Parent's Role in History Day

Can you believe that we are in the 5th week of school???  Time is flying by and students are starting to get into the groove of all things History Day.  Last week we dove into this year's History Day theme (Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange in History) and this week students are starting their research.  Students have joined my History Day Google Classroom and have their Noodle Tools accounts set up.  They are well on their way to creating great projects.

So parents, you might be wondering... What is your role in History Day?

Making History: A Guide to Historical Research Through the National History Day Program lays it out like this:

• Provide encouragement, support, and guidance.
• Make sure your child feels it is his or her project.  Make sure the work is the work of the child.
• Make sure your child is doing a project that interests and excites him or her.  Make sure it is your child's topic.
• Realize the main goal of a National History Day project is to help your child use and strengthen the skills she or he has learned and developed.  The main goal should not be the medal or prize.
• Assist your child or children as he or she conducts research.  Adults can help students locate materials, but students should take notes, conduct interviews, and generally take responsibility for completing the research.
• Provide transportation for research trips to libraries, museums, universities, and similar places that can help your child find project information.
• Learn about your community with your child.  Find out what kinds of museums and historical sites are in your area.  Get involved in your child's learning process and share this experience.
• Help your child plan a mutually agreed on timeline to prevent a last-minute project.  Talk with your child's teacher to find out the timetable for completing a National History Day project.
• Discuss and reinforce the good social and communication skills your child needs to have to work with a partner.  As much as possible, allow your child to deal with situations that may arise with his or her partner.  Working with a partner is part of the learning experience.
• Help at your local school or district National History Day contests.  Contact your child's teacher or your National History Day district coordinator to volunteer.

If I were to summarize the parent's role in NHD, this is what I would say:

• Follow this blog.
• Get your child to log in and show you our Google Classroom for History Day.
• Get your child to show you their Noodle Tools account and progress.  I will grade sources from this account.
• Give ideas for topics, but let your child pick the topic that is most interesting to them. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of time asking "why haven't you completed your work for Mrs. McFarlain?"  And you will be surprised just how much you can learn from their topics.
• Talk to your child about what they are accomplishing with their project at school.  I give a lot of class time for NHD research and project creation, so most of their "work" should be done at school. (They will learn time management through this project).
• Question your students about their topic/play the devil's advocate.  (Have you thought of this?  Why do you think this happened?  Do you think everyone agrees?  How did it change history?).  Make them prove to you that their topic changed history.
• Check my website for important deadlines and information.  
• Know that sometimes frustration and tears are followed up by some of the best projects. Students are learning and creating at a very high level, BUT THEY CAN DO IT!!!  Don't let them quit because something is difficult.  
• Email me with any questions or concerns.

I hope this information helps and gives you an idea on how you can encourage your child through what I believe is one of the greatest learning experiences at LISD.  We are in this together and we will strive to help them be successful.  

PS, They have online homework tonight that requires your attention and approval.  

Sources:

Vandenberg-Daves, Jodi. "Ch 7: Running a History Day Contest." Making History: A Guide to Historical Research through the National History Day Program. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2006. N. pag. Print.