State History Fair
Contact teachers
Last updated January 2001
Aligned with Language Arts & Library/Information Literacy Core
Target group: High school – 9-12th grade
(applicable if adjusted for grades 5-8 as well)
Time frame: 2 months –2nd quarter works well
Teach as part of Language Arts or Social Studies Class
Other teachers who participateObjectives:
I. Select a topic you can care passionately about
II. Make a preliminary plan or outline
III. Find 10 or more useable primary and secondary materials from a variety of sources
IV. Extract and record information from the primary and secondary sources you have found
V. Synthesize the information
VI. Present your findings publically by participating in the National History Fair
VII. Evaluate the process and productConcepts to be taught:
(Linked headings have prepared materials and helps available)Lesson 1 -- Introduction to History Fair
Student Handout explaining history fair
Slide show Introducing history fairLesson 2 – Select an appropriate & interesting research topic--Slide show
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Library Media core 6512-01 (Define a task & identify information needed)
B. Language Arts 4110-0101 (comprehension strategies before reading to be
prepared to learn with text)
II. Select a topic you care passionately about and is related to history fair theme
A. Explore topics that tie into the National History Fair theme
1. List 3 or more topics you are already interested in
2. Talk to 3 adults and write down topics they suggest that interest you
3. Write down ideas you like best as generated by class discussion
and I-search program
B. From brainstorming list, select a topic that will be interesting for two months
C. Narrow down topic: must be adequately covered in a 10 page paper,
or 10 minute presentation (see slide show)Lesson 3 – Make a preliminary plan or outline --Slide show or I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0101 (comprehension strategies before reading
to be prepared to learn with text)
B. Library Media core 6512-01 (define task & identify information needed)
II. Determine what you already know about your topic
A. List facts you already know
B. List information you need to find
III. Make a preliminary plan or outline
A. Use webbing, or associations planner (if you are a right-brained learner)
1. Draw a circle for each of the main ideas you plan to research
2. Draw webbing lines from each circle with related
B. Use a 3 level outline (if you are a left brained learner)
1. On level 1 use Roman numerals to list main ideas
2. On 2nd level use capital letters to show the sub ideas
3. To divide level two, create level three and use numbers.
4. Do not divide unless you can split the idea into two parts
C. Use an idea tree if neither of the other options seems appealing
1. Write the topic on the trunk of the tree
2. Write the main ideas of the topic on the roots of the tree
3. Write any sub ideas of each root, onto auxiliary rootsLesson 4 – Use cross references & Boolean logic -- I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0101(comprehension strategies before, during,
and after reading) and 4110-0202
B. Library Media core 6512-02 ( Identify, evaluate, & select resources)
II. Find 10 or more useable primary and secondary materials from a variety of sources
A. Create a list of cross reference terms you can use while finding sources
1. List at least 5 synonyms for your topic
2. Use a thesaurus if you have problems creating a synonym list
3. List 5 or more key words related to your topic
4. List broader topics that may include your topic
B. Learn and use Boolean logic to find materials on the Internet and other on-line
services, #2 site, Boolean searching on the Internet (excellent explanation).
1. Understand the use of ‘and” and use it as you search
2. Understand the use of “or” and use it as you search
3. Understand the use of “but” and use it as you search
4. Use your cross reference words and Boolean logic to search the Internet
C. Using your cross reference terms begin finding sources you can useLesson 5 – Use the On-line card catalog effectively -- I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0101 and 4110-0202
B. Library Media core 6512-02 ( Identify, evaluate, & select resources
II. Use school or public library on-line card catalog using cross referencing and
Boolean logic to find additional sources
A. Understand information on card catalog
1. Know which entry is the title, subject, author
2. Know which entry shows the call number, number of pages, etc
B. Understand and use subject cards
C. Understand and use topic cards
D. Understand and use author cardsLesson 6 – Understand how libraries are organized to facilitate your search
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0101 and 4110-0202
B. Library Media core 6512-02 ( Identify, evaluate, & select resources)
II. Understand and be able to use the Dewey Decimal system to locate items
A. Memorize the 10 main divisions of the Dewey Decimal system using
memory framework (See I-Search CD for memory framework.)
