Let's get started! Remember it is not considered history until enough time has passed for it to be understood from many different points of view. Your history fair project event must start at least 20-25 years ago. There is no need for your history fair project to be centered around Chicago and/or Illinois history, but students are encouraged to find connections. If the person, people, or event is truly historically important there are probably connections to Chicago and/or Illinois that you may have not considered.
Directions: Use Mr. Streit's History Fair Document to stay focused and keep organized. Some of the tasks below will be turned in and graded to assist you and to check your progress. Included in this document are the mandatory aspects of a successful history fair project:
- Project Categories: Type of Project
- Parent Sign-Off w/ Background/Introduction Information
- History Fair: Organization, Evidence & Notes
- Process Paper (formerly the Summary Statement Form)
- Annotated Bibliography in MLA Format
Project Categories: Type of Project
Check specific guidelines and rules for each project category here:
https://www.nhd.org/sites/default/files/NHDRuleBook2021Digital.pdf
Exhibit (Groups up to 3 students)
An exhibit is a three-dimensional physical and visual representation of your historical argument, research, and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history. This is typically a Tri-Fold board but does not have to be.
Performance (Groups up to 5 students)
A performance is a dramatic portrayal of your historical argument, research, and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history.
Website (Groups up to 5 students)
A website is a collection of interconnected web pages that uses multimedia to communicate your historical argument, research, and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history. Websites must be created on NHDWebCentral: https://website.nhd.org/
Documentary (Groups up to 5 students)
A documentary is an audio/visual presentation that uses multiple source types such as images, video, and sound to communicate your historical argument, research, and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history.
Research Paper (Must be done individually)
A research paper is a written format for presenting your historical argument, research, and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history.
Timeline of Assignments:
Important dates to keep you on track, focused, and organized.
All assignments can be found here: Mr. Streit's History Fair Document
Important dates to keep you on track, focused, and organized.
All assignments can be found here: Mr. Streit's History Fair Document
As your project progresses you can always work beyond the deadlines, however don’t skip over these essential steps. Each deadline is an assignment worth ten points and will later be used as part of your History Fair project or the Process Paper. It will be much easier to cut and paste and then update, instead of rewriting or recreating. Remember each assignment should be completed with a proper heading, which includes the History Fair number of assignment, title of assignment, and each student's full names, regardless if you are working individually or in a group. Think wisely, before choosing to work with a partner or in a group. If you decide to work in a group and leave a student's name off the assignment, I will assume that student did not contribute and they will not receive any credit.
Good Luck in your historical exploration. I look forward to seeing your finished products.
HF #1: Parent Sign-Off with Background/Introduction Information
Due: Monday/Tuesday of December 2nd/3rd, 2019 [Block Schedule]
NOTE: -10 points if you change the format or topic of your History Fair project after this date.
Due: Friday, December 18, 2020
Remember, a thesis should be 1-2 sentences long starting with a fact and then your opinion (argument) of the event.
- NOTE: Please email your thesis to rstreit@cps.edu so we can work on it together and add it to our HF document below.
- REMEMBER: If your thesis changes, as it may, you need to it discuss personally with Mr. Streit.
- Thesis Statement Location Center: HF List of Projects and Thesis Statement [Updated: 1/2/20]
Winter Vacation is a great time to start proving your thesis (argument) with research and evidence.
Please use this time wisely so you don't fall behind. Happy New Year!
HF #3: Theme
Due: Friday, January 15, 2021
- How does your project integrate the History Fair theme, “Communication in History: The Key to Understanding”?
HF #4: Evidence #1
Due: Friday, January 8, 2021
- What kinds of sources did you use as evidence to develop and prove your thesis (for example, letters, photographs, government documents, interviews, etc.)?
- Explain how your evidence helps prove your thesis.
NOTE: Minimum ½ typed page. Write in a normal paragraph format [no lists or bullet points]
HF #5: Evidence #2
Due: Friday, January 8, 2021
- What kinds of sources did you use as evidence to develop and prove your thesis (for example, letters, photographs, government documents, interviews, etc.)?
- Explain how your evidence helps prove your thesis.
NOTE: Minimum ½ typed page. Write in a normal paragraph format [no lists or bullet points]
- Why does your chosen topic matter?
- What historical meaning or importance can we learn from your findings?
- In what ways is your topic significant in history?
- Divide primary (3 minimum) and secondary (5 minimum) sources from each other and cite them in MLA format using the links below.
- Annotate your citations: Meaning in 1- 2 sentences, describe how you used each source. For any internet source or interviews, add an additional sentence that explains why you think the source is credible.
Easy Bib
Bibme.com
Due: Friday, February 26, 2021
- Bring your project to school.
- Have your complete name (all group members), grade, and homeroom clearly labeled.
- Two typed copies of your Process Paper with Title Page.
- Annotated Bibliography: Divide primary (3 minimum) and secondary (5 minimum) sources from each other and cite them in MLA format using the links below. Annotate your citations: Meaning in 1- 2 sentences, describe how you used each source. For any internet source or interviews, add an additional sentence that explains why you think the source is credible.
- NOTE: Students that have completed a Media Documentary must have their project saved on a flash drive and are encouraged, but not required, to bring in their own laptop to ensure the Media Documentary will work for the History Fair Judges.
- -10 points for every day your History Fair project is not turned in after the due date.
HF PRESENTATION
Presentation of your FINAL PROJECT during class after the Hawthorne History Fair
- Chicago Metro (City) History Junior History Fair - TBD at TBD
- Illinois History Expo - TBD at Prairie Capitol Convention Center, Springfield
- National History Day - TBD at University of Maryland, College Park
TOPICS:
I need help with a topic idea that will work with the NHD History Fair Theme?
