Ms. Williams: Social Studies

Ms. D. Williams, M.Ed.

7th Grade Social Studies: Voyagers Team

Orefield Middle School 2675 PA Route 309 Orefield, PA 18069

Main Office: (610) 351-5750

Voicemail: (610) 351-5900 Ext. 61111

Email: williamsd@parklandsd.net

7th grade s.s. course overview:

WORLD GEOGRAPHY & PA STUDIES:

Maps & Globes and Cultures of the World *Cultural Corner
PA History *Famous Pennsylvanian Website Project
THE ANCIENT WORLD: The Israelites, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantine & Muslim Empires:
Mythology & Literature *Chariot Bumper Sticker
Government & Philosophy
Significance of the Ancient World & Contributions to Today: Elevators, Algebra, Geometry, Concrete, Arches, Democracy, & the Olympics! *Ancient Knowledge Project

MEDIEVAL TIMES:

Changing Boundaries of Europe & Asia during the Middle Ages
Feudalism *Coat of Arms Project
The Renaissance of Learning & the Reformation of the Medieval Church *Board Game Project

CURRENT EVENTS:Today’s news becomes tomorrow’s history! We utilize CNN 10 geared for middle school students. Encouraging your student to check out: https://worldatoz.org/ to view the 10-minute daily news clip will be useful in enhancing in-class discussions.

Study on Quizlet

Technology Support

For Chromebook and Technology Support, click: https://www.parklandsd.org/departments/technology/support

ABC-CLIO History Databases:

Research Databases:

Online Encyclopedias & Dictionaries:

Grolier

Miriam Webster

Worldbook

Other Helpful Sources:

2026 History Day Theme: "REVOLUTION, REACTION,& REFORM IN HISTORY"

TOPIC SELECTION: DUE BY FRIDAY, 9/19/25

7th Grade History Day Manual is a helpful resource; it can also be found in Schoology
Before getting your project underway, please visit the: Schedule and Grading and Topic Selection Tips and Types of Projects pages prior to completing the first assignment.
Not sure where to begin searching for a topic? Check out some Sample Topics
Visit the National History Day Official Website and click "Contest" then click "Creating an Entry." Click on the category that interests you and be sure that the category description matches your skills and your approved topic selection. Then follow the "Getting Started" tips to begin your project; it is never too early to get started!
Check out the Category Selection Tips
Complete the Topic Selection
Questions? Email Ms. Williams at: williamsd@parklandsd.net
Once you've selected your topic, be sure that you are able to find at least 5 primary resources and 5 secondary resources about it.
Need help identifying types of resources and getting your project started? Visit:
Types of Resources
What are Primary Sources?
What are Secondary Sources?
What are Tertiary Sources?
Tips for Getting Your History Day Project Started
Getting Your Documentary Started
Getting Your Exhibit Started
Getting Your Performance Started
Getting Your Website Started

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

American Archive of Public Broadcasting https://americanarchive.org/
Best of History Websites (Links to hundreds of History websites which have been

evaluated) http://www.besthistorysites.net/

Civil Rights: Special Collection (Watch videos or view documents about the Civil

Rights movement in America) http://www.teachersdomain.org/special/civil/

Colonial History http://www.history.org/history/teaching/index.cfm and http://www.dohistory.org/home.html
EdTech Teacher: American History- Women’s History http://besthistorysites.net/american-history/womens-history/
Exploration in North & South America http://www.americanjourneys.org/
History Matters (Search this for links to RELIABLE websites about your topic) http://historymatters.gmu.edu/
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum https://civilrights.jfklibrary.org/
Latin History http://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/ & http://www.preb.com/geneal2/adasj.htm & http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/
Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/collections/
Overview of History http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ & http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/index.cfm & https://www.gilderlehrman.org/ & http://nhd.org/USHistoryPrimarySources.htm
PBS http://www.pbs.org/
Politics & Government http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/
Social History http://www.ashp.cuny.edu/
Smithsonian: Because of Her Story https://womenshistory.si.edu/
The Price of Freedom: Americans at War (A great site if your topic is about any

American war) http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/

The White House Historical Association https://www.whitehousehistory.org/
Veterans History Project http://www.loc.gov/vets/
World History http://www.bne.es/es/Colecciones/ & http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page & http://nhd.org/WorldHistoryPrimarySources.htm
Women’s History Month http://womenshistorymonth.gov/
Women in History https://www.nhd.org//women-history

THESIS STATEMENT: DUE BY FRIDAY, 10/3/25

After researching your approved topic, write your thesis statement, which will tell in 1 sentence what your project will detail. Remember that your thesis statement must relate to this year's annual theme.
Review tips for writing a strong Thesis Statement and review the Thesis Statement Rubric to be sure that you earn full credit.
Submit your thesis statement via Schoology.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: DUE BY FRIDAY, 10/17/25

Create your Bibliography, which is a minimum of the required 10 resources (5 primary and 5 secondary) in Noodle Tools. Title this project "History Day 2026" and select MLA Style- Advanced.
Follow the Bibliography Rubric and view the Sample Bibliography.
Submit your Bibliography via Noodle Tools by clicking "Share Project," then type in "Williams History Day" for the assignment drop-box, as well as your first and last name; 1 per group.

NOTE CARDS: DUE BY FRIDAY, 10/31/25

Begin your 1st 10 Note Cards using Noodle Tools- 1 per source (5 primary, 5 secondary).
Follow the format of the Sample Note Card and check the Note Cards Rubric before submitting.
Submit your Note Cards via Noodle Tools by clicking "Share Project," then type in "Williams History Day" for the assignment drop-box, as well as your first and last name; 1 per group.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: DUE BY FRIDAY 11/14/25

An Annotated Bibliography is an alphabetical listing of your primary and secondary resources, with 2-sentence annotations included. Follow the formatting rules closely and check the Annotated Bibliography Rubric before submitting your work.
Submit your Annotated Bibliography via Schoology; 1 per group.

PROCESS PAPER: DUE BY FRIDAY 12/5/25

Your 500-word Process Paper contains 4 paragraphs that explain the process of making your History Day project, it also contains a Sample Title Page. Follow the formatting rules closely. Here is a Sample Process Paper.
Your Process Paper will be graded according to the Process Paper Rubric
Submit your Title Page and Process Paper via Schoology; 1 per group.

HISTORY DAY PROJECT: DUE ON WEDNESDAY, 1 / 14 / 26

Be sure to review your project category’s specific History Day Contest Rule Book before handing it in.
Review the Judges' Score Sheets to be sure you've completed all of the requirements for your project.
Complete a Rules Verification Sheet for your category before the contest.

2027 Theme: To Be Announced...

Page updated

Report abuse