Rounding out the Regional Season
There are three more regional events before we're on the home stretch to Ohio History Day:
March 28th- District 2 History Day at the Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont and District 10 History Day at Marietta College.
April 4th- District 4 History Day at Youngstown State University.
Reminder to all state qualifiers, registration forms, paper entries, web sites entries and special awards nominations are all due to our office April 11th. It is essential to get that info to us so we can finish planning and get the schedule back to all of you as quickly as possible.
As an FYI:
The Ohio Historical Society will furlough its employees for the week of March 28-April 3, 2009. As a result, its offices and select sites will be closed. The NHD-OH staff will be back to work April 4th. Visit www.ohiohistory.org for more information.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Support National History Day, Call your Representative
CALL TO ACTION
CALL CONGRESS TODAY IN SUPPORT OF NHD FUNDING
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010
.
National History Day (NHD) is asking for your help to gain support from members of Congress for a $5 million National History Day appropriation that will help our state programs grow and improve.
Thanks to your efforts, NHD was included in the omnibus bill for FY 2009 with an appropriation of $500,000! It’s important to note that to be included in a congressional budget for the first time is a major accomplishment. National History Day clearly has the attention of members of Congress, so let’s try and build on our success for the 2010 budget. Keep in mind that we have programs across the country that could use the extra help of an increased congressional appropriation.
Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is circulating what is called a “Dear Colleague” letter. The letter is similar to a petition that members of Congress sign in support of funding a program (click here to view the Dear Colleague Letter).The Dear Colleague asks all members of the House to sign their name to the letter supporting NHD. This letter is addressed to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee asking them to support funding NHD in the FY 2010 budget. It is very important to get support from as many members of Congress as soon as possible. This is a very common practice which is implemented during the appropriations process. It is important that we get as many signatures as we can – as soon as we can (in the next two weeks). The appropriations committee will literally count every signature and the more signatures we have the better chance we will have of getting $5 million in support.
What to do?Never called your Member of Congress before? Don't worry, it's easy! When you call your Representative, your call will be answered by a receptionist. Tell him or her that you want to leave a message for the Representative. The receptionist will take down your message.
We need your help. Congress must hear from you today!
NHD NEEDS YOUR HELP TODAY! We have two weeks and it is critical that you pick up the phone today to contact your members of Congress and ask them to sign the NHD Dear Colleague Letter. Our goal is get as many members of Congress to sign this letter in two weeks which will demonstrate wide-spread support for funding for the NHD program.
When calling a Representative’s office, tell them:
Your name and the city and state you live in.
You say you’re calling today to urge the Representative to sign the Dear Colleague letter, in support of funding for National History Day in the FY 2010 budget. The letter is being circulated by Rep. Van Hollen.
Tell them why this money would be helpful to the NHD program in your state and district. How would it make an impact to increase the number of participants and improve overall programmatic efforts in the state.
Tell your member of Congress they can contact Sarah Schenning in Rep. Van Hollen's office at 225-5341 with questions or to sign the letter.
How to Contact a Member of Congress
To find your Member’s contact information, including phone and fax numbers, visit www.house.gov, www.senate.gov, or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Representative.
If you have any questions contact Noah Shaw at National History Day at 301.314.8379
CALL TO ACTION
CALL CONGRESS TODAY IN SUPPORT OF NHD FUNDING
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010
.
National History Day (NHD) is asking for your help to gain support from members of Congress for a $5 million National History Day appropriation that will help our state programs grow and improve.
Thanks to your efforts, NHD was included in the omnibus bill for FY 2009 with an appropriation of $500,000! It’s important to note that to be included in a congressional budget for the first time is a major accomplishment. National History Day clearly has the attention of members of Congress, so let’s try and build on our success for the 2010 budget. Keep in mind that we have programs across the country that could use the extra help of an increased congressional appropriation.
Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is circulating what is called a “Dear Colleague” letter. The letter is similar to a petition that members of Congress sign in support of funding a program (click here to view the Dear Colleague Letter).The Dear Colleague asks all members of the House to sign their name to the letter supporting NHD. This letter is addressed to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee asking them to support funding NHD in the FY 2010 budget. It is very important to get support from as many members of Congress as soon as possible. This is a very common practice which is implemented during the appropriations process. It is important that we get as many signatures as we can – as soon as we can (in the next two weeks). The appropriations committee will literally count every signature and the more signatures we have the better chance we will have of getting $5 million in support.
What to do?Never called your Member of Congress before? Don't worry, it's easy! When you call your Representative, your call will be answered by a receptionist. Tell him or her that you want to leave a message for the Representative. The receptionist will take down your message.
We need your help. Congress must hear from you today!
NHD NEEDS YOUR HELP TODAY! We have two weeks and it is critical that you pick up the phone today to contact your members of Congress and ask them to sign the NHD Dear Colleague Letter. Our goal is get as many members of Congress to sign this letter in two weeks which will demonstrate wide-spread support for funding for the NHD program.
When calling a Representative’s office, tell them:
Your name and the city and state you live in.
You say you’re calling today to urge the Representative to sign the Dear Colleague letter, in support of funding for National History Day in the FY 2010 budget. The letter is being circulated by Rep. Van Hollen.
Tell them why this money would be helpful to the NHD program in your state and district. How would it make an impact to increase the number of participants and improve overall programmatic efforts in the state.
Tell your member of Congress they can contact Sarah Schenning in Rep. Van Hollen's office at 225-5341 with questions or to sign the letter.
How to Contact a Member of Congress
To find your Member’s contact information, including phone and fax numbers, visit www.house.gov, www.senate.gov, or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Representative.
If you have any questions contact Noah Shaw at National History Day at 301.314.8379
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
More Tails from the Regions
It has been a busy few weeks for History Day. On Saturday we hosted the largest District 6 event in Columbus ever with over 480 registrants! Congratulations to all the students. Click here to see the results.
Some more tips about preparing for your events:
- Find out about run offs or second round judging. Do you need to stick around after your judging time? Should you leave your exhibit up all day?
- Dress professionally. Make sure you put your best foot forward.
- Read all directions, signs and paperwork handed out; you don't want to miss anything.
I also visited Marietta Middle School last night where all the eighth graders presented their projects. I had the chance to view and evaluate over 30 projects. Some other tips that come to mind:
- Make sure your main point, or what you think the main impact you individual had on history, is clearly on your exhibit.
- Don't assume that the audience knows anything about your topic. Have you clearly explained the context, or the events surrounding your individual.
- Don't get too fancy with your process paper and annotated bibliography. Just staple them together; it's easier to read than fancy book report holders.
For students moving on to Ohio History Day, now is the time to look at your evaluation forms and start revising your project. The work of a historian is never done. When writing a paper or putting together projects, historians revise over and over and over again.
This weekend takes the History Day Expert to Cincinnati for District 8 History Day. Other events going on will be District 3 History Day at the campus of Case Western Reserve University and District 1 on the campus of the University of Toledo.
Best of luck to everyone preparing for the weekend!
It has been a busy few weeks for History Day. On Saturday we hosted the largest District 6 event in Columbus ever with over 480 registrants! Congratulations to all the students. Click here to see the results.
Some more tips about preparing for your events:
- Find out about run offs or second round judging. Do you need to stick around after your judging time? Should you leave your exhibit up all day?
- Dress professionally. Make sure you put your best foot forward.
- Read all directions, signs and paperwork handed out; you don't want to miss anything.
I also visited Marietta Middle School last night where all the eighth graders presented their projects. I had the chance to view and evaluate over 30 projects. Some other tips that come to mind:
- Make sure your main point, or what you think the main impact you individual had on history, is clearly on your exhibit.
- Don't assume that the audience knows anything about your topic. Have you clearly explained the context, or the events surrounding your individual.
- Don't get too fancy with your process paper and annotated bibliography. Just staple them together; it's easier to read than fancy book report holders.
For students moving on to Ohio History Day, now is the time to look at your evaluation forms and start revising your project. The work of a historian is never done. When writing a paper or putting together projects, historians revise over and over and over again.
