1. STUDENTS BECOME HISTORIANS WHEN THEY DO THE HISTORY FAIR!
YOU ask a historical question that you want to answer
YOU do research using authentic sources & join the conversations of other historians
YOU analyze and come to your own conclusions, make your own argument supported by evidence
YOU produce a project to present to the public
HISTORY FAIR STUDENTS BECOME…

2. …museum curators and designers.

3. …documentary filmmakers.

4. …performers.

5. …scholars writing for a journal.

6. 5 Steps to Becoming a Historian
Here’s how you do it:
5 Steps to
Becoming a Historian

7. Asking questions, Finding a Topic
? ? ?
Step 1 I Wonder Why…
Asking questions, Finding a Topic

8. Approaches to Finding Topics
What broad topics interest you? Immigration, politics, labor, business, technology, arts, sports, race or ethnic issues, rights, women’s issues…
What’s going on in your community? In the world? In the U.S.?
What part of history is most intriguing for you?
What do you wonder about: How do the arts change society? How do people get and share power in a democracy? What happens to people, communities, nations in times of war? How did my community get this way? What do people do when the economy changes?

9. Where to look for ideas…
Encyclopedia of Chicago, Chicago History, other Chicago-based publication
Newspapers, magazines
Your history book!
Archives, special collections
Talk to people, look around your own community, and city—you may find stories all over the place!

10. History Fair Question It’s historically significant.
It can be argued -- interpreted.
It’s History – happened in the past, and shows change over time.
It’s connected to Chicago.
History Fair Question
Developing your question– we leave a copy of the “radiant sun” (2/s version) for teachers to make and distribute. Criteria (“radiant sun”Local—connected to chicago
Historical—in the past, change over timeResearchable (has sources)
Can make your own interpretation—take a stand (thesis)Historically significant—made an impact, lessons for today, influence people, ideas,eventsAnalyzes with/relates to theme
It’s Got Soul! YOU CARE ABOUT IT!
It’s got sources.
It uses the NHD theme for analysis.

11. Using the NHD Theme and the “Chicago Connection”
The National History Day Theme is
If you are using the theme, it can help you begin to think about ways to describe your topic’s historical significance and provide a fresh angle for your thesis.
The theme is optional for History Fair students—unless the teacher requires it.
A “Chicago connection” is required for all History Fair projects.
Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences
The following exhibits show the use of the themes from 3 different years. It also gives an opportunity to talk about exhibit design – clear and creative, organized- especially with subtitles, lots of visual evidence various degrees….

12. If you disagree with someone, what can you do to resolve the problem?
To understand the NHD theme of “Debate and Diplomacy,” you might start by thinking about you and your world.
How are decisions made in your school? family? community? world?
If you disagree with someone, what can you do to resolve the problem?
What issues matter to you? Why did these problems catch your attention?

13. How do debates and acts of diplomacy lead to change?
Then talk about the essential questions: look for examples in your own life, in events going on today, and in issues from the past where the theme can be explored.
When is it more effective to seek compromise through diplomacy? When is it necessary to challenge the status quo through debate?
How do debates and acts of diplomacy lead to change?
What role do debates and diplomacy play in a democratic society?
What debates have been important in shaping your life or your community?

14. Here’s an example of a project when the theme was “Taking a Stand”

15. “Communication: A Key to Understanding” was the theme

16. Tragedy and Triumph theme

17. Just like a historian, keep these things in mind when making decisions about what is important enough to include in the story:
Causes and effects
What changed over time?
Why and how did events develop as they did?
So what? -- Why did this person/idea/event make an impact in history?
How does this topic connect to the “big picture”?

18. Step 2 – How do I find stuff?
Research is the key that will help you develop your own voice and the ability to tell a compelling and convincing story of the past. Also, tell folks what you are doing—they make actually have a story or contact or source for you.
The Research Journey

19. Research is a journey. You start it when you seek a topic and question to developing your thesis and argument.

20. INVEST TIME IN FINDING THE TOPIC—ask a lot of questions!!
What changed? How and why? What was the impact? What was its significance?
Always the “big questions” of history.
A specific aspect of history to analyze.
(NHD Theme optional)
Research!!
Essential questions of history are the BIG questions no matter the theme or topic.
INVEST TIME IN FINDING THE TOPIC—ask a lot of questions!!

