National History DayLibrary Partnering

What is National History Day?

AppliedLearning Program

“Science Fair for History”

Sponsors

Minnesota Historical Society

University of Minnesota

Statewide Outreach

The Minnesota History Day

program has regional

partnerships with:

• Six State Universities

• Three Private Colleges

• Three U of M Campuses

HD Staff Structure

History Day staff provide classroom services statewide…

Katie Craven: Northwest

Rachel Hernandez: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Northeast

Heidi Kloempken: Southwest, South Central

Laura Zeccardi: West Central, Central, Southeast

School Participation

• Approx. 200 schools statewide

• Various Sizes

• Various Formats

• Teacher Driven

Classroom Implementation

National History Day offers flexibility to fit any classroom:

• Full classroom implementation• Elected pull-out program• After-school activity

Participation

• Junior Division– 6th - 8th Grade

• Senior Division– 9th - 12th Grade

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

Annual Theme• 2011: Debate & Diplomacy in History

• 2012: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History

• 2013: Turning Points in History

• 2014: Geography in History

• 2015: Rights & Responsibilities in History

Debate & Diplomacy:Successes, Failures, Consequences

2011 Theme

Sample Topics: Land Ordinance of 1785 1934 Indian Reorganization Act 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act Marshall PlanMissouri Compromise Equal Rights AmendmentClayton Anti-Trust Act Camp David Accords

*NO CURRENT DEBATE TOPICS!

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.

– Public Libraries– University Libraries– Archives – Historic Sites– Witnesses

Key Steps in the History Day Research Process

• Select a Topic• Conduct Preliminary Research• Learn Research & Organizational

Skills• Conduct Advanced Research• Document Research (Process Paper)

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

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

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

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

DocumentariesA video or multi-media presentation with recorded narration and supporting images (think Ken Burns!)

PerformancesA live presentation where a script, props and costumes come together to present a historical story

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 12-16, 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)

Why does History Day work?

Rigor

Relevance

Classroom Support

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

Library Strategies

• Feature Resources• Collaborate with Teachers• Educate about Research• Host a Hullabaloo Event• Support through Regional Networks• Help Judge at a History Day Event

Connect with Teachers…

who engage their students…

…to learn and create.

For over 20 years History Day has been a growing success story…

…helping students from the inner city…

…the suburbs…

…and Greater Minnesota…

...make history of their own.

The Bottom Line

The History Day partnership

provides students throughout

Minnesota with a structure that

has high academic expectations

and support services to improve

student achievement.

Library partnerships are critical to student success!

Research Challenges are Varied Depending on the Location of the

Student and Available Support

Quality of school libraries and access to online database resources varies widely

Teachers may not be working with media specialists to effectively guide students to library resources

Geography and socio-economic factors may limit library access for some students

Few teachers have experience using advanced libraries and archives

Common student research behaviors to

overcome…

“Googlepedia”

Research Equals

Click

Print

File/Paste

Please send me everything you

have on…

The web does not solve all of our challenges with youth researchers!

Interaction with staff and program partners has the most impact on History Day outcomes.

Strategy: Feature Resources

Create displays to feature relevant resources that correspond with each year’s theme.

Strategy: Collaborate with

TeachersGet involved in teaching good research skills!

TEACH:Library CatalogueCorrect Search TermsOnline ResourcesInterlibrary Loan

Strategy: Educate about Research• Record bibliographic information and a short

description about its use.

• Understand the difference between a search engine and a database!

• Use footnotes and endnotes to find additional sources.

• Scan or copy photographs while researching.

• Demonstrate how to use the local library and interlibrary loan.

Sources: Primary vs. Secondary

History Day uses slightly different criteria for determining what documents are primary and secondary source compared to archivists and librarians.

Copy of Mein Kampf

Primary or Secondary?

Academic Standards: NO- Published copy- Translated into English

History Day: YES- Student must analyze Hitler’s

viewpoint. - No access to archival copy

“Kissing the War Goodbye”

in a history textbook (with caption)Primary or Secondary?

Academic Standards: NO- Not original photograph- Analysis and interpretation have

already been done.

History Day: NO- Student is not able to draw their

own conclusions.- However, if no analysis has been

done the photograph could be considered a primary source.

Strategy: Host a History Day Hullaballoo Event

Hullabaloos are library open houses where students receive hands-on help from librarians and History Day Staff.

Hullaballoo Dates

Metro Area Greater MinnesotaCentral Library, Minneapolis Rochester Public Library,

RochesterDecember 11, 2010 January 5, 2011January 25, 2011 January 22, 2011February 19, 2011

Central Library, St. Paul University of Minnesota, DuluthFebruary 5, 2011 November 6, 2010

Ridgedale Library, Minnetonka St. Cloud State University, St. CloudJanuary 24, 2011 TBD

Strategy: Support through Regional Networks

• Insert yourself in regional partnership with research communities

• Utilize your school/community connections to promote History Day to teachers

• Participate in library events featured by your partner libraries

Strategy: Help Judge at Local History Day Events

School Competitions – February

Regional Competitions:

March 3 – Metro SeniorMarch 3 – South CentralMarch 5 – Metro Junior EastMarch 7 – St. Paul Public SchoolsMarch 8 – Metro Junior CentralMarch 10 – Metro Junior WestMarch 12 – NortheastMarch 17 – Southeast March 19 – CentralMarch 22 – West CentralMarch 23 – NorthwestMarch 28 - SouthwestApril 2 - Minneapolis