards your word limit. If you didn't write it, it doesn't count towards the limit. You can use quotations from other sources, and it won't count against your 1,200 words. Words that are not visible to the viewer – citations, code used to build the site, and alternate text tags on images – do not count against the limit, either. Site content should not "lift" just quotes.

Pictures: Minimum of 15 pictures or visuals. Each visual must have a caption or written component with it.

Hyperlinks: All student created pages must be hyperlinked back to the index/ home page. Automatic redirects are not permitted.- You can hyperlink to other historically relevant pages on the Internet that the viewer may find interesting. They do count against your word limit.

Timeline: You need to have some kind of timeline or some other way to show your topics development chronologically. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Graphs, Tables, Charts: You must have at least one (1) of these in your website. You may do more if you like. It must be original, not cut and pasted out of a source.

Thesis statement: Must clearly be stated in the website.

Title: Your project must have a title page with the name of your project and your name(s).

Sections: All these sections need to be addressed in the website. Thesis Statement, Timeline, Graph/ Chart, Cause and Effect, Points of View, and Conclusion (see general directions), bibliography and Process Paper.

Turning in your Project: The final website must be created and turned in on Weebly (see below). Your final bibliography can be a tab or link on the website. See due dates on page 12.

Music and Videos: You can add or download videos clips and music that goes along with your topic. These video and music clips can be no longer than 45 seconds in length.

Narration: Must be original and student composed.

Building and Viewing Website- Create your website with the NHD Site Editor (Weebly). Go to http://nhd.org/websitereg.htm to begin the registration process.

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Annotated Bibliography Directions

All entries must have a bibliography. Your bibliography must contain only those sources where you found information that you actually used, not just any source that you looked at. RequirementsNumber of Sources: The basic rule on this is to have as many sources as possible. There is no set number of sources required for the contest. However, if you want to be competitive at the regional and state competitions the more sources you use to construct your bibliography the better. At a minimum, I require at least 10 sources for the class project. If you are in a group then each person must contribute at least 10 sources. Ex- 3 people in your group = 30 sources. Type of sources. You are encouraged to use a variety of sources when making this project. By doing this, it will encourage you to find information about your topic from a wider and more varied perspective. However, it is understood that students may not have access or the ability to visit all the libraries and archives available to them for research. Therefore, it is acceptable for you to use the Internet, and school library to research your topic and compile your information. Primary sources: First-hand account of information. A source that comes directly from the historical topic that you are researching. These can be difficult to find, but are considered a more believable source.

Examples: Artifacts, Interview with a person actually involved with the historical event. Autobiography, diary, personal letters, actual photographs, magazines (sometimes), newspapers (sometimes).Secondary Sources: Second-hand information. A source that is interpreted by someone else. These sources are easier to find, but are not considered as valuable as primary sources.Examples: textbook, encyclopedia, biography, Internet, paintings, newspapers, magazines, general reference books.

Format: Use the MLA style guide given to you in your Historical Research Unit packet.- It may either be typed or written in blue or black ink.- Remember it needs to be arraigned alphabetically.- Font size needs to be 10-12, if you are typing.- 1-inch margins, if you are typing.Separate Bibliographies for Primary and Secondary Sources.- Make two separate bibliographies for your project. On one sheet of paper you will write your primary sources that you used, and on another sheet of paper you will write your secondary sources. They both use exactly the same format. By doing it this way you will show me that you understand the difference between the two types of sources, and how you used them in making your project.Annotated Bibliography- According to the NHD rules, you must complete an annotated bibliography for the competition. This type of bibliography is exactly the same as a regular bibliography or works cited page, except now you must add 1-2 sentences under each source stating what the most important piece of information was that you found from that source.

***All project categories must have an annotated bibliographyExample annotated source entry.Crowded, Joan. Too Many People. New York: The Viking Press, 1998.This secondary source was very helpful in giving statistics over the past 50 years on how rapidly the world’s population has grown, and what this could mean in terms of managing the Earth’s limited natural resources.