B. Know where each section is in the library and explore the sections
that are most likely to have information you can useLesson 7 –Using reference materials in the library (I-Search program)
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0101 and 4110-0202
B. Library Media core 6512-02 ( Identify, evaluate, & select resources)
II. Explore and use resources in library
A. Explore and use encyclopedias
B. Explore and use almanacs
C. Explore and use atlas
D. Explore and use and use unabridged dictionaries
E. Explore and use specialized encyclopedias
F. Explore and use biographical references books if appropriate
G. Explore and use books of quotations
H. Explore and use Facts on File (on CD ROMs or by subscription)
I. Explore Readers Guide to Periodical Literature (on CD ROMs or by subscription)
J. Explore and use SIRS
K. Explore and use special collections in the library
1. Example: Explore San Juan Collection (San Juan High)
2. Example: Explore Native American collection (San Juan High)
L. Search through Vertical FilesLesson 8 – Find both primary & secondary source materials -- I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts:4110-0202 (Demonstrate competency in reading &
interpreting Informational text)
B. U.S. History core: 6120-0101 (Investigate primary sources)
II. Understand the difference between Primary and Secondary sources
III. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type of source
IV. Find at least three primary sources or moreLesson 9 – Use the Internet and CD ROMS for research -- I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0101 and 4110-0202
B. Library Media core 6512-02 ( Identify, evaluate, & select resources)
II. Explore and use the Internet and other technology to locate useable information
A. Use a variety of Internet search engines to find information
1. Use Boolean logic, key words, and cross reference terms
2. Evaluate author’s expertise on topic (The following steps also on CD)
3. Decide if source is current (if a criteria)
4. Decide if source is reliable
5. Decide if source gives balanced view
6. Decide if source is credible
7. Decide if source is well supported
B. Use Pioneer library to find sources
C. Use e-mail to contact sources
D. Use CD ROMS listed in library for finding informationLesson 10 – Conducting oral interviews --I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0301, 0302, 0303 (Comprehension strategies before,
during, and after listening)
B. Library Media core 6512-02 (Identify, evaluate, & select resources)
II. Use community resources to find information
A. Use Web quests to stimulate thinking
1. Use Web quest to help students utilize communicty resources
2. Create your own web quest
B. Find people who would be key informants for your topic
1. Ask parents for ideas on whom to interview
2. Ask teacher for ideas on whom to interview
3. Ask the oldest people you know for ideas on whom to interview
C. Interview key informants
1. Make an appointment
2. Prepare for interview
a. Learn as much as you can about the person and era
b. Practice using equipment
c. Write 5-10 open ended questionsLesson 11: Conduct an oral interview -- I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0402 (Listening and interpreting information)
II. Conduct the interview
A. Set up equipment correctly
B. Record an introduction on the tape
1. State Interviewee, interviewer, date, topic, place
2. Play it back, make sure volume, and recording are working
C. Ask open ended questions, unless you need to clarify something
D. Listen attentively
E. Take notes
F. Pay attention to recorder, make sure it runs properly
G. At the end, ask if there is anything else they want to say
H. Label the tape and tape cover
List 5 items: Interviewee, Interviewer, Topic, Place, Date
I. Listen to the tape, use counter to make an index of topics
1. Place index of interview in tape jacket, for future use
2. Make a bibliography card for interviewee
3. Make note cards from interview informationLesson 12 – Telephone Interviews (alternate method) -- I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0402
B. Library Media core 6512-02 ) Identify, evaluate, & select resources
II. Conduct phone interview if face-to-face interview is not possible
A. Get permission to use recording device
B. Use split page verbatim note taking if you cannot record
C. Follow rest of procedures as outlined in oral interviewLesson 13 –Use Other ways to find information -- I-Search program
I. Core Curriculum Standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0301, 0302, 0303 (Comprehension strategies
before, during, and after listening)
B. Library Media core 6512-02 ) Identify, evaluate, & select resources
II. Use a variety of ways to find additional information on your topic
A. Write a letter to an expert
B. Use TV/ or radio interviews for information
C. Use other community resources
1. Visit other schools to collect information
2. Contact businesses to learn information
3. Use newspaper archives to find information
a. Search all newspaper archives
b. Use microfilm and bound volumes of papers
4. Research at museums
5. Research using other libraries
6. Contact government agencies to locate informationLesson 14 – Evaluate and extract information -- I-Search program
I. State Core standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-0102 (Use comprehension strategies
during reading to actively construct the meaning of text)
B. 4110-0103 (Comprehension strategies after reading to reflect and learn with text)
C. Library media core: 6512-04 (Students will engage & extract information)II. Extract and record information from the primary and secondary sources you have found