21. 2009 Theme is “The Individual in History: Actions & Legacies”
What changed? How and why? What was the impact? What was its significance?
Always the “big questions” of history.
A specific aspect of history to analyze.
2009 Theme is “The Individual in History: Actions & Legacies”
Research!!
Integrated into the theme—not pasted on! Followed by the topic (sports, transportation, women’s rights, civil rights, wars, immigration… Could show discuss how topic of immigration could lead in many directions—and this is where finding a story or relating to the Then the theme comes in. The next slides show each phase, but the final one has everything if you only want to use one. This is a time to talk about looking at special collections, talking with family, other teachers, community people to FIND a good source related to your broad topic and have the sources guide you.
INVEST TIME IN FINDING THE TOPIC

22. “The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
What changed? How and why? What was the impact? What was its significance?
Always the “big questions” of history.
A specific aspect of history to analyze.
Women’s rights are important to me.
“The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
BROAD TOPIC
Research!!
INVEST TIME IN FINDING THE TOPIC

23. “The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
What changed? How and why? What was the impact? What was its significance?
Always the “big questions” of history.
A specific aspect of history to analyze.
Women’s rights are important to me.
Mabel Vernon – the photograph really intrigued me to find out more!
“The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
BROAD TOPIC
Research!!
Narrowed Topic
Personal connections and “I Wonder” questions can help a student narrow the topic and find a historical question. This exploration is a VITAL part of developing a historical question, and then after a more research, a working thesis.
INVEST TIME IN FINDING THE TOPIC

24. “The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
What changed? How and why? What was the impact? What was its significance?
Always the “big questions” of history.
A specific aspect of history to analyze.
Women’s rights are important to me.
Mabel Vernon – the photograph really intrigued me to find out more!
What was Mabel Vernon’s strategy in gaining the right to vote and why did it make a difference?
“The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
BROAD TOPIC
Research!!
Narrowed Topic
Historical Question
Essential questions of history--- followed by the theme (power)…. Followed by the topic (sports, transportation, women’s rights, civil rights, wars, immigration…
INVEST TIME IN FINDING THE TOPIC

25. “The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
INVEST RESEARCH TIME IN FINDING THE TOPIC
What changed? How and why? What was the impact? What was its significance?
Always the “big questions” of history.
A specific aspect of history to analyze.
Women’s rights are important to me.
Mabel Vernon – the photograph really intrigued me to find out more!
What was Mabel Vernon’s strategy in gaining the right to vote and why did it make a difference?
Mabel Vernon took the suffrage campaign out of the parlors and into the streets which forced the public to see women as forceful, intelligent, and political citizens that deserved the right to vote.
“The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies”
BROAD TOPIC
Research!!
Narrowed Topic
Historical Question
Essential questions of history--- followed by the theme (power)…. Followed by the topic (sports, transportation, women’s rights, civil rights, wars, immigration… the same essential applies even if NO doing the theme. Do some samples (have planned out in advance…)
Working Thesis
MAIN RESEARCH!

26. When you do your research:
use a wide variety of sources
deeply explore available sources
understand and use appropriately primary (original, first-hand) sources to develop own ideas
use secondary sources to find the context and to understand the ways that historians and others have interpreted the subject
reflect a balance of various viewpoints and perspectives
What are you looking for?? Background, facts, different perspectives (as well as different theses…)

27. Secondary Sources Materials that make an argument or offer interpretation built upon primary sources.
THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!! What can you get from secondary sources? Why do you need them? Trick about following the footnotes/citations in books and magazines for primary and secondary sources.

28. by historians on a narrow subject
ALWAYS START
BOOKS or ARTICLES
by historians on a narrow subject
by historians that summarizes or synthesizes others’ works
by writers summarizing historians
Encyclopedia & general reference
Textbooks
Interviews with scholars, experts, museum docents, or second-hand
THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!! What can you get from secondary sources? Why do you need them? Trick about following the footnotes/citations in books and magazines for primary and secondary sources.

29. ONLINE databases for secondary sources are great
ONLINE databases for secondary sources are great! Sometimes the secondary sources will use primary sources that are hard to find elsewhere too.
In books and articles, follow the footnote trail in the bibliographies and citations.
J-STOR and “First Search” and other online databases are available at all CPL branches.

30. BIG TIP THE BEST SECONDARY SOURCES CAN LEAD TO: Second BIG TIP:
OTHER KEY SECONDARY SOURCES
WHERE TO FIND PRIMARY SOURCES
AND WILL OFTEN CONTAIN PRIMARY SOURCES STUDENTS CAN USE!
Second BIG TIP:
“Follow the footnotes”

31. Primary Sources The are the “voices into the past” that make history come alive. They are also the historian’s EVIDENCE.
What are primary sources??? Original manuscripts, records, or documents created at the time an event occurred. People who are participants or witnesses are primary sources too.