This weekend takes the History Day Expert to Cincinnati for District 8 History Day. Other events going on will be District 3 History Day at the campus of Case Western Reserve University and District 1 on the campus of the University of Toledo.
Best of luck to everyone preparing for the weekend!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Regional (District) History Day Events
Last weekend was the beginning of our District History Day events in Ohio. Students competed at Colonel White High School in Dayton and the University of Rio Grande for District 9. Congratulations to the students that qualified for Ohio History Day and thanks to all the staff for their hard work.
Some things to remember when competing...
Bring your process paper and annotated bibliography stapled together with a cover page. No fancy report covers needed!
Make sure you're ready to talk about the IMPACT your individual had on history.
Show up on time!!!
Dress professionally....put your best foot forward.
Relax and enjoy the process, you've worked hard, you deserve it.
Coming up this week: District 5 History Day at the Wm. McKinley Presidential Museum and Library, District 7 History Day at Piqua High School, and District 6 History Day at the Ohio Historical Center. Check back for a link to the winners.
Last weekend was the beginning of our District History Day events in Ohio. Students competed at Colonel White High School in Dayton and the University of Rio Grande for District 9. Congratulations to the students that qualified for Ohio History Day and thanks to all the staff for their hard work.
Some things to remember when competing...
Bring your process paper and annotated bibliography stapled together with a cover page. No fancy report covers needed!
Make sure you're ready to talk about the IMPACT your individual had on history.
Show up on time!!!
Dress professionally....put your best foot forward.
Relax and enjoy the process, you've worked hard, you deserve it.
Coming up this week: District 5 History Day at the Wm. McKinley Presidential Museum and Library, District 7 History Day at Piqua High School, and District 6 History Day at the Ohio Historical Center. Check back for a link to the winners.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Observations from School History Day Events
In the last two weeks I've visited five school events around the state. There are some comments I'd like to make to the whole group and common questions.
1. Make sure you have a thesis statement that tells your audience WHY your individual is important in history. Once you have a thesis statement, make sure all parts of your project support that thesis. I've seen a lot of biographical information that doesn't really help the audience understand the person's impact on history.
2. Do you place your topic in historical context? Make sure you recognize what may have happened before or after you individual acted that is relevant to your topic. EXAMPLE: Your topic is the Wright Brothers. Your project should address what attempts at flight were going on before the Wright Brothers first flight, and what the ultimate impact of their discovery was (use of airplanes commercially, use of airplanes for travel, use of airplanes in the military...)
3. The process paper is just about process, not a research paper. The process paper is only about four things: How you choose your topic, how you did your research, why you choose your category, and how your topic relates to the theme.
4. Double-check spelling in grammar!
5. Anything listed in the primary source section should be created at the time of the event or by someone who witnessed the event. If you took a picture out of a book, you need cite the book as secondary and explain what you used in the annotation.
Send any questions my way and good luck with final revisions!
In the last two weeks I've visited five school events around the state. There are some comments I'd like to make to the whole group and common questions.
1. Make sure you have a thesis statement that tells your audience WHY your individual is important in history. Once you have a thesis statement, make sure all parts of your project support that thesis. I've seen a lot of biographical information that doesn't really help the audience understand the person's impact on history.
2. Do you place your topic in historical context? Make sure you recognize what may have happened before or after you individual acted that is relevant to your topic. EXAMPLE: Your topic is the Wright Brothers. Your project should address what attempts at flight were going on before the Wright Brothers first flight, and what the ultimate impact of their discovery was (use of airplanes commercially, use of airplanes for travel, use of airplanes in the military...)
3. The process paper is just about process, not a research paper. The process paper is only about four things: How you choose your topic, how you did your research, why you choose your category, and how your topic relates to the theme.
4. Double-check spelling in grammar!
5. Anything listed in the primary source section should be created at the time of the event or by someone who witnessed the event. If you took a picture out of a book, you need cite the book as secondary and explain what you used in the annotation.
Send any questions my way and good luck with final revisions!
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