This letter will be sent home tomorrow 9/16/2019

Dear Parents and students September 16, 2019

Every JWJ gifted student is required to complete and participate in the National History Fair and this year's theme is Breaking Barriers in History. This is a crucial part of the middle school gifted curriculum. I do expect each and every student to work at a gifted level, and I will have in class information sessions as well as after hour help sessions.

Parents and students when deciding on a topic and type of project (exhibit, research paper, webpage, documentary or performance) please keep in mind that yes students may work in groups, yet “history” has proven to me that groups do not work out to the students’ advantage. All students must work together and most parts of the project are mandatory to complete independently. For example: research and bibliography notes, each student is required to complete and document his or her research and then collaborate with his or her group members.

Since middle schoolers do not drive and most of the History Fair Project ‘s work is completed outside of the classroom, they will depend on you to meet up with the group. In addition, deciding who buys the needed materials is always a problem. If you and your student decide to work in a group of up to five total participants- There will be an additional form to be completed and turned in the same day, the topic sheet is due.

Parents and students are encouraged to visit www.nationalhistoryday.org for more information.

Assignments & Due Dates:

5 Pts-Information sheet (this form) Sept. 20^th _____initial

10 Pts-Topic Sheet with three topics Oct 7^th _____initial

25 Pts -1^st set of notes or evidence of research Nov. 1^st _____initial

25 Pts -2^nd set of note cards or evidence of research,

25 each 1st drafts process paper and annotative

bibliography Dec 7^th ______initial

100 pts final project Jan 17^th _______initial

100 pts final process paper Jan 17^th _______initial

100 pts final annotative bibliography Jan 17^th _______initial

____________________________ _______________________________

Student’s Signature and date Parent’s signature and date

Dates can be changed; however, if changed the new date will be announced in class and on my website.

The process paper and annotative bibliography have two due dates. One is prior to the winter break, so I can help students with corrections. The second due date is when the final project is due. All papers must be typed and MLA format.