Models of Participation
The History Day model is flexible, allowing teachers and students to participate in a variety of ways.
Timelines
There is no required timeline for History Day participation. If competing, most teachers start with our state contest date and plot backwards. From kick off and topic selection to contest prep. Whether or not you have a school contest or go all the way to the national contest, each History day journey is unique and exciting.
Each History Day classroom timeline is different. The sample timelines below are from actual History Day classrooms.
Each History Day classroom timeline is different. The sample timelines below are from actual History Day classrooms.
Middle School
Integrated into Curriculum Mid-October: Introduce History Day, spend next three class periods doing topic selection and preliminary research End of October: Topics and group selected November: Initial research done approximately 2-3 days a week, viewing sample projects around Thanksgiving December: Research once a week the first two weeks, research every day before winter break January: Research three days a week in class Last week of January-First two weeks of February: Project creation in class every day Third week of February: Project due |
High School
Integrated into Curriculum November: 2nd week - Introduce History Day Monday before Thanksgiving: Topics selected, initial research completed during break End of November/Early December: Media Center time for Primary/Secondary Sources Winter Break: Students research in a community or university library January: 2nd week - Thesis Statement Due End of January: First draft of all text due for feedback, have had approximately one class day a week to work on project February: Revising text and creating project, approximately one day a week of class time to work End of February: Project due |
All Levels
Curriculum Hold for History Day January 2: Project Introduction January 3: Overview of Contest/Topic Ideas January 6: Primary and Secondary Sources January 9: Topic and Project Categories January 10: Research Tips January 13-22: Research in class January 23-31: Project Assembly February 4: Projects Due |