COURSE OPTIONSThere is not one "right way" to implement NHD at a school. Many models have been successful. NHD is most successful when it is used in conjunction with your classroom curriculum, but schools have been successful implementing it as a club or even enrichment for individual students. Check out these options:
FULL COURSE
Some schools implement a full National History Day course. This allows schools to teach in depth research techniques and skills. An NHD course allows students significant time in class to create professional grade projects. Students learn the art of self-evaluation and peer editing. Ample time can be taken to teach bibliographical and sourcing techniques. When NHD is taught as a self-contained course, the focus is often more on research skills, source evaluation, and information processing, and less about the historical content. One of the benefits of a self-contained course is that all students want to compete. Because the full course requires action by the school administration in most cases, it is best implemented in a school that already has a successful NHD program on a smaller scale.
UNIT OF STUDY
NHD can be used as a project associated with a particular unit of study in your history class. For example, a teacher planning a unit on WWII can assign the NHD project as part of that unit. Individual lessons in primary and secondary document research, note-taking, organizing information, or bibliography production can easily be implemented (See a sample unit plan). Students are given the NHD theme and the teacher’s requirements at the beginning of the unit. Students should be allowed some time in class for research and project development, but the majority of the project will be completed out of class. The teacher should, however, implement a check-in system to access and redirect student progress as the project advances. An evaluation element should be involved at the end of the project. This gives opportunities for both self evaluation and teacher evaluation of the project (see evaluation tools). You might even consider holding a school competition. Students should be encouraged, but not required, to compete in a regional contest.
FINAL PROJECT
A National History Day project can be assigned as a final project for a course of study in any history class (See There’s an App for That). At the beginning of the semester, students can be introduced to NHD as their final project. Some schools use NHD as their final exam; other schools combine the NHD project with a final exam. A timeline should be established at the beginning of the project. The teacher should also establish a check-in system to allow assessment and redirection of student progress throughout the course of the project. Because regional NHD competitions happen in the spring, this project is usually completed as a first semester final. This allows the best projects to be improved for competition during the second semester. There is an opportunity for a school-wide contest. Students should be encouraged, but not required, to compete at a regional event.
OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENT
Students can be given the parameters of the project and complete it on their own. In this case, the project should be optional, not required. This option is often implemented when a teacher recognizes a particular interest in history or research in an individual student. Having identified that potential, teachers can encourage them to compete on an individual basis; the teacher could also facilitate a group of students who would work well together. This situation allows the teacher to work as a coach with the individual or small group. Often students who do not find success in traditional school activities are very successful with the NHD program.
EXTRA CREDIT
Often, students request opportunities for extra credit. Teachers may give extra credit for completing and competing with a National History Day project. A word of caution here: The focus of NHD should always be on the learning, not the competition. The competition is a way to validate the work of students who have worked extremely hard on their projects. Students who are “forced” to compete at a regional event usually do not do well. Rather, it is recommended that students complete the project, but only be sent to the regional competition if they wish to compete. Please ensure that students understand the commitment of competing at a regional event. They may be required to be present for a final round at the regional competition, and they may advance to the state competition.
ENRICHMENT/GT
NHD offers great opportunities for Gifted and Talented students and Enrichment programs. NHD can give advanced students a chance to shine. It also gives a platform for teaching advanced skills. Because the NHD program is so individualized, students can work at their own pace, and create something that is truly reflective of their ability level and interests.
CLUB
National History Day can be presented as a school club. In this case, the work is not tied to the classroom, but allows participants great freedom in their choice of topic and category. The teacher/sponsor acts as a coach, assisting and directing students. A club time allows the coach to check on student progress, and gives groups an opportunity to work together. Using NHD as a club ensures that all participants are interested in competing with their project.
SCHOOLWIDE HISTORY FAIR
NHD can be used within a school in a manner similar to a science fair. In this case, all school students will participate in the fair, but work will be done at home. Teachers must work together to implement the program, so it is presented to all students in the same manner. Students should be given the NHD rules and yearly theme as their guides. It would also be a good idea for teachers within the school to establish a check-in system to ensure that students are staying on track. The school will choose a day prior to the regional competition to host the History Fair. Judges will evaluate the project according to the NHD requirements. The top projects in each category will advance to the regional competition. One word of caution: The work completed must be done entirely by the student. Parents may support and encourage, but the product must be student work.
UNSPONSORED INDIVIDUAL
Students are welcome to participate in NHD even if their school does not have a program. Contact your regional coordinator for details about how you can become involved. And, who knows....maybe your success will lead to a program at your school!
HOMESCHOOL
National History Day is a perfect fit for most homeschool programs. The individual nature of the program allows students to explore their own interests and abilities. It encourages higher level thinking skills, research skills and self-evaluation skills. Homeschool students historically do very well at the National competition level.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
FULL COURSE
Some schools implement a full National History Day course. This allows schools to teach in depth research techniques and skills. An NHD course allows students significant time in class to create professional grade projects. Students learn the art of self-evaluation and peer editing. Ample time can be taken to teach bibliographical and sourcing techniques. When NHD is taught as a self-contained course, the focus is often more on research skills, source evaluation, and information processing, and less about the historical content. One of the benefits of a self-contained course is that all students want to compete. Because the full course requires action by the school administration in most cases, it is best implemented in a school that already has a successful NHD program on a smaller scale.