A. Review preliminary outline.
1. Determine exactly what you are going to focus on as you collect information
2. Revise outline to reflect the main focus of your paper or project
B. Evaluate carefully all information before taking notes. I-Search program
1. Find out if information is current (especially if your have a scientific topic)
2. Make sure information is relevant and reliable
3. Determine if the information is balanced
4. Determine if the author is credible
5. See if information is well supported, and documented
6. Recognize information that contains propaganda or bias
7. Recognize information that is opinion rather than fact
C. Write bibliography cards using correct format for all useable sources I-Search program
1. Number cards according to value of source
2. Refer to model for correct format of bibliography card
D. Take notes from sources you have selected I-Search program
1. Use direct quotes sparingly, and only for uniquely stated information
2. For most notes use paraphrased information, using your own words
3. For long sections, write note cards as summaries
4. If preferred, use outline to list main ideas, or use bullets showing key ideas
5. Document each note card carefully, so you know where you got the
information
a. Note card should list the number of the source card,
b. Note card should also list the page number used
c. Note card should also show where the source was located
6. Take notes from photocopied information
a. Highlight main ideas
b. Cut and paste quotes on to note cards, if desired
7. Take notes from oral interviews
8. Do not plagiarize
a. Identify all ideas not original with you
b. Show the source of all informationLesson 15 & 16: Synthesize and present the information you have found -- I-Search program
I. State Core standard:
A. Language Arts 4110-07 (students use process strategies
before, during and after composing)
B. 4110-0802 (Demonstrate competency in writing informational text,
C. 4110-09 (use process strategies before, during, and after presenting)
D. Library Media core: 6512-05 (students will organize, synthesize,
and present information)
E. U.S. History: 6120-0102 (Develop writing skills in social studies,
develop an original project or paper)
II. Choose a format for presenting your research project
A. Historical paper --Review criteria & rules
B. Project board -- Review criteria & rules
C. Media presentation-- Review criteria & rules
1. Slide shows/ Power points/ Corel Presentations
2. Video show
3. SURWEB
D. Performance -- Review criteria & rulesIII. Organize your information -- I-Search program
A. Practice organizing information
B. Determine how to organize your information
1. Chronological?
2. Significance?
3. Categories?
C. Document all sources, compose an annotated bibliography
IV. Revise preliminary outline
A. Examine information you have
B. Compare information to preliminary outline
C. Adjust outline by elimination, and creation of new subtopicsLesson 17 – Evaluate research & project -- I-Search program
I. State Core standard:
A. Library Media core 6512-06 (students will evaluate the process and the
product)
B. Language Arts: 4110-0806 (use writing to learn)
II. Evaluate weekly work and final project
A. Write weekly evaluation of
1. Use of time
2. Value of sources and materials found
3. New ideas
B. Evaluate sources and progress based on history or science fair criteria
C. Authentic assessment and peer evaluation of final project
1. Use 6-trait rubric for assessment
2. Enter fair and have project evaluated
3. Evaluate other projects using fair criteriaLesson 18 – Use technology to present an abstract of research to peers, parents,
or web classmates (optional lesson if used for English classes)
I. State Core standard:
A. Language arts: 4110-0901 and 902 (Use strategies to prepare
and present an effective presentation)
B. 4110-1002 and 1004 (Demonstrate competency in presenting in
Informational situations)II. Create a visual organizer to be used as part of a presentation.
This can be a video, PowerPoint, or Corel Presentation.
A. Presentation should be 3-5 minutes in length
B. Use at least 2 graphics
C. Use at least one chart
D. Use animated bullets
III. Deliver an effective presentation by using the following strategies:
A. Activate audiences prior knowledge
B. Convey central ideas of research clearly
C. Vary tone, pitch, pace, and use of technology in presentation to aid communication
D. Adjust presentation to accommodate audience response
E. Demonstrate ethical and appropriate use of resources to enhance presentation
F. Use voice, body language & technology in presentation