1. Historical Research Assessment
Museum of American History
A Museum Beyond the History Books
Grand Opening Spring of 2012

2. Questions for Discussion
What are the goals towards which we are working?
What will we be learning?
What resources and learning experiences will help us get there?
In what ways will you (the Historian, Curator, Docent/the student) be expected to demonstrate understanding?
In what ways will this knowledge or these skills benefit you (the student) in school? in the future?

3. Enduring Understanding and Essential Question One
Current bodies of knowledge are derived by professionals who have conducted research in order to answer unanswered questions.
How do the concepts and principles that form the framework of the history get translated into practice by those in the discipline?

4. Enduring Understanding and Essential Question Two
In order to draw valuable and relevant conclusions, a variety of reliable resources should be consulted that identify, examine, and evaluate multiple perspectives, including one’s own.
What methods, materials, and sources does an historian use to generate new questions and draw reasonable, interpretive conclusions to construct knowledge?

5. Enduring Understanding and Essential Question Three
Author’s purpose in non-fiction writing often focuses on how the interactions between historical, geographical, and cultural settings influence and are influenced by individuals and conflict.
How does structure and form of non-fiction writing promote synthesis of ideas to communicate a clear thesis? How does purpose link to form?

6. Enduring Understanding and Essential Question Four
The historical and cultural understanding informs interpretation of the present in ways that promote future decision-making and clarity of communication.
How and why is awareness of broad and deep historical understanding, developed through exploration of multiple significant perspectives, imperative to understanding and interpretation of history and culture?

7. Components of the Task Historian Curator Docent
Conduct and Synthesize Research from Reliable and Credible Sources
Complete a Research Proposal
MLA Style of Research Documentation
Curator
Plan, Design, and Create an Engaging Exhibit for Patrons
Gather Artifacts and Write Curator’s Notes from Research
Docent
Prepare an Informative and Engaging Presentation for Museum Guests

8. Practitioners in the Field
MacArthur Memorial Museum
Curator’s Visit on March 8th to discuss Creating a Museum Exhibit and the work at the Museum
Field Trip to the Museum on March 15th for workshops with the Curator and Archivist.
Virginia War Museum
Historian’s Visit on March 16th and 19th to discuss the work/role of an Historian
Provide an engaging presentation on the Holocaust

9. Research Proposal Using the Depth and Complexity Icons
Details: Facts, Ideas, and Data; “What details define your topic?”
In English: Informative Writing
In Social Studies: Documents, People, Events, Cause and Effect Relationships
Patterns: Repetitive, Cycles, Recurring Elements; “Do any predictable patterns exist?”
In English: Plot and Writing Patterns
In Social Studies: Time lines, Patterns of Types of Documents
Trends: Influences, Changes over Time; Determine the causes and effects of your topic.
In English: Historical Fiction and Non-Fiction
In Social Studies: Government, Trends of Different Eras, Voter Patterns

10. Research Proposal Using the Depth and Complexity Icons
Unanswered Questions: Unknown, Unexplained, Dilemma; “What is not understood about this topic? Your unanswered questions?”
In English: Author’s/Character’s Motivation/Message
In Social Studies: Evidence Discoveries, Individual’s Influence on History
Rules: Standards, Usual Courses of Action or Behavior; “What social rules (stated or unstated) exist regarding your topic of study??”
In English: Rules of Style, Matching Writing to Purpose
In Social Studies: Primary Documents and Sources, Developing Big Ideas and Generalizations
Ethics: Controversies, Biases, Principals of “Right” Behavior; “What moral controversies and dilemmas surround your topic?”
In English: Plagiarism, Media: Editorials, Political Cartoons, Bias
In Social Studies: Human Conflicts/Rights, Propaganda, Laws and Justice

11. Research Proposal Using the Depth and Complexity Icons
Big Ideas: Principles, Laws, Theories, Developed from Facts; “How is the topic of study relevant?” Determine its significance in history.
In English: Themes, Critical Analysis, Conflict
In Social Studies: Innovation, Power, Conflict, Exploration, Origins
Multiple Perspectives: Points of View, Different Slants; “What biases/perspectives exist regarding your topic of study?”
In English: Editorials, Non-fiction Points of View, Persuasive Writing
In Social Studies: Perspectives of Different Experts. Interpreting Evidence
Across Disciplines: Interdisciplinary, Connections; “What impact does your topic of study have on all levels of society? How has your topic of study influenced the present?”
In English: Biographies, Autobiographies, Reading w/n a Discipline
In Social Studies: Intersection of Disciplines Affecting Humans

12. Next Step… Begin to gather resources for your authentic research.
Review the MoAH Research Proposal with the Depth and Complexity Icons prior to next class.
Generate questions to ask in an effort to seek clarification on misunderstandings/confusions.