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Conflict and Compromise in History Cen-Tex Region History Day Competition What is National History Day? National History Day is not just a day, but every day! The National History Day program is a year-long education program that culminates in a national contest every June. It engages students in grades 6-12 in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics. Students produce dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries and research papers based on research related to an annual theme. These projects are then evaluated at local, state, and national competitions. The program begins at the start of the school year. Curriculum and contest materials are distributed to History Day coordinators and teachers throughout the country. The theme for 2008 is Conflict and Compromise in History. Teachers, students and parents are invited to a workshop each fall where they share ideas about how the year’s theme can be most effectively addressed and also receive bibliographies and other resources. Teachers then introduce the program to their students who, in turn, choose topics and begin their research. Students are encouraged to choose any topic in local, national or world history and investigate its historical significance and relationship to the theme by conducting extensive primary and secondary research. After analyzing and interpreting their information, students present their findings in papers, exhibits, performances, and documentaries that are evaluated by historians and educators. National History Day has two divisions: the junior division (grades 6–8) and the senior division (grades 9–12). Students can enter one of the following categories: individual paper, individual or group exhibit (similar to a museum exhibit), individual or group performance (a dramatic portrayal of the topic), individual or group documentary (usually a slide show, a video, or a non-interactive computer program). Groups may consist of two to five students. An individual website category (using design software and computer technology) is added this year at the regional level. For the first time, winners will advance to the state and national levels. Regional winners prepare for and compete at the state contest, usually held in April or early May. The top two finishers in each category at the state contest become eligible to advance to the national contest held in June at the University of Maryland at College Park. Go to www.nationalhistoryday.com for additional information. Students, show your creativity by making history come alive in an exhibit, documentary, paper, performance, or website. By producing one of these projects, you have opportunities to win awards and scholarships, as well as learn about your history. If you are in grades 6-12, you may enter the contest in either the junior (grades 6-8) or senior (grades 9-12) divisions. You may participate individually, or as part of a group of up to five students. Public, private, and home schools are welcome to participate. Topics The theme, Conflict and Compromise in History is a broad one so topics should be carefully selected and developed in ways that best use talents and abilities. Whether a topic is a well-known event in world history or focuses on a little-known individual from a small community, students should be careful to place their topics into historical perspective, examine the significance of their topics in history, and show development over time. Studies should include an investigation into available primary and secondary sources, analysis of the evidence, and a clear explanation of the relationship of the topic to the theme. Then, students may develop papers, performances, documentaries, exhibits, and web sites for entry into National History Day competitions. There are several guides students and teachers can use to create a project. Go to http://nationalhistoryday.org/02_contest/02.html to access forms, worksheets, tips, and more. Numerous topics can be developed using resources from the LBJ Library and Museum. Some suggestions might include: Conflict and Compromise in History
Related Links The American Presidency Project Miller Center: http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/presidentialrecordings/ direct link to LBJ recordings, in new page format, with listings grouped by date: http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/scripps/digitalarchive/presidentialrecordings/johnson/index another direct link to LBJ recordings, in old page format, with search capability: http://millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/academic/presidentialrecordings/pages/listen_tapes_lbj_tel.htm Miller Center Oral History transcripts State Department National Security Archive Texas State Historical Association Meeting Educational Standards in the Classroom For Program Rules and Information, contact:
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