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National History Day in Colorado
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National History Day in Colorado

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Project Development

university of colorado denver national history day in colorado a pre-collegiate social studies and literacy program

NHDC in 11 Steps

I. Incorporating NHDC into Your Classroom

  • "The Impact of National History Day" Article
  • NHDC and the State Standards
    • 4th & 5th Grade Standards
    • Middle & High School Standards
  • ​"Promoting Inquiry-Based Learning Through National History Day" Article
  • Glossary of Helpful History Day Terms
  • Guidelines for Historical Projects
  • Louisiana History Day's Suggested Timeline
  • Greater Denver Metro Suggested Timeline
  • Timeline from a Veteran Teacher
  • Timeline with Suggested Point Values

II. Step 1: The Topic Selection Process

  • Self-Questioning Worksheet
  • Narrowing Worksheet
  • Additional Topic Ideas Worksheet
  • The "So What" Factor
  • Topic Selection Organizer
  • Topic Selection Organizer #2

III. Step 2: Becoming an "Expert"

  • Becoming an "Expert" Handout
  • Contextualization Questions & Nat Turner Activity
  • Contextualization is Crucial Worksheet
  • Create a Wikipedia Page Activity

IV. Step 3: The Thesis Statement

  • Thesis Statement: What It Is and Is Not
  • Thesis Statement: Composition Worksheet
  • Dos and Don'ts of a Thesis
  • Comparing Thesis Statements
  • Thesis Statement Checklist

V. Step 4: The Research Process

  • "National History Day and the Power of Place: Researching the History of Your State or Community" Article
  • Identifying Primary and Secondary Sources
  • Verifying the Integrity of Sources
  • Evaluating Sources
  • Observe, Question, Reflect: Primary Source Analysis Tool
  • Tracking Sources Worksheet
  • Primary Source Notetaker
  • Cornell Notes Template
  • Cornell Notes Blank
  • Interview Script
  • Interview Record & Release

VI. Step 5: Making Sense of Your Research and Outlining Your Argument

Part A. Analysis
  • Rules of Argument
  • Constructing Effective Analysis Handout
  • Incorporating Analysis Handout
  • Constructing a 5-Paragraph Essay--Green-Yellow-Red Lesson
Part B. Organizing and Outlining Your Project
  • Outline of a Historical Research Project
  • General Project Checklist
  • History as an Experiment
  • Project Organization Graphic
  • Organization Map
  • Exhibit: "Less is More" Handout
  • Exhibit: Checklist
  • Performance: Sample Script Outline
  • Performance: Planning Organizer
  • Performance: Final Script Sample
  • Documentary: Script Guide
  • Documentary: Organizing Your Information Handout
  • Documentary: Planning Guide
  • Documentary: Storyboard Form
  • Documentary: 11 Helpful Tips
  • Website: Map
  • Website: Organization Worksheet
  • Paper: Junior National Winner
  • Paper: Senior National Winner
  • Paper: Outline

VII. Step 6: Choosing a Category

  • Guidelines for Choosing a Project Category

VIII: Step 7: Group or Individuals?

  • Self-Questioning Handout
  • Group Project Contract

IX. Step 8: Project Creation and Rules Summary

  • Student Checklists:
    • Website
    • Exhibit
    • Documentary
    • Performance
    • Paper​

X. Step 9: The Process Paper

  • Process Paper Handout

XI. Step 10: Citations and the Annotated Bibliography

  • Avoiding Plagiarism Handout
  • Sample MLA Citations
  • Chicago Style Citations Handout
  • Helpful Intro for Writing History Papers
  • Bibliographies Made Easy
  • Annotation Quick Guide
  • All About Annotations Guide

XII. Step 11: The Contest

  • Contest Advice "From the Trenches"
  • Sample Interview Questions
  • Significant Rules Changes Quick Sheet
  • Student Checklists:
    • Website
    • Exhibit
    • Documentary
    • Performance
    • Paper
  • Offical Evaluation Forms:
    • Website Prelims
    • Website Finals
    • Exhibit Prelims
    • Exhibit Finals
    • Documentary Prelims
    • Documentary Finals
    • Performance Prelims
    • Performance Finals
    • Paper Prelims
    • Paper Finals

XIII. Post Contest

  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric Middle School Website
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric Middle School Documentary
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric Middle School Exhibit
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric Middle School Paper
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric Middle School Performance
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric High School Website
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric High School Documentary​
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric High School Exhibit​
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric High School Paper
  • ​NHD Judging Criteria Grading Rubric High School Performance​
  • Project Component Grading Rubric- Middle School
  • Project Component Grading Rubric- High School
  • Final Evaluation Rubric
  • Skills Assessment for Middle School
  • Skills Assessment for High School​
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National History Day in Colorado

Celeste Archer, Director | celeste.archer@ucdenver.edu
Kayla Gabehart, Associate Director | kayla.gabehart@ucdenver.edu

1201 Larimer St., #3128 | Denver, CO 80204
Campus Box 182, PO Box 173364 | Denver, CO 80217
p: 303.315.1789  | f: 303.315.1780
e: nhdc@ucdenver.edu

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