32. Minutes or reports, government documents
Speeches
Letters
Photographs
Interviews
Diaries
Posters, Flyers
Newspapers, serials
Minutes or reports, government documents
When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out. It could be “name a type of primary source” OR it could be—one image and students say (or hold signs that indicate primary or secondary….) offer both versions… OR do a mix-up for final one and kids have to say “primary” or secondary”. ALSO, ON ANY THE SLIDES, IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR A LITTLE SOURCE ANALYSIS…. WHAT DO YOU LEARN FROM THIS DOCUMENT? WHAT IT IT HELPING TO EXPLAIN ABOUT THE TIME, CONTEXT, AUDIENCE, PURPOSE, ISSUES, IMPACT, SIGNIFICANCE

33. When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out
When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out. It could be “name a type of primary source” OR it could be—one image and students say (or hold signs that indicate primary or secondary….) offer both versions…
Photographs

34. Newspapers, periodicals and serials (magazines)
When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out. It could be “name a type of primary source” OR it could be—one image and students say (or hold signs that indicate primary or secondary….) offer both versions…

35. Flyers, posters, cartoons
When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out. It could be “name a type of primary source” OR it could be—one image and students say (or hold signs that indicate primary or secondary….) offer both versions…
Flyers, posters, cartoons

36. Reports, Government Documents, Laws, Trials, Meeting Minutes
When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out. It could be “name a type of primary source” OR it could be—one image and students say (or hold signs that indicate primary or secondary….) offer both versions… OF COURSE, one could ask, if they had a few weeks—and what could you learn from that document???
Reports, Government Documents, Laws, Trials, Meeting Minutes

37. Also look for… Speeches Interviews Oral Histories Letters Diaries
When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out. It could be “name a type of primary source” OR it could be—one image and students say (or hold signs that indicate primary or secondary….) offer both versions…

38. Primary or Secondary?
When asked, everybody hold up a sign and then draw it out. It could be “name a type of primary source” OR it could be—one image and students say (or hold signs that indicate primary or secondary….) offer both versions… OR do a mix-up for final one and kids have to say “primary” or secondary”

39. Where can you find them? libraries archives interviews neighborhoods
organizations
historic sites
museums
internet
This could be another one where students hold up signs. OR not use at all—just brainstorm and see how many students can offer.

40. About that internet…WARNING Not all internet sources are equal
Google, Yahoo, Ask.com are search engines, not sources. Just the way that a LIBRARY is not a source, but a place that has sources!
Wikipedia? OK for background to get you going, not for bibliographies
.com, “unauthored sites” not credible
some .org can be ok if it is credible and authored
.edu, .gov – you can usually count on them, but be careful of which edu’s you use (it could be a 4th grade classroom!) and on government sites, you want real images and not the “pr” page
Could ask about .com, .org, .edu, ogov
Find the REAL STUFF! Find the REAL STUFF! Find the REAL STUFF!

41. Good and bad websites. Or use next slide, which is good. Which is bad
Good and bad websites. Or use next slide, which is good? Which is bad? Why?
Superior websites give you real primary sources and are usually connected to universities, government, historical societies/museums, special collections

42. A site that is full of primary source documents and images and any secondary source is by a historian…. Versus a site that has grabbed stuff from all over, doesn’t cite it and the writer is either not named or is not an authority on the subject

43. A real article from 1911 (. ) is scanned and full thing is available
A real article from 1911 (?) is scanned and full thing is available. You won’t find the REAL STUFF on the other websites!

44. Just like historians do, you will need to submit an Annotated Bibliography with your project
A bibliography that includes a brief description of each article or book used. The description helps the reader evaluate the content and usefulness of each item to his research.
(It should be attached to the Summary Statement Form.)

45. Annotated Bibliography Title
The annotation summarizes the source and explains how it was used in project.
Bibliographic Information maybe either MLA or Turabian style.
Primary and Secondary Sources should be separated.
This is not an example of the best annotated bibliography. How could it be improved? Check out the bibliographies in our “Gallery.”