UNIT OF STUDY
NHD can be used as a project associated with a particular unit of study in your history class. For example, a teacher planning a unit on WWII can assign the NHD project as part of that unit. Individual lessons in primary and secondary document research, note-taking, organizing information, or bibliography production can easily be implemented (See a sample unit plan). Students are given the NHD theme and the teacher’s requirements at the beginning of the unit. Students should be allowed some time in class for research and project development, but the majority of the project will be completed out of class. The teacher should, however, implement a check-in system to access and redirect student progress as the project advances. An evaluation element should be involved at the end of the project. This gives opportunities for both self evaluation and teacher evaluation of the project (see evaluation tools). You might even consider holding a school competition. Students should be encouraged, but not required, to compete in a regional contest.
FINAL PROJECT
A National History Day project can be assigned as a final project for a course of study in any history class (See There’s an App for That). At the beginning of the semester, students can be introduced to NHD as their final project. Some schools use NHD as their final exam; other schools combine the NHD project with a final exam. A timeline should be established at the beginning of the project. The teacher should also establish a check-in system to allow assessment and redirection of student progress throughout the course of the project. Because regional NHD competitions happen in the spring, this project is usually completed as a first semester final. This allows the best projects to be improved for competition during the second semester. There is an opportunity for a school-wide contest. Students should be encouraged, but not required, to compete at a regional event.
OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENT
Students can be given the parameters of the project and complete it on their own. In this case, the project should be optional, not required. This option is often implemented when a teacher recognizes a particular interest in history or research in an individual student. Having identified that potential, teachers can encourage them to compete on an individual basis; the teacher could also facilitate a group of students who would work well together. This situation allows the teacher to work as a coach with the individual or small group. Often students who do not find success in traditional school activities are very successful with the NHD program.
EXTRA CREDIT
Often, students request opportunities for extra credit. Teachers may give extra credit for completing and competing with a National History Day project. A word of caution here: The focus of NHD should always be on the learning, not the competition. The competition is a way to validate the work of students who have worked extremely hard on their projects. Students who are “forced” to compete at a regional event usually do not do well. Rather, it is recommended that students complete the project, but only be sent to the regional competition if they wish to compete. Please ensure that students understand the commitment of competing at a regional event. They may be required to be present for a final round at the regional competition, and they may advance to the state competition.
ENRICHMENT/GT
NHD offers great opportunities for Gifted and Talented students and Enrichment programs. NHD can give advanced students a chance to shine. It also gives a platform for teaching advanced skills. Because the NHD program is so individualized, students can work at their own pace, and create something that is truly reflective of their ability level and interests.
CLUB
National History Day can be presented as a school club. In this case, the work is not tied to the classroom, but allows participants great freedom in their choice of topic and category. The teacher/sponsor acts as a coach, assisting and directing students. A club time allows the coach to check on student progress, and gives groups an opportunity to work together. Using NHD as a club ensures that all participants are interested in competing with their project.
SCHOOLWIDE HISTORY FAIR
NHD can be used within a school in a manner similar to a science fair. In this case, all school students will participate in the fair, but work will be done at home. Teachers must work together to implement the program, so it is presented to all students in the same manner. Students should be given the NHD rules and yearly theme as their guides. It would also be a good idea for teachers within the school to establish a check-in system to ensure that students are staying on track. The school will choose a day prior to the regional competition to host the History Fair. Judges will evaluate the project according to the NHD requirements. The top projects in each category will advance to the regional competition. One word of caution: The work completed must be done entirely by the student. Parents may support and encourage, but the product must be student work.
UNSPONSORED INDIVIDUAL
Students are welcome to participate in NHD even if their school does not have a program. Contact your regional coordinator for details about how you can become involved. And, who knows....maybe your success will lead to a program at your school!
HOMESCHOOL
National History Day is a perfect fit for most homeschool programs. The individual nature of the program allows students to explore their own interests and abilities. It encourages higher level thinking skills, research skills and self-evaluation skills. Homeschool students historically do very well at the National competition level.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
- One of the requirements of NHD is that the projects be completely student produced. Teachers and parents are allowed to help students identify sources, develop research skills, and evaluate progress. All research and work must be completed by the student, however.
- Students should know the requirements of the regional competition. Don’t “talk down” the commitment. It is important that students know that if they win, they will be advancing to the state competition. It is also important for students to know that they might be required to be present in for a final round at the regional competition.
- Students who do not want to compete should not be required to be a part of a regional contest. Instead, hold a local competition, and bring only those who wish to compete to the regional competition.
- Know the rulebook. All of the parameters of the competition can be found there. Your regional coordinator is also a great source for information and answers.
- Be sure to double-check student work for historical accuracy, but also for spelling and grammar mistakes.