National History Day in Wisconsin:Beginning Your History Day

Adventure!

What can you do with NHD?

• BECOME an historian• Explore the history of

something that interests YOU• Create a project to SHARE

your ideas with others• Enter a competitive cycle -

ADVANCE to regional, state, and national contests

How does NHD work?• Work alone or in a group• Select a topic connected to annual theme• Complete your own research • Analyze the significance

of topic in history• Present your ideas

through a creative project

• Compete in series of regional, state, and national competitions(optional)

What do students think about NHD?

• “[NHD] made me PASSIONATE about history.”

• “[History Day] ROCKS! Not only do I actually pay attention in history class now, I actually want to learn more about it. I want to go beyond the little wimpy preliminary research textbook and find primary sources and first hand references.”

Annual Theme

Select a topic based on an annual theme.

• Topics must be connected to the to theme

• Annual theme is broad enough to cover a wide range of topics

2012 NHD Annual Theme

Revolution, Reaction, Reform

in History

The Annual Theme

• Revolution: Overthrow of one government and replacement with another. Dramatic and wide-reaching change.

• Reaction: Response. Reactions can be words, actions, or changes in way of thinking.

• Reform: To change. Remember, not all reforms were positive for everyone involved. The impact of a reform may change over time

• In History: Look at the significance of the topic over time.

Topic BrainstormWhat about…

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Topic Brainstorm

What topics can YOU think of that are examples of Revolution, Reaction, Reform in history:

Picking an NHD Topic

• Needs to connect to the annual theme, but…

• There are endless topic possibilities!

• Everything has a history!

Tips for Picking Topics• Is your topic too new?

– Avoid current events… Delve into a part of history!– More than 20 years in the past as a rule of thumb

The anti and pro-union protests that took

place in Wisconsin in 2011

Use the topic as inspiration for a more historic, related

issue.

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Tips for Picking Topics• Is your topic too broad? Narrow topic by time period,

people, event, or geographic area. Look at something specific related to the broad topic

The entire history of the American Revolution

Look at one particular aspect of that larger topic,

such as the role of the Stamp Act in the coming of the American Revolution

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Tips for Picking Topics

• Other questions to consider:– Available resources: Are there primary and secondary

sources that you can access about this topic?– Do you like the topic? NHD is a long-term project. Pick

a topic that interests you!

The NHD Process

Research Analyze Present

The Three Hats of the Historian

ResearchResearch your topics using primary and secondary sources.

“NHD really helped me with my research

skills. During the research I learned to use the Archives and

microfilm.”

"During my research I was able to visit the archives at UW-GB. I

found that often the primary sources had better opinions and

more meaningful information than the compiled secondary

sources."

Research• Start with Secondary

Sources– A book about your topic– A good website from a

reliable source• Move to Primary Sources

– Photographs, interviews, books written by participants, newspaper articles, etc.

Primary and Secondary Sources

• Primary Sources– Connected to an event by time or participation– Created at the time of the event or by someone who

witnessed the event• Secondary Sources

– Created after the fact and analyzes primary sources to create an historical narrative

• Need both types of research for a good NHD project

Where to find information?

•School Library

•Public Library

•University/College Library

•Archives

•Historical Societies

•Museums

•The Internet

Analyze

Become the Historian!

“The feeling of understanding history and

being able to make an argument about something that has already happened

made this entire experience worthwhile.”

Thesis and Analysis

• History Day is more than just a book report

• Analyze your research to figure out why your topic is significant in history

• Develop a thesis statement about your topic

Present

• Exhibits• Documentaries• Web Sites• Performances• Papers

(individuals only)

Students present their research in one of several creative

formats:

Selecting a Category

• Pick a category YOU like:– Do you like working with technology?– Do you like performing on stage?– Do you like writing?

• Pick a category that works with your topic:– Are there enough visuals for this topic to make a

documentary? An exhibit? A website?– Can you focus on a specific person or event for a

performance?

Exhibits• Similar to what you might

see in a museum• Uses text, images,

objects, etc. to make an argument

• Up to 6’ tall, 40” wide, 30” deep

• 500 student-composed words

• Most popular NHD category

Exhibits – A Closer Look

Documentaries

• Similar to what you might see on PBS or the History Channel

• 10-minute media presentation

• Great category if you like technology and have a visual topic

Performances• 10-minute dramatic

performance• Conveys your argument

and evidence• Uses scripts, costumes,

props, etc. • Great category for

performers who love to be on stage: actors, singers, dancers

Papers• Individual papers only – no

group entries• 1,500 - 2,500 word essay

about an historical topic • Includes citations:

footnotes, endnotes, or internal documentation

• Great category for aspiring writers and those who don’t mind working alone

Web Sites• 1,200 visible, student-

composed words, 100 MB size limit

• Incorporates text, images, media, and more to make an argument

• Created using the NHD Website Editor – provided free online

The Competitive Cycle

• Optional part of NHD• Gives you the chance to

share your work outside the classroom

• Discuss your ideas with peers, judges, teachers, and more

NHD Competitive Cycle

• Advance from:– School Event (Optional – you may or may not

have a school event depending on the number of students participating at your school)

– Regional Competitions– State Event– National Contest

NHD Competition CategoriesJunior Division

(Grades 6-8)• Individual Exhibit• Group Exhibit• Individual Documentary• Group Documentary• Individual Performance• Group Performance• Individual Website• Group Website• Individual Paper

Senior Division(Grades 9-12)

• Individual Exhibit• Group Exhibit• Individual Documentary• Group Documentary• Individual Performance• Group Performance• Individual Website• Group Website• Individual Paper

Judging Criteria• The same criteria are used at all levels of NHD

competitions:– 60% Historical Quality: Accuracy, analysis, interpretation,

historical context, and the quality of research. – 20% Connection to Theme: Have you connected the topic to the

theme in the project itself?– 20% Clarity of Presentation: How clearly have you used the

project to convey your argument and evidence? Includes spelling, organization, etc.

– Rules Compliance: Have you violated any major rules for the category or NHD?

Regional Events

• March/April• Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison,

Milwaukee, Stevens Point

Wisconsin State Event

• Madison - Saturday, May 5, 2012• More than 450 students, 130 judges and volunteers, plus

parents, teachers, friends, and family

NHD National Contest

• June 10 – 14, 2012• College Park, Maryland (just outside Washington, D.C.)• 50-55 Wisconsin students each year

Have Questions?• Talk to your:

– Teacher: They can help with anything related to NHD.– Parents: They might have great ideas for topics!– School Librarian: They can help you find research

resources.– Public, College, or University Librarian: Can also help

with the research process.– Other Teachers: Technology staff, drama teacher,

media teacher, or others might be able to help with category-specific questions.

Contact Us!

Sarah AschbrennerState Coordinator

Sarah Michele KlentzAssistant Coordinator

historyday@wisconsinhistory.org or (608) 264-6487

Happy Researching!

Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing Stories Since 1846