TeachersFirst's National History Day Resources
Whether your students actually compete in National History Day or not, the annual themes and the challenge of hands-on, primary research wrapped into the History Day project format is an engaging way for students to participate in their own learning and produce rigorous, meaningful projects they will never forget. This collection of TeachersFirst resources pulls from our offerings on primary sources -- a requirement in the national history day competition. Check the official National History Day site at the start of each school year for the specific theme of the year. Then search TeachersFirst for more resources related to that year's theme. Explore and share these offerings as you plan a "history day" type event for your school or to assist students participating in National History Day.
View all of our resources tagged History Day.
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DocsTeach - Digital Vaults - National Archives
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): civil rights (197), congress (39), courts (19), first ladies (4), immigration (65), inventors and inventions (71), Juneteenth (22), lewis and clark (14), presidents (126), primary sources (118), slavery (77), womens suffrage (44), world war 1 (75), world war 2 (155)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an anticipatory set for a unit in history or on inventions. Share a collection of images or invention drawings on a projector or whiteboard and ask what the invention will do. Or use the site as the starting point for individual or group projects. After demonstrating on an interactive whiteboard or projector, have students use laptops or lab computers to "collect" resources related to their assigned inventor, decade, or era in American history. Check your school policy regarding accessing student email. If students cannot have their own email accounts, consider using a "class set" of GMail subaccounts (managed by you), explained here. This tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service. This would provide anonymous interaction within your class. Students can use their log-ins to collect resources.Since the documents are in the public domain (are not copyrighted), students may also download and use the files as part of other projects, such as video compilations, Powerpoint presentations, or multimedia of any sort. To access the resources in non-Flash format, click the small link to "research this record in ARC" in the detailed view of the item. You can then view and Save As for use elsewhere. Be sure you teach students about copying the URL and relevant information from this ARC page to cite the source and give credit in any presentation they make. This site is excellent for enrichment or projects for the gifted, as well. Include it on your teacher web page for students to access both in and out of class for students who are working in History Day projects or other assignments for your class.
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Discovering American Women's History Online - Ken Middleton
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): history day (39), women (140)
In the Classroom
This is an excellent resource for piecing together American history by examining primary source documents. Have cooperative learning groups investigate women's contributions in various decades and extend their learning by creating a video using Renderforest, reviewed here, to share with their peers. Share the videos using a site such as SchoolTube reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Picturing Modern America 1880-1920 - Educational Development Center, Inc.
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 1900s (73), 1920s (15), history day (39), immigration (65), industrialization (11), womens suffrage (44), world war 1 (75)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an in class activity for various units in your classroom, including the early 1900's, immigration, the roaring 20's, etc. Have students complete their investigations in pairs, having a class competition to see who can get the most right! A very fun way to review and encourage critical thinking skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Travels in America - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): dickens (8), history day (39), states (122)
In the Classroom
Use the primary sources in this site in a "survivor" activity that not only teaches the content but teaches students how to analyze primary sources, too. Separate students into groups and assign each group a different primary source to analyze and interpret with the intentions of presenting their findings to the class. Enhance learning by having students use Genially, reviewed here, to choose their type of multimedia for their presentation. With Genially students can insert maps, surveys, video, audio and more. After presentations, have a representative from each group go to the front of the class and present an argument why their source is the most reliable and why it presents the clearest picture of the early US government. Use Dotstorming, reviewed here; with Dotstorming students are allowed to vote and make comments. Have the class vote off the least reliable primary source in rounds until there is just the one left! Students will leave the class understanding the content AND how to analyze sources for future reference.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History Matters - George Mason University
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): history day (39), states (122)
In the Classroom
This site offers a treasure trove of primary sources that would be useful for any history classroom. Teachers can either use the sources to supplement their lectures, or can use them to start a debate with students on the qualities of effective primary sources. Separate students into groups, and provide each group with a different primary source, although from the same time frame you are studying in class. Have the groups analyze the sources, and a list of reasons as to why or why not their source is a reliable source. From then on, have the groups debate in class which is the most reliable by way of class debate. Not only will the kids synthesize the important information within the sources, but they will also get a handle as to what makes a source reliable.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Making of America - Cornell University
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): history day (39), journals (16)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource to find primary sources, whether it be for in class activities or for students working on research projects & papers. If using for classroom activities, consider having the pictures serve as prompts, introductory activities, wrap-ups or even as an analytical activity. Students can analyze whats in the picture or primary source for a variety of purposes. If using as a resource for research projects, make sure to include the site on any handouts as well as post on your class wiki or web page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lawmaking for a New Nation - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): congress (39), constitution (87), history day (39), politics (111)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource for finding primary sources that can be used in your classroom. One great way way to do so is through visual discovery, introducing the topic of the Continental Congress. Select 3-5 images from this site, choosing the most powerful and moving images. Placing the images on individual slides, allow students 1-2 minutes to observe each image. During that time period, students should be taking notes based on what they observe, predict and infer about each image. The more powerful and detailed the image is, the more information students can take out. After the class has observed all the chosen images, have a class discussion based on the notes students took. This is a great way to introduce content in a way that engages students and gets them thinking, as well as avoiding the typical lecture format. Your visual learners will appreciate this technique.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History Day Resources! - National Archives
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): history day (39)
In the Classroom
Save this site as a favorite and use it to generate ideas for lesson plans and classroom activities. The lessons can expand to your everyday, it doesn't have to be exclusive to a History day! American History teachers everywhere will appreciate this one.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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