HISTORY DAY IN MINNESOTA

Judge’s Orientation

Thank you!

Thank you for answering the call to judging!

30,000 students+ 12 regional events+ 1 state event= hundreds of

volunteers!

History Day

Five Categories Paper Exhibit Documentary Performance Website

Two Age Divisions Junior (6-8 grade) Senior (9-12 grade)

Annual Theme:Innovation in History:

Impact and Change

The Contest

Regional Events: 4,500 studentsDefined by ECSU boundaries, contests occur

throughout the month of March

State Event: 1,200 studentsUniversity of Minnesota, Twin Cities

May 1, 2010

National Event: 55 students

Univ. of MD, College ParkJune 13-17, 2010

School Events: 30,000 studentsTake place in individual schools, organized by a lead teacher or coordinator—occur in February or March

EVALUATION

Assessing History Day Entries

Judge Ratings

History Day evaluates entries using the relative terms of:

“Good”

“Excellent”

“Superior”The goal is to focus on the relative merits or areas for improvement in each entry.

In your set of evaluated projects, focus on ranking them against one another based on the provided criteria.

Judging Criteria: Historical Quality

Central Argument: The Thesis

Be wary of “if not for this, than that” analysis.

Are students giving their topic too much credit?

Have students supported their claims with evidence?

2009 Individual in History Example

Central Argument: The Thesis

Look for a thesis statement that contains: A connection to the annual theme A clear argument that can be supported with

evidence A statement of impact

Judging Criteria: Relation to Theme

Innovation in History: Impact and Change

Innovation in History: Impact & Change New for the first time, or as if for the first

time Inventions Methods Ideas

Consider innovative for its place and time Peaceful protest: new places, new eras

Not a history of an invention (biography), but what is innovative and how it created impact

Judging Criteria: Clarity of Presentation

Judging Criteria: Rule Compliance Exhibits

500 student-composed word limit 6’ tall, 40” wide, 30” deep

Performances 10 minutes in length

Documentaries 10 minutes in length

That Empty Column

Through thoughtful comments you can: Provide positive, but

critical evaluation of each entry

Suggest improvements for future participation or other research projects

Support the students’ interest and encourage future research and study

[something positive]

You may want to…

Did you consider…

Other issues important

to this topic are...

…would strengthen your

bibliography.

…might help support

your thesis.

[something positive]

Final Checklist

Does the student’s work demonstrate historical research and scholarship?

Does the student present an argument about their stated connection to the theme “Innovation in History: Impact and Change” (thesis)?(Remember, the student’s views may differ from your own, consider the evidence they have provided rather than their beliefs)

Is the student communicating his or her ideas in an organized and effective way?

Has this student done careful and reasoned work?

JUDGING PROCESS

History Day’s Contest Logistics

Finding your Judging Location

Your judging location is noted at the top, left of your judging schedule next to your team number.

CMU: Coffman Memorial Union

Ford, Vincent, Murphy, and Kolthoff are located on the Northrop Mall. Exit CMU on the 1st floor, proceed over the Washington Ave. pedestrian bridge

Begin with a Smile

Start with a smile and a handshake

Brief students on the judging process to set them at ease

Request copies of the student’s Process Paper and Bibliography

Performance and Documentary judges: Encourage students to begin their presentation set-up

Read through the Research

Skim the student’s Process Paper and Bibliography

Note any questions you might have about their process or sources

Retain one copy of this paperwork for your team to use during the deliberation process

View the Presentation

The judging rooms are open to the public

Exhibit Judges: Read the text of the display (students should not give you an oral presentation)

Performance and Documentary Judges: Give students the go-ahead to begin their introduction and presentation.

Performance and Documentary Judges: DO NOT start early

Take careful notes for reference during the deliberation and comment writing process

Trouble Viewing the Presentation?Technology Help:

Use the classroom phone to dial 6-2169 Provide your location and technology

concerns HD staff will notify the tech specialist

Other Viewing Issues: 6-2169 will connect you with the Judge

Room staff Bowling-shirted building coordinators are

also standing by to provide logistical support

Ask Questions Asks students at MINIMUM 3 questions

About their topic About their History Day journey Clarification from the content or

paperwork Questions might include:

How did you choose your topic? Which of your sources was most helpful? What is the most interesting thing you

learned? What was the most challenging aspect of

your History Day project and research? Try to end the conversation with:

Is there anything else you would like to tell us that we haven’t thought to ask?

Do NOT use this time to: Provide Feedback Lecture the student about their topic Tell the student how they stack up

against the competition

Discuss

After you have viewed all your projects, return to the judges’ room to discuss!

Avoid discussing projects in judging areas where students, teachers, and parents eagerly await your opinions

Make sure that all members of the judging team have room to offer their perspective and feel good about the final decision

The BIG Decisions

BEFORE DRAFTING COMMENTS, determine which projects stand out as the strongest

Complete the provided Results Form (Order matters!)

Submit the Results Form to State History Day staff

A second round of judging will combine your results with other top projects from your category and determine who advances to nationals

Draft your Comments

Each member of the judging team should write his or her own comments

Comments do not need to be identical, but should not be contradictory

Record check marks and an overall rating that demonstrate consensus on the student’s overall evaluation

Submit the Paperwork

History Day professionals will be standing by to accept your paperwork. Please make sure you leave us your:

Contest Result Forms

Completed Comment Forms

Student Bibliographies

Unwanted event papers for recycling

Box-less Box Lunches

Lunch will be available in the Servery.

Please limit your lunch to one of each item offered (two half-sandwiches count as ONE)

Our Thanks

Your judge ribbon will earn you: Food Clothing Shelter

Take your judge ribbon to our concession stand (ground level) and trade it in for a mug or T-shirt

HAVE FUN!