History Day Right Before the Holidays
Today we hosted students at the Ohio Historical Center and helped them begin and continue finishing their projects. I applaud these young scholars for coming out in the snow during their winter breaks.
We saw some interesting topics today and it made me think of some tips for all students undergoing a big research project.
-Start simple. Make sure you understand the basics of your project. Who is this person? When did her or she live? What makes him or her important in history? Sometimes creating a timeline so that you understand the important points in your individual's life.
-Figure out why they're important. We tend to hold on to the idea that famous people, or historical figures are important....well....just because. But that isn't true. The whole time you're putting together your timeline or research, keep in mind, this question: so what? Why should you care about this individual? What did her or she do that was so important?
-Narrow it down. It is difficult to discuss every aspect of a person's life or accomplishments, so decide what angle you're going to approach it from. Don't try to take on too much. It is OK to focus on someones role in one battle, or one part of a war. Sometimes trying to cover and understand it all is more than will fit into a History Day project.
Many of you are furiously gathering information, which is great. I just encourage everyone to stop and think: "do I really get this?" Sometimes really getting an idea of the big picture will better help you focus in on the details.
Thanks to all the History Day students, parents, family members, and other drivers for coming today. I enjoyed learning about: General Montgomery, Robert Oppenheimer, William Shakespeare, Socrates, Sacajawea, Harriett Beecher Stowe, Chief Pontiac, Vivaldi, Thomas Edison, and Joshua Chamberlain.
HAPPY HISTORY DAY TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Almost Holiday Break
Ho, ho, ho, Happy History Day!
Today I visited the fifth graders at Fairwood Elementary in Columbus. In Ohio we have a Youth Division to encourage an early start for 4th and 5th grade students. I haven't talked much in the blog about the youth division. It is very similar to traditional History Day with some exceptions:
I mentioned briefly a great website for research on almost any American history topic: American Memory. Stayed tuned for more ideas and activities to help understand how to use primary sources to create projects.
Thanks to the fifth graders at Fairwood! This was my last school visit until 2009, but check the blog for ideas and other updates. The History Day Expert will be working hard over the holiday break.
Ho, ho, ho, Happy History Day!
Today I visited the fifth graders at Fairwood Elementary in Columbus. In Ohio we have a Youth Division to encourage an early start for 4th and 5th grade students. I haven't talked much in the blog about the youth division. It is very similar to traditional History Day with some exceptions:
- Students complete either an exhibit or performance(new this year!)
- Groups consist of 2-3 students
- Competition takes place at the state level only (April 25th at Columbus State)
- Exhibits are up to 3 feet tall with up to 300 student composed words
- Performances are up to 7 minutes long
- Process papers are 200-300 words
I mentioned briefly a great website for research on almost any American history topic: American Memory. Stayed tuned for more ideas and activities to help understand how to use primary sources to create projects.
Thanks to the fifth graders at Fairwood! This was my last school visit until 2009, but check the blog for ideas and other updates. The History Day Expert will be working hard over the holiday break.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Why Bibliographies?
Yesterday I traveled to Blanchester, OH to visit their History Club. Blanchester Intermediate School is in its second year of having a History Club and participating in NHD. This year, I focused my time on the bibliography.
Why do we even use bibliographies? There are several reasons:
First, like a lab report in a science experiment, a bibliography lets other scholars see the research you did and replicate it.
Second, a bibliography keeps you honest and makes you report what other research (secondary sources) you looked at.
Third, bibliographies help add to our general knowledge about the historical record. If you come across a really interesting set of letters from the Civil War that no one else has looked at, other scholars can look at your bibliography and learn about a different primary source.
Are bibliographies fun to put together....well that depends on how nerdy you are, but they are a necessary part of the historical process. As far as History Day goes, it also shows your teacher or judges just how much work you did for your project.
Thanks to the History Club in Blanchester.
I also have say hello to Julia and Rachel in Westerville. Great idea! Keep up the enthusiasm and feel better Rachel!
Yesterday I traveled to Blanchester, OH to visit their History Club. Blanchester Intermediate School is in its second year of having a History Club and participating in NHD. This year, I focused my time on the bibliography.
Why do we even use bibliographies? There are several reasons:
First, like a lab report in a science experiment, a bibliography lets other scholars see the research you did and replicate it.
Second, a bibliography keeps you honest and makes you report what other research (secondary sources) you looked at.
Third, bibliographies help add to our general knowledge about the historical record. If you come across a really interesting set of letters from the Civil War that no one else has looked at, other scholars can look at your bibliography and learn about a different primary source.
Are bibliographies fun to put together....well that depends on how nerdy you are, but they are a necessary part of the historical process. As far as History Day goes, it also shows your teacher or judges just how much work you did for your project.
Thanks to the History Club in Blanchester.
I also have say hello to Julia and Rachel in Westerville. Great idea! Keep up the enthusiasm and feel better Rachel!
Monday, December 15, 2008
History Day on the Snowy Roads
On Friday I visited with the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at St. Joseph School in Monroeville. The students have all selected their individuals are started to dig into their backgrounds and focus their projects. A really good point came up in our discussion.
Take a famous person in history like Helen Keller. Well, why was she famous? She's well known because she overcame being deaf and blind. How do we know her story? What makes her significant.