46. Step 3 What do I do with all of this?!?
Note-Taking and Analyzing Sources

47. When you’re researching, it might help to organize what you are finding into six main areas:
Description: who, what, when, where
Historical context
What happened: how and why
Causes or contributing factors
What changed and why: effects and impact
Significance
Sometimes research can seem really overwhelming. “There’s all this stuff! What do I do with it?” The trick is to keep organized, take good notes, and ask meaningful questions of the sources you are using. KEEP A BINDER or other system to keep organized. Use DOUBLE or TRIPLE ENTRY for note-taking.
Consider using a “double column” format for taking notes in each cateory: on one side, record the information you find, on the other, ask questions, analyze, make connections.

48. Makes a specific argument or interpretation Has a narrow focus
Once you’ve narrowed your topic, formed a historical question and done more research, you will be able to write your “working thesis.”
Makes a specific argument or interpretation
Has a narrow focus
Based on & can be “proven” with evidence
Can be communicated in one or two sentences
A “working thesis” means what YOU think is going on…but might change or need to be revised as you do deeper research

49. Analyze your sources because they hold the secrets to the past.
Alternative or additional. What’s going on here? Think of another source you could find to help make sense of this photo.

50. Analyze for Time period Author Audience Context Purpose Issue Impact Significance
Let’s analyze this source together.

51. Analyze your sources—they are your evidence
Alternative or additional.

52. Make connections between the primary and secondary sources

53. Step 4 Why does this matter?
Thinking like a historian
and developing your argument with evidence

54. Just like a historian, keep these things in mind when making decisions about what is important enough to include in the story:
Causes and effects
What changed over time?
Why and how did events develop as they did?
So what? -- Why did this person/idea/event make an impact in history?
How does this topic connect to the “big picture”?

55. Thesis
Argument
Conclusion

56. A strong thesis: Makes a specific argument or interpretation*
Has a narrow focus
Based on & can be “proven” with evidence
Can be communicated in one or two sentences
* You know you have a thesis if someone else could make a different argument!

57. What’s your point? In other words…
This is the short-handed way that explains the “so what” factor –why it is important

58. Check these theses
After the 1919 riot the means of enforcing segregation became more accepted, more formal, often more violent, and completely legal.
Pesticides kill thousands of farmworkers and must be stopped.
How did The Jungle make an impact on the foods we eat?
The Juvenile Court system was established to remove children from the adult criminal justice system and help them reform, but over the years it became a source of punishment and imprisonment.
Richard J. Daley died in 1976.
Raise hands or signs yes/no and then why or divide into 5 groups?

59. Good/bad thesis?
Pesticides kill thousands of farmworkers and must be stopped.
The Juvenile Court system was established to remove children from the adult criminal justice system and help them reform, but over the years it became a source of punishment and imprisonment.
A shorter version. Trickier than just a fact statement because the first one does make an argument—but is not historical.

60. Just like a historian, you will need to synthesize—or, connect your sources and information to make your historical intepretation.  

61. The introduction sets up the project The issue Context Change Impact and significance Thesis

62. The race riot of 1919 was a cataclysmic event in Chicago
The race riot of 1919 was a cataclysmic event in Chicago. After five days of rioting, 38 white and black citizens were killed and 537 were injured. The riot itself was the product of nearly two decades of conflict between whites and blacks over housing, jobs, and political representation. Before the riot, the black community was pressed into separate areas of the city by informal and extralegal means. After the riot the means of enforcing segregation became more accepted, more formal, often more violent, and completely legal. In this way the 1919 riot was a turning point for the city Martin Luther King, Jr. called the “most segregated in the nation.”

63. Unpack this—context, change, historical significance, identify the thesis (did the kid really need to use the word thesis however????) I LIKE THIS WAY BETTER THAN 1919, IF IT’S READABLE…

64. The label tells the story—the surrounding sources are the evidence and tell the story

65. Sample of an exhibit that is organized in “chapters” or segments to move the story along, and then a close-up of the segment. Makes it easy to follow argument—can use label or caption approach..

66. Caption Approach– the analysis, or meaning is told under each source
This scene at Madison and Pulaski is before the King riots. This picture shows a movie theater and other bustling businesses. The street has a lot of traffic between people and cars, and even parked cars show there was a lot of business on Madison street. NEXT: In 1900, the city opposed a plan by Union xxx to build a direct … from the Schelsinger and Mayer department store. The city and its consultant a proivde and the street, something that the city guessed was not able to …. The …. Lawyers and city was … ing a previously granted right, and …. The city, allowing the connections to be straightened. CAPTIONS SHOULD NOT JUST DESCRIBE, BUT TELL WHAT EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED!

