Discusses communication in history, the theme for National History Day in 1993. Presents a list of approaches to the theme that could be taken as topics for study. Includes informational media, rhetoric and social change, transmission of cultural values, technology, and miscommunication. Contains a bibliography for each topic. (DK)

Two teachers describe their junior high school's involvement in National History Day. Participation in History Day provides students with the thrill of competition and the satisfaction that comes from really getting into a topic of their choice. (RM)

Provides directions for teaching high school students about world religions through the convening of a mock ecumenical council. Discusses objectives, activities, student presentations, the ecumenical council, and sample rules. Explains that groups of students are assigned to research particular religions and offer presentations about them before…

Justifies reasons for using an annual theme in National History Day, and suggests guidelines for selecting a topic. Stresses the importance of the last two words, "in History," urging students to keep historical context in mind. Emphasizes that current events should be considered within the historical milieu and illustrates ways that…

Addresses the National History Day 2000-2001 competition topic "Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas," which encourages analysis of how frontiers develop and their impact on human life. Describes different approaches to the topic, what is expected of students, and the competition itself. (CMK)

Describes the purposes and structure of an undergraduate course for sophomore-level students called "Your Family in History" that takes an anthropological approach to studying family history. States that the course encourages students to do ethnographic research on a dimension of their own family culture. Includes an abbreviated course syllabus.…

Presents a lesson where the students participate in a simulation of the process at Ellis Island in order to understand the feelings people underwent during immigration. Explains that the students choose and research a character, either fictional or a relative, and act out the experience of entering Ellis Island. (CMK)

Describes research that students can undertake while studying history in a cemetery. Explains that, for example, students can study the changes in the cemetery, select a tombstone and write a biography of the person identified on the headstone, and learn about the memorial park and what it says about society. Includes a bibliography. (CMK)

Outlines a lesson plan designed for an eleventh-grade U.S. history class in which the students learn about the Progressive Era by reading Stephen Crane's "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets." Explains that students analyze point of view, role play a talk show, write an essay, and complete a long-term research project. (CMK)

Provides background information on Robert Portner and Jennie Dean focusing on their contributions to the community of Manassas, Virginia, and the events leading up to their legacies at Manassas. Considers the importance of family history as U.S. history and includes an assignment that enabling students to create their own stories derived from…

Discusses how students research and publish self-guided walking tours under the guidance of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Assesses the educational value of the experience and suggests resources for creating a tour. Recommends strategies for researching ethnic neighborhoods, including the use of religious and secular institutions for…

Describes the Readings Text task, a method for evaluating history students. Explains that the students learn history through primary sources and learn critical thinking skills as they weigh the importance of different documents. Discusses the students' selection of historical topics, selection of primary sources, and a model document edited by a…

Describes the Notable American Project, which focuses on the First Ladies and other notable people in the United States for students in grades 8-12. Explains that students select their subjects and then write biographical research papers, create historical posters, and present first-person speeches in costumes. Offers handouts. (CMK)

Describes the content of a course on material culture for undergraduate students that was separated into two sections: (1) first students read books and analyzed artifacts; and (2) then the class explored the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) in 1876, applying material culture methods and constructing a Web site from their…

Outlines a step-by-step process through which students can construct, defend, and test historical arguments. These include to support the claim with facts and analyze their relevance, to oppose the claim with additional facts, to rebut this claim with additional facts, and to ask for new information to test the claim. (MJP)