- 2019 Chicago History Fair: Theme & Topic List
- 2019 Chicago Metro History Fair Topics
- Chicago Metro History Fair: Suggested Topics and Collections from Local Archives
- Is this a good History Fair Topic WS.pdf
Tips for Working Successfully in a Group by Randy Pausch, for the Building Virtual Worlds at Carnegie Mellon, Spring 1998 (modified)
- Meet people properly. It all starts with the introduction. Then, exchange contact information, and make sure you know how to pronounce everyone’s names. Exchange email addresses and phone #s, and find out what hours are acceptable to call during.
- Make meeting conditions good. Have a large surface to write on, make sure the room is quiet and warm enough, and that there aren’t lots of distractions. Make sure no one is hungry, cold, or tired. Meet over a meal if you can; food softens a meeting. That’s why they “do lunch” in Hollywood.
- Let everyone talk. Even if you think what they’re saying is stupid. Cutting someone off is rude, and not worth whatever small time gain you might make. Don’t finish someone’s sentences for him or her; they can do it for themselves. And remember: talking louder or faster doesn’t make your idea any better.
- Check your egos at the door. When you discuss ideas, immediately label them and write them down. The labels should be descriptive of the idea, not the originator: “the troll bridge story,” not “Jane’s story.”
- Praise each other. Find something nice to say, even if it’s a stretch. Even the worst of ideas has a silver lining inside it, if you just look hard enough. Focus on the good, praise it, and then raise any objections or concerns you have about the rest of it.
- Put it in writing. Always write down who is responsible for what, by when. Be concrete. Arrange meetings by email, and establish accountability. Never assume that someone’s roommate will deliver a phone message. Also, remember that “politics is when you have more than 2 people” – with that in mind, always CC (carbon copy) any piece of email within the group, or to me, to all members of the group. This rule should never be violated; don’t try to guess what your group mates might or might not want to hear about.
- Be open and honest. Talk with your group members if there’s a problem, and talk with me if you think you need help. The whole point of this course is that it’s tough to work across cultures. If we all go into it knowing that’s an issue, we should be comfortable discussing problems when they arise -- after all, that’s what this course is really about. Be forgiving when people make mistakes, but don’t be afraid to raise the issues when they come up,
- Avoid conflict at all costs. When stress occurs and tempers flare, take a short break. Clear your heads, apologize, and take another stab at it. Apologize for upsetting your peers, even if you think someone else was primarily at fault; the goal is to work together, not start a legal battle over whose transgressions were worse. It takes two to have an argument, so be the peacemaker.
- Phrase alternatives as questions. Instead of “I think we should do A, not B,” try “What if we did A, instead of B?” That allows people to offer comments, rather than defend one choice.
THESIS:
What if I am struggling to write a good thesis? Try the following:
UNDERSTANDING the THEME:
I am new to National History Day (NHD) and the Chicago Metro History Fair and need help understanding?
RESEARCH:
Where do I find good historical research including primary sources?
- Chicago History Museum Research Center.
- Chicago Public Library Locator
- Chicago Public Library - History Fair Help Page
- Chicago History Museum
- Chicago History Museum Research Center
- Chicago History Museum Online Database
- History Channel
- American Heroes Channel
- Britannica School
- CPS Online Library: SOAR (Log in with your CPS user ID and password to access article databases.)
- Chicago Collections
- TPS Primary Source - NHD Archives
- Library of Congress
- Library of Congress: American Memory
- History Matters (Primary Sources)
- Eye Witness History (Primary Sources)
- Khan Academy
- Google Scholar
- DocsTeach: Documents from National Archive
- World Digital Library
PRIMARY or SECONDARY SOURCES:
What is the difference between a primary and secondary source? Identify Primary-Secondary Worksheet.pdf
GRADING:
How will I be graded? HF Junior Division Scorecard.pdf
STILL CONFUSED:
I am still confused on what history fair is? Check out the following for a better understanding:
FINISHED?:
How do I know if I am successfully finished? Try this checklist? History Fair Projects CHECKLIST.pdf
EXAMPLES:
Where can I find sample or example project? Here you go: NHD: Student Project Examples
Congratulations Section 2019-2020 School Year
- Exhibit Board students will bring their project, Exhibit Boards will directly set-up their exhibits and material the day of the event.
- Live Performances need to show up a half hour in advance of their appointment.
- Documentaries need to be uploaded following these steps: documentaries
- Research Papers need to follow these steps: papers
- Websites & Research papers can sign up for an optional interview here: SignUp Genius - Chicago Metro (City) History Fair Paper and Website Interview Sign Up- Metro
Documentaries
- 8th Grade
Exhibit Boards
- 8th Grade
Websites
- 8th Grade
- 8th Grade
- 8th Grade
HSA History Fair Honorable Mention
Steps:
1) All projects that qualify to IHD are automatically registered.
2) Email chicagohistoryfair@gmail.com if you need to update.
3) All projects must complete a Process Paper to compete at State: Open the
Process Paper Guidance and begin converting your Summary Statement Form due May 6th.
4) Need help with the Process Paper?
- IHD Process Paper Webinar Video
- Sign up for Zoom workshop hosted by the Chicago History Museum
- Chicago History Museum: IHD 2020 Process Paper Resources
5) Ready to submit your Process Paper? Please use cmhf.wetransfer.com
Exhibit Boards
· 8th Grade – Bridget Tiegler – It’s All in the Genes
Websites
· 8th Grade – Lilia Tanabe – Shouldn’t Everyone be Allowed a DREAM (site.nhd.org/02871037)
Documentaries
TBD
Research Papers
TBD
Live Performances
TBD
Registration Information: Register for National History Day
NOTE: Only two projects from each category advance from the state competition.
6A: TBD
6B: TBD
7A: TBD
7B: TBD
8A: TBD
8B: TBD