67. Your conclusion not only summarizes your argument, it tell us why this matters — what we can learn from history to understand today.
The rest of the project follows from the introduction and develops the interpretation by going point by point and proving through sources. The next section will develop this point further

68. Step 5 Now how do I tell the story?
Communicating an historical interpretation through History Fair projects

69. A superior presentation will be:
Clear about the thesis, argument, and conclusion
Show evidence that supports your case—everything relates to your thesis
Written so that the labels or the script are organized and easy to understand
Interesting and creative
Your History Fair project is your opportunity to present your conclusions to a public audience. While it’s important for your project to be creative and interesting, the heart of a solid project is not glitz—it’s a well-defined and communicated argument supported by evidence.

70. Exhibits Lots of visual sources Excellent, tight, writing
Graphic design and creativity
Organized like a mini-museum
Compare bad & good exhibits—and why

71. Can you spot the other labels
Can you spot the other labels? Note the subheads that organize your interpretation? Go back and look at the other exhibits used in this presentation too!
(Notice the summary statement form and annotated bibliography placed in front of the exhibit.)

72. Use subheads & segments to move along the story in each section
INTRO IN EITHER PLACE. Title on a header-board or make room at the top
IMPACT & LONG- LASTING SIGNIFICANCE
Use subheads & segments to move along the story in each section
CONTEXT & BACKGROUND and set-up
MAIN IDEA & EVIDENCE
Show samples of exhibits again and point out organization – especially subheads and why they are important to organizing the exhibit! Think of the exhibit as a museum. Each section a wall in an exhibit. OR as chapters in a book…or even a paper: intro, body, conclusion
CONCLUSION

73. History Fair offers several additional ways to communicate your interpretation….
As the teacher(s) allow…

74. Performances Dramatic or enjoy talking with the public
Most of the sources are text, not visuals
Do not want to write a research paper
Want to try writing a script and block out moves
Willing to practice a lot and ask drama teacher or school play sponsor to help
Individual or groups

75. Research Papers Like to write Few visual sources available
Don’t like to speak in public
Individuals only

76. Documentaries
Know how or would like to learn how to use the technology such as camcorder, documentary editing equipment
Want to write a script
Topic has lots of visual sources
Topic has audio sources (interviews, music)
Individual or groups

77. How will you be evaluated?
Knowledge
Analysis
Sources
Presentation

78. The Summary Statement
Students state their thesis, summarize the main ideas of their project and explain their process of creating their History Fair project.
Lots of penalty points if you do not have a Summary Statement Form and Annotated Bibliography!

79. Where can you go with your History Fair project?

80. You may earn cash prizes and be eligible for a college scholarship!
School Fair
Citywide Fair
Finals (high school only)
State Expo
Public Presentations
National History Day
You may earn cash prizes and be eligible for a college scholarship!

81. Visit our website for more information, ideas, and samples
For History Fair Rules, Resources, Samples and Advice OR TO CONTACT us with questions
Visit our website for more information, ideas, and samples

82. Photo Credits
Slide 11: WPA “Censored” poster (“By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA , Library of Congress,
Slide 31: The Woodlawn Organization photograph (Industrial Area Foundation, Daley Library Special Collections Department, University of Illinois at Chicago); Memo (National Archives & Records Administration, Great Lakes Regional Center); Chicago World’s Fair poster, “Preventable Diseases” poster Board of Public Health Reports, Chicago Public Library; Chicago Defender front page
Slide 32: Chemical man photograph (FSA-OWI Photographs, American Memory, Library of Congress); Memorial Day Massacre photograph (Illinois Labor History Society).
Slide 34: “Why Should We March?” flier (African-American Odyssey, American Memory, Library of Congress); Fugitive Slave broadside (Newberry Library); Naturalization application (National Archives & Records Administration, Great Lakes Regional Center); Hull House Report; Memo (National Archives & Records Administration, Great Lakes Regional Center)
Slide 36: Women intellectuals photograph (Hall Branch Archives 033, Vivian Harsh Collection, Chicago Public Library)
Slide 37: Portrait of Black Hawk (Courtesy Chicago History Museum); Nurse and infant photograph (DN , Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society); Newspaper article
Slide 48: Daley and public housing photograph (
Slide 49: “Why Should We March?” flier (African-American Odyssey, American Memory, Library of Congress)
Slide 50: Juveniles awaiting trial photograph (DN , Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society)