Benefits of History Day and A Fun Field Trip

NHD Benefits for Students
Last year the results of a national evaluation of the NHD program were released. These results confirmed what those of us working with the program and teachers who have participated have known for awhile: NHD provides numerous benefits for students. To read the full report visit the NHD website. Some of the highlights of the report are that

• NHD students outperform non-NHD peers on state standardized tests
• NHD students are better writers, able to provide solid evidence to support their points
• NHD students learn 21st century career and college ready skills
• NHD students are critical thinkers who can digest and analyze information

First Field Trip of the Year!

Yesterday we had a group of 6th graders from St. Michael's visit the Ohio Historical Society to learn about the program and how to use the archives library. They were a fantastic group and it was fun to see them getting excited about history! We discussed possible topics for this year's History Day theme: "Revolution, Reaction, Reform". The students took a moment to think about what things or ideas are revolutionary at their school or reforms made in education. They came up with many things: use of computers and smartboards, ending segregation in schools, the subjects they learn, and many others. One that came up every time was that the invention of air conditioning was revolutionary. After this hot Ohio summer I'd have to agree!

In the archives library the students examine a variety of primary sources from pamphlets about ending child labor to records of the Boys Industrial School, an old reformatory in Ohio. The students jumped right into the sources- analyzing the information and thinking about how each related to the History Day theme. The visit to the library introduced the students to research in an archives. As one teacher said, researching for History Day teaches students to become fearless and how to walk into a library or archives and not be intimidated. That is something even some adults can't do!

After working with the first school group of the year, I'm even more excited for the year. I cannot wait to see what students develop and hear all of the wonderful stories that come out of the program!