History Fair Guidelines Grades 6-8

Theme: Change events and issues relating to geography, economics, culture, history or government Sixth grade: Change in the world Seventh grade: Change in Texas Eighth grade: Change in the United States of America “Colonization to Reconstruction”

Recommended sources for selecting a topic Newspaper Internet News sites History sites Magazines History books

Sept. 3rd and 4th Selection of Topic----must relate to the theme of change. Research plan---How do you intend to do research? Presentation type- choose one of five ways to present.

October 2nd and 3rd Research articles are due. Sources should be gathered during research. Rubric will be provided.

October 16 and 17 Library books found from research. Physically bring in books for research. This date we will start the bibliography in class. Students will learn the style for references in the bibliography.

November 20 and 21 First rough draft is due. This day we will review rough draft together.

December 11 and 12 Second rough draft is due. Will review draft in a conference with teacher.

Feb. 5-6 Process rough draft describing the process behind your research is due. 500 words. Must cover the way that you gathered your information. The process behind your research. Will be accepted in outline form, but the final must be in paragraph form.

March Final project due. Critiquing dates to be announced possibly March 30-31, 2009.

Process Paper Required All presentations will require a process paper. Process paper --- requires 500 words explaining how you did your research. What steps did you take?

Five Ways to Present: You MUST choose only ONE of the following: Paper Web page Documentary Performance Exhibit

Choose How You Want to Do It Individual project. Group of three or fewer.

Research Paper Number of words 1500 to Citations must be included. (Information will be provided in a few weeks.) Papers must be typed –observe rule three. Number of copies- four copies must be submitted.

Exhibit Category It is a visual representation of your research and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history. Size requirement: see rule one page 15. Media Devices: see rule 2 page 15. Word limit of 500 words.

Performance Category A performance is a dramatic portrayal of your topic’s significance in history and must be original in production. Rule 1: time requirements. Rule 2: performance introduction. Rule 3: media devices. Rule 4: script. Rule 5: costumes.

Documentary Category Documentary should reflect your ability to use audiovisual equipment to communicate your topic’s significance. Rule one: Time requirements. Rule two: Introduction. Rule three: Student involvement. Rule 4: Student production. Rule 5: Entry production. Rule 6: Credits. Rule 7: Displays. Rule 8: Computer entries.

Web site Category Rule 1: Size requirements. Rule 2: Navigation. Rule 3: Multimedia. Rule 4: Entry production. Rule 5: Bibliographic sources. Rule 6: Stable content. Rule 7: Viewing files. Rule 8: File safety. Rule 9: Submitting entry for judging.

Good Luck!!! Have fun and learn a lot!!!!!