These last two questions really delve into the meat of a History Day project. Don't take for granted that someone is important because they're well known. Why are they well known? Why do we know their stories. Or, conversely, if the person isn't well known why should we know their story?
Another example is Beethoven. Why is he well known? Because he wrote music. What was so special or important about his music that we still know it and listen to it today? What did Beethoven do that was different or innovate.
So the lesson, find out why your individual is significant in history. Question the obvious. We learn about a lot of individuals in history class, so we think that's what makes them important. But it is their actions and their legacy that makes them important in history.
I'd like to thank the brave students at St. Joseph's for sharing their ideas, listening to my comments and criticism, and playing our world famous game show!
On Friday I visited with the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at St. Joseph School in Monroeville. The students have all selected their individuals are started to dig into their backgrounds and focus their projects. A really good point came up in our discussion.
Take a famous person in history like Helen Keller. Well, why was she famous? She's well known because she overcame being deaf and blind. How do we know her story? What makes her significant.
These last two questions really delve into the meat of a History Day project. Don't take for granted that someone is important because they're well known. Why are they well known? Why do we know their stories. Or, conversely, if the person isn't well known why should we know their story?
Another example is Beethoven. Why is he well known? Because he wrote music. What was so special or important about his music that we still know it and listen to it today? What did Beethoven do that was different or innovate.
So the lesson, find out why your individual is significant in history. Question the obvious. We learn about a lot of individuals in history class, so we think that's what makes them important. But it is their actions and their legacy that makes them important in history.
I'd like to thank the brave students at St. Joseph's for sharing their ideas, listening to my comments and criticism, and playing our world famous game show!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Primary Sources Online
For the student that asked today, NHD-OH puts together a list of reliable places to do research online. You can find it at: http://www.ohiohistory.org/historyday/pdf/internetsources.pdf.
For the student that asked today, NHD-OH puts together a list of reliable places to do research online. You can find it at: http://www.ohiohistory.org/historyday/pdf/internetsources.pdf.
Rainy Day in West Columbus
I returned from a trip to D.C. to a white Columbus to be quickly followed by today's snow. But that didn't stop me from visiting the students at West High School in Columbus.
Today I introduced them to History Day, especially in regards to exhibits and documentaries.
As you start to think about your research, especially Internet research, take a look at this matrix for analyzing Internet sources. The further down and to the right your source falls, the less reliable it is as an Internet source. This is a great way to help you decide whether or not you should use a web site as a source for History Day. The example matrix provided is pretty helpful in understanding the concept. Where would Wikipedia fall? Where would the Library of Congress fall?
The students at West High School are just getting geared up and are choosing topics by Friday. Check out the blog archives to see what ideas other students have brought up during the school year.
I returned from a trip to D.C. to a white Columbus to be quickly followed by today's snow. But that didn't stop me from visiting the students at West High School in Columbus.
Today I introduced them to History Day, especially in regards to exhibits and documentaries.
As you start to think about your research, especially Internet research, take a look at this matrix for analyzing Internet sources. The further down and to the right your source falls, the less reliable it is as an Internet source. This is a great way to help you decide whether or not you should use a web site as a source for History Day. The example matrix provided is pretty helpful in understanding the concept. Where would Wikipedia fall? Where would the Library of Congress fall?
The students at West High School are just getting geared up and are choosing topics by Friday. Check out the blog archives to see what ideas other students have brought up during the school year.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Back to the Cleve
Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day at Whitney Young School in Cleveland with the 7th and 8th grade students.
One activity that I do with many groups is to brainstorm about types of primary sources we would leave behind from our lives. By looking into the future 100 years, the students make a list of primary sources that a historian could examine about their lives. I have to applaud the students at Whitney Young for their creative spirit with this activity. They came up with things like:
Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day at Whitney Young School in Cleveland with the 7th and 8th grade students.
One activity that I do with many groups is to brainstorm about types of primary sources we would leave behind from our lives. By looking into the future 100 years, the students make a list of primary sources that a historian could examine about their lives. I have to applaud the students at Whitney Young for their creative spirit with this activity. They came up with things like:
- Hall of Fame records (for the future sports stars)
- Academy Awards (for the future actors and actresses)
- Audio Interviews
- Fan Club (for anyone who will be famous enough to have a fan club)
- Architect drawings
- Artwork
- Vet records (so the historian could find out about pets)
- Family Tree
- Scripts written for plays or movies (for the future playwright)
The list could go on and on. The students at Whitney Young were very engaged in this activity and look forward to seeing their projects.
Winter break is sneaking up on us quickly. I also want to remind everyone to have a plan of action. What research, writing, or group work can you get done over the break. Never hesitate to contact me with questions. While you're on break we'll be here working away.
For the History Day Expert, everyday is History Day!
Monday, December 01, 2008
Help with History Day Projects over Winter Break
On Tuesdays December 23rd and 30th, our staff will be available at the Ohio Historical Center (the history mushroom) to help students out with:
On Tuesdays December 23rd and 30th, our staff will be available at the Ohio Historical Center (the history mushroom) to help students out with:
- research
- topic selection
- topic narrowing
- project consultation
- project creation
The library will open for students from 1pm-5pm. If you're interested in attending, please drop email us at historyday@ohiohistory.org or call 614.297.2343. Click here to download a flyer.
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