NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2013 GOALS AND RESEARCH METHODS

1. NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2013 GOALS AND RESEARCH METHODS

2. NATIONAL HISTORY DAY is about… RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, ANALYSIS and more RESEARCH!!!!!

4. WHERE TO FIND TOPICS • http://www.nhd.org • Books on display • Turning Points icons on desktops • NHD website: • Contest • Getting Started • Choosing a topic • More examples

5. NHD MADE SIMPLE • Finda topic you will enjoy spending lots of time with • Research EVERYTHING there is to know – become the expert! Talk to other experts (get interview!) • Use the Resources Checklist to track your progress • Choose group or individual – how do you work best? • Choose a project type – what skills do you have? • Stay organized • Stick to your calendar – watch for due dates • Track your points

6. PROJECT TYPES • Website: Professional looking, interactive, not just a paragraphs on a page; use NHD’s Weebly to construct • Documentary: 10 minutes maximum; original content; clear, articulate voice-over; use iMovie or MovieMaker • Exhibit: Tri-folds; artistic skills helpful ; could cost money; artifacts, documents needed; interactive • Performance: Ten minutes live; acting and speaking skills helpful but not necessary; costumes; props

7. RESEARCH TIPS & TOOLS • Research takes time; don’t procrastinate. • Organize yourself. • Folder for hand-outs and other papers • Make a folder on your home desktop • Get a flashdrive • Become a regular visitor to the NHD page on Library website • Check the NHD bulletin board in SS office • Get a SPL card and PIN # • Get a BPL e-card (we’ll do in class) • Revalidate your NoodleBib account

8. STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT • Research, research, research – do a little every day! • Focus on your topic with the big picture in mind: • Historical Context (what was happening before the turning point and why was the turning point important) • Turning Point: Person, Idea, Event (what happened, when, where and how) • Significant Changes (why did this happen and why will things never be the same again?) • Divide the research into primary and secondary sources • Cite and annotate your sources as you use them. • Find an expert early – ask intelligent questions!

9. RESEARCH COMPONENTS Secondary sources Primary sources

10. YOU JUST CAN’T IT! • SweetSearch.com • Refseek.com • Wikipedia (use Research links and Talk) • Find the Historical Society or Museum • Find the archives or historical site • Find the “fan” association • Find the experts and interview them!

11. SCHOOL LIBRARY WEBPAGE • Other Libraries: • SPL, NOBLE, and BPL • Online Databases: • Gale Databases • -- Historic New York Times, 1851-2009 • -- Annals of American History • --Britannica • Check Destiny • Special NHD due date: Jan. 13 • Helpful Library Links: • NHD (many links!) • Other Libraries • Online Databases

12. INTERVIEWS • You MUST interview at least one person for your project. • In person or via e-mail • Create a “grown-up” email address • Ask intelligent, specific questions • Refer to the expert’s work (book, article, website) • Someone who was involved in your topic (primary source) • Or someone who is an expert on your topic (secondary source) • Proof of interview is required • Don’t wait too long to make contact

13. WHO’S AN EXPERT? • A recurring author • A curator of a museum • A webmaster • A national park ranger • A university professor who has written articles/books • A historical society president • A historian • Many other types of people depending on your topic

14. HOW COMPETITIVE ARE YOU? • Want to move on to Regionals? • Have you got what it takes? • Ready to go beyond local resources? ATTEND OUR AFTERSCHOOL SESSIONS Dates: TBA 2:30 – 3:30 in the Library (Passes for sports will be available)

15. NoodleBib Revalidate with passwords: • stoneham • spartan Forgot your username and password? See Mrs. D.

16. USEFUL PEOPLE • Please e-mail us if you have questions about topics or research: • Ms. Sampson: psampson@stonehamschools.org • Mrs. DiPietro • tdipietro@stonehamschools.org