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Bringing History Day to Your Students
Bringing History Day to Your Students
Teachers are essential in providing the benefits of National History Day to students. Below, you will find information about how to bring NHD to your classroom whether you are a teacher in a public, private, parochial, or charter school or if you are a homeschool parent. If you have any questions about Rhode Island History Day or want to get involved, please email us at rhodeisland@nhd.org
NEW! Classroom Visits from the RI History Day Coordinator
This year we will be offering in-classroom visits covering topics including National History Day Basics, Making a Historical Argument, Using Primary and Secondary Resources, and Research Skills and Best Practices.
Getting Started
Getting Started
Participation Models
Participation Models
The History Day curriculum can be incorporated into student education through a variety of methods:
In the Classroom
Classroom teachers can start by weaving the skills that make up History Day (research, analysis, historical argumentation, public speaking, etc.) into lessons. Using project-based learning techniques, students can construct projects based on the NHD annual theme, presenting them to their class, school, and the state contest.
After School Clubs
Teachers can choose to make History Day an optional activity for highly motivated students by forming a History Day Club. In this model, teachers mentor students through the process of creating their History Day projects in an extracurricular setting and shepherd students through the competition process.
LEA (Local Education Agency) Mentoring
LEA's, such as local libraries or historical societies, can provide instruction, drop-in research hours, and guidance to students wishing to complete an independent History Day project. Students from any school without a History Day program and/or Homeschool students have the opportunity to benefit from professional research and the guidance of professional historians to complete a project to take to the state competition.
Timeline
Timeline
It is the decision of each individual teacher or LEA how to break up the History Day project-based learning process. As a starting point to gauge your own pacing, please check out this suggested timeline for guidance.
How to Register
How to Register
All projects must be registered on the Rhode Island History Day zFairs website. Each individual student, as well as their teacher/mentor must register on this site to participate in the Rhode Island History Day State Contest. Simply click on the "Create Account" tab at the top of the Home page to select the type of account you wish to make (Student, Teacher, Judge). Detailed instructions for that registration category will be hyperlinked there.
NOTE: The student(s) teacher/mentor must register FIRST as a Teacher before the student can register for their account.
Digital Resources
Digital Resources
Project Resources
Project Resources
General
Documentary
Exhibit
Paper
Performance
Website
Research Resources
Research Resources
NHD Chronicling America Digital Research Video Guides: Basic Research or Advanced Search
Workshops
Workshops
Previous Workshop Recordings
Previous Workshop Recordings
In Person Educator Workshop: Primary Source Analysis
This free informative workshop focused on reading and thinking strategies to assist students in Primary Source Analysis. Language usage and writing style in primary sources is often different from what we encounter in the modern world. Using primary sources in student instruction, in all subject areas, is crucial in helping students develop critical thinking, close reading, contextualization, and corroboration skills. Review the list of resources used in the presentation here.
RIHD Skill Building: The Attributes of an RIHD Graduate with Dr. Thalia Wood and a panel of past RIHD Teachers and Students
This workshop addressed how the History Day Program can benefit your students in developing skills essential for success in high school, higher education, and life. The basics of creating a History Day entry were also discussed. Watch the recording here. Read the chat here.
Using the Library of Congress Archives in Student Research and Historical Argumentation
In 2022, thanks to the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Regional Program, we were able to provide four virtual workshops. Recordings from all four sessions and related materials can be found here.
New England Region Virtual Workshop Recordings
NHD Webcentral Training with Alaina McNaughton from the NHD National office. View the recording here.
Primary Sources, Annotated Bibliographies, and Student Voice. Practice primary source analysis, discuss how to approach wide research in an annotated bibliography, and explore techniques for highlighting student voice in projects. View the recording here. View the Slide Deck here.
Documentary Production in the Classroom. View the recording here. View the slide deck here.
Evaluating Sources when Researching Indigenous People in History. View the recording here.
Sessions by Other NHD Affiliates
Sessions by Other NHD Affiliates
- History Day in Any Classroom
- History Day Program Support: Insight from a District Administrator, Partnering with Your School Librarian, Fundraising Techniques
- History Day Teaching Tools: Noodle Tools, STEM Skills, and Google Classroom
- History Day Teaching Strategies: Advice from the Field
- Historical Research in Washington State: Accessing Our State’s History
- Historical Research in the U.S.—Accessing Federal Resources Online
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