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Due DatesDates are subject to change

Due Dates

1) Topic and Project Type Selected ________- You will also tell me if you are working by yourself or in a group.

2) Thesis Statement ________- You must do some beginning research before writing your thesis.

3) Research Check #1 ________- Should have a minimum of 5 sources w/notes.- You must have properly cited bibliographic information for each source.- It will be your choice how to submit these. They can be typed on a word document, written on index cards, or written in a notebook…

4) Research Check #2 ________- Should have a minimum of 10 sources total at this point w/notes - You must have properly cited bibliographic information for each source.- It will be your choice how to submit these. They may be typed on a word document, index cards, or in a notebook…

5) Rough Draft ________- All written work must be submitted on turnitin.com.- Documentaries and drama performances will turn in a copy of the script.- Exhibit boards will turn in all written materials that appear on the board (section write-ups, captions, etc.)- Research papers will turn in a copy of the paper.- Websites will turn in all written materials that appear on each page of the website.6) Final Project ___________- Main Project- Annotated Bibliography- turned in on turnitin.com.*Follow the directions for how to turn in your project

Exhibit Boards- Name on the back of the board, turn it in to Mrs. Mast’s room.

Websites- On a separate sheet of paper give the teacher the address for your website and your user name and

password for your Weebly account.

Documentary- Give the project to your teacher on a flash drive/ disk or email it to the teacher.

Research Papers- will be submitted on turnitin.com.

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Grading the Project

To reach mastery, you must receive a 3 or higher on all four learning goals. You will receive a separate grade for each learning goal. If you fail to reach mastery on any learning goal, you will have the opportunity to re-do that part of your project.

Learning Goal 1: Students will be able to construct and interpret, charts, graphs, and timelines by using the historical data researched.- I will be looking at the graphs, timelines or charts in the main part of your project to grade this

learning goal.

Scale:4 3 2 1

In addition to level 3, student was able to analyze charts, graphs, and timelines using the historical data researched.

Student was able to construct and interpret, charts, graphs, and timelines by using the historical data researched.

Student was able to construct, charts, graphs, and timelines by using the historical data researched.

Student was able to partially construct, charts, graphs, and timelines using the historical data researched.

Learning Goal 2: Students will be able to formulate a thesis statement and answer it through historical research.- I will look at your thesis statement and the main part of your project to grade this learning goal.

Scale:4 3 2 1

In addition to level 3, student was able to formulate a thesis statement and answer while analyzing through historical research.

Student was able to formulate a thesis statement and answer it through historical research.

Student was able to formulate a thesis statement.

Student could only partially formulate a thesis statement.

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Learning Goal 3: Students will be able to identify, explain, and use credible primary/ secondary sources to research topic.- Use of annotations in the bibliography to explain how the sources were used to create the project.- Describe the relationship between primary and secondary sources.- I will use your annotated bibliography to grade this learning goal.

Scale:4 3 2 1

In addition to level 3, student was able to analyze his/her use of primary/ secondary sources to research topic.

Student was able to identify, explain and use credible primary/ secondary sources to research topic.

Student was able to identify and use credible primary/ secondary sources to research topic.

Student could only partially identify, and use credible primary/ secondary sources to research topic.

Learning Goal 4: Students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking by explaining/analyzing the topic’s causes and effects while comparing other points of view. - Bias of sources.- Form individual point of view.- I will be looking at the main part of your project to grade this learning goal.

Scale:4 3 2 1

In addition to level 3, student was able to draw conclusions to the topic’s causes and effects while comparing other points of view.

Student was able to demonstrate critical thinking by explaining the topic’s causes and effects while comparing other points of view.

Student was able to demonstrate critical thinking by identifying the topic’s causes and effects while comparing other points of view.

Student could only partially demonstrate critical thinking when identifying the topic’s causes and effects while comparing other points of view.

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