History Fair Guidelines

Grades

6-8

Theme: Change

events and issues relating to geography, economics, culture, history or government

• Sixth grade: Change in the world

• Seventh grade: Change in Texas

• Eighth grade: Change in the United States of America “Colonization to Reconstruction”

Recommended sources for selecting a topic

• Newspaper

• Internet

• News sites

• History sites

• Magazines

• History books

Sept. 3rd and 4th

Selection of Topic----must relate to the theme of change.

Research plan---How do you intend to do research?

Presentation type- choose one of five ways to present.

October 2nd and 3rd

• Research articles are due.

• Sources should be gathered during research.

• Rubric will be provided.

October 16 and 17

• Library books found from research.

• Physically bring in books for research.

• This date we will start the bibliography in class.

• Students will learn the style for references in the bibliography.

November 20 and 21

• First rough draft is due.

• This day we will review rough draft together.

December 11 and 12

• Second rough draft is due.

• Will review draft in a conference with teacher.

Feb. 5-6

• Process rough draft describing the process behind your research is due.

• 500 words.

• Must cover the way that you gathered your information.

• The process behind your research.

• Will be accepted in outline form, but the final must be in paragraph form.

March 26-27

• Final project due.

• Critiquing dates to be announced possibly March 30-31, 2009.

Process Paper Required

• All presentations will require a process paper.

• Process paper --- requires 500 words explaining how you did your research. What steps did you take?

Five Ways to Present:You MUST choose only ONE of the

following:• Paper

• Web page

• Documentary

• Performance

• Exhibit

Choose How You Want to Do It

• Individual project.

• Group of three or fewer.

Research Paper

• Number of words 1500 to 2500.

• Citations must be included. (Information will be provided in a few weeks.)

• Papers must be typed –observe rule three.

• Number of copies- four copies must be submitted.

Exhibit Category

• It is a visual representation of your research and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history.

• Size requirement: see rule one page 15.

• Media Devices: see rule 2 page 15.

• Word limit of 500 words.

Performance Category

• A performance is a dramatic portrayal of your topic’s significance in history and must be original in production.

• Rule 1: time requirements.

• Rule 2: performance introduction.

• Rule 3: media devices.

• Rule 4: script.

• Rule 5: costumes.

Documentary Category

• Documentary should reflect your ability to use audiovisual equipment to communicate your topic’s significance.

• Rule one: Time requirements.• Rule two: Introduction.• Rule three: Student involvement.• Rule 4: Student production.• Rule 5: Entry production.• Rule 6: Credits.• Rule 7: Displays.• Rule 8: Computer entries.

Web site Category

• Rule 1: Size requirements.• Rule 2: Navigation.• Rule 3: Multimedia.• Rule 4: Entry production.• Rule 5: Bibliographic sources.• Rule 6: Stable content.• Rule 7: Viewing files.• Rule 8: File safety.• Rule 9: Submitting entry for judging.

Good Luck!!!

• Have fun and learn a lot!!!!!