Curriculum and Timeline

History Day curriculum materials include a variety of tools for teachers to use to support classroom instruction. These materials are sorted chronologically, in order of how History Day is usually implemented in the classroom.

• Project framework and introduction
• Parent communication
• Contracts and working in a group
• Topic selection
• Theme
• Research tools
• Research organization and notetaking
• Thesis statements
• Historical context
• Project organization
• Writing project text
• Bibliographies and citations
• Process papers
• Category overview and samples
• Documentary
• Exhibit
• Paper
• Performance
• Website

Timeline

History Day is designed for teachers to adapt in their classrooms.

Below we have suggested a broad timeline for completing the History Day program, but there is no "right" way to implementing the project in your classroom. You can also look at sample timelines from our Master Teacher Network.

• September/October​: Introduce History Day to your students. Begin discussing the theme, and topics students may be interested in. Introduce primary and secondary sources. You may ask students to complete a topic proposal, or to sign an agreement between group members and parents.
• November/December: Have students choose a topic, and begin their secondary source research. Once they've narrowed their topic, encourage them to begin researching primary sources.
• December/January: Encourage students to attend a Hullabaloo for research and project help. Prepare for the participation survey by getting a sense of how many projects your school has in each category/division. Discuss and combine project totals with other History Day teachers in your school. The participation  survey will be emailed in early December and due in early January.
• January: Complete the participation and receive your school's allotments for how many projects may advance to Regional competitions. Encourage students to complete their research.
• February: Help your students transition from research to project construction. Place emphasis on the quality of research, analysis, and content in a project. Hold a school contest/fair at minimum three weeks prior to your Regional event.
• March/April/May/June: History Day contest season. Regionals and off-site Paper judging take place in March, State feedback sessions are in April, and State History Day is held at the end of April or beginning of May. The National Contest takes place at the University of Maryland, College Park in mid-June.

Master Teacher Sample Timelines

• Chosen Valley Junior/Senior High School, Late January-March
• Mankato West High School, October-February
• Salk Middle School, November-March
• Wayzata West Middle School, January-March
• St. Jude Catholic School, November-February

Project framework and introduction

These tools can help you introduce students to History Day.

Parent communication

Communicating with parents is an important step in keeping students involved with History Day. These resources can help you determine the best way to keep parents in the loop.

Contracts and working in a group

Help students determine the best way for them to work on History Day - individually or as a group.

Topic selection

These are resources that may help students determine the best topic for their project.

Theme

Resources for this year's theme.

Research tools

Helpful resources as students begin researching their topic.

Research org and notetaking

Materials that students may use to keep track of their research and notes.

Thesis statements

Resources available about learning what thesis statements are and how to write one.

Historical context

Materials to helps students determine the scope of their project.

Project organization

Mapping out a History Day project, the best ways to organize information.

Writing project text

Teaching students how to turn their notes into text.

Annotated bibliographies

History Day students may use MLA or Chicago citation styles. All categories are required to include an annotated bibliography.

Process papers

Process Papers are required for all categories and must contain the same elements.

Category overview and samples

Learn about each category and view sample projects.

Documentary

Materials for students creating History Day Documentaries.

Exhibit

Materials for students creating History Day Exhibit Boards.

Paper

Materials for students writing History Day Papers.

Performance

Materials for students creating History Day Performances.

Website

Materials for students creating History Day Websites.