Alameda County and Contra Costa County

History Day Weekend 2011
"Creating Solutions for the World We Share"

Judges Needed for NHD-CA Statewide Competition!
History Day 2011 Champions 
About History Day | Press Release | Information for Judges
Friday 3/11/11 ~ Special Event
 Saturday 3/12/11 ~ History Day Competition

Friday March 11, 2011

A Special Evening Advancing Civility in Public Discourse
Dolores Huerta in conversation with Cruz Reynoso
Moderator Abby Ginzberg
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Oakland Asian Cultural Center | Register Here

Throughout the 1960’s and 70’s, Dolores Huerta -- cofounder of the United Farm Workers -- and Cruz Reynoso of California Rural Legal Assistance -- later to become California's first Latino Supreme Court Justice -- engaged in debate and diplomatic dialogue/negotiation between union and government around farmworkers’ rights. These two trailblazers will engage in conversation about the nature of that discourse, reflect on how it has shaped subsequent developments and the current state of labor relations, and look to the future, analyzing what has changed and what challenges remain. Abby Ginzberg, producer and director of the documentary film “Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice”, will moderate.
A dance-based performance created by Mika Lemoine of Destiny Arts Center will set the historical context for the dialogue. Destiny Arts will also be presented with the 2nd Annual "Youth Empowerment Award". Award-winning students from East Oakland School of the Arts will share their experiences and work.

Saturday March 12, 2011

History Day Competition
Oakland Museum of California ~ Viewing of Student Projects ~
12 noon- 3:00 p.m.
1000 Oak Street, Oakland

Special Performance by Ricardo Salinas of Culture Clash
& Awards Ceremony at "The Forum" in Laney College
3:00-4:30 p.m.
900 Fallon Street, Oakland
 

Over 200 students are preparing approximately 100 projects in nine Alameda County school districts, two districts in Contra Costa County, and several private schools. Student projects include documentary films, dramatic performances, Websites, papers, and museum exhibits addressing this year's theme, "Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences."
The award ceremony will feature a performance by Ricardo Salinas of Culture Clash and include the 2nd annual presentation of the Claudette Colvin award recognizing the best student project focusing on youth challenging injustice.

The Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest makes history come alive for America's youth by engaging them in the discovery of the historic, cultural, and social experiences of the past. Through hands-on experiences and presentations, participants are better able to inform the present and shape the future. National History Day inspires children through exciting competitions and transforms teaching through project-based curriculum and instruction.

What is History Day?  | Information for Judges

History Day is…

• a national program, with state and regional (county-level) competitions, in which students prepare projects – posters, exhibits, papers, websites, dramatic performances and documentary films – on a historical theme
• an opportunity for students to improve academic achievement through deep and broad study addressing multiple standards and including tasks such as formulating questions, reading widely and thoroughly, bridging reading to writing, doing primary research, evaluating evidence, organizing, presenting, explaining and defending ideas
• an arts-integrated,  project-based teaching approach that moves above and beyond book learning
• a form of authentic assessment of young people as historians – and thus an antidote to imposed one-note accountability
• an opportunity for students to research genuine and culturally-relevant topics they care about and that relate to their own sense of self, family and community
• an opportunity for students to learn about people and events central to ongoing struggles for justice and democracy

What does a History Day student participant do?

Specific rules and guidelines are available in the History Day rulebook. In general, though, students who participate in History Day…

• participate as individuals OR in groups of two to five
• choose topics tied to the central theme, then conduct extensive primary and secondary source-based research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews, and even travel to historic sites
• analyze and interpret their sources to draw conclusions about their topics’ historical significance
• present their work in original papers, websites, exhibits, dramatic performances and documentary films
• enter into competitions in the spring at county, state and national levels where their work is evaluated by professional historians, community members and educators.

What topics may be addressed in History Day projects?

During the 2010-2011 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme of Diplomacy and Dialogue in History: Successes, Failures and Consequences. For more information, please visit the NHD website at: http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/AnnualTheme.htm

When and where will History Day 2011 be held?

The dual county History Day competition will be held at the Oakland Museum of California on Saturday, March 12, 2011.

Where can one find more information about History Day 2011?

You can view an excellent introductory video and get basic information about National History Day at:
http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/About.htm

More information and supporting materials are also available from:A national program in which students prepare projects – posters, exhibits, papers, websites, dramatic performances and documentary films – on a historical theme. It is an opportunity for students to improve academic achievement through deep and broad study addressing multiple standards and including tasks such as formulating questions, reading widely and thoroughly, bridging reading to writing, doing primary research, evaluating evidence, organizing, presenting, explaining and defending ideas. History Day is a project-based teaching approach that moves above and beyond book learning; it is a form of authentic assessment of young people as historians – and thus an antidote to imposed one-note accountability.
History Day is an opportunity for students to research genuine and culturally-relevant topics they care about and that relate to their own sense of self, family and community. It is an opportunity for students to learn about people and events central to ongoing struggles for justice and democracy.

What are examples of debates? A debate is defined as an argument, a dispute or a deliberation. Famous debates like the Lincoln/Douglas debates over slavery, Aristotle and Plato discussing “nature versus nurture” or the impact of the Kennedy/Nixon televised presidential debates on political campaigns are interesting topics. But so are debates concerning civil liberties. Who should be allowed to vote? A paper or an exhibit on the 15th or the 19th amendments or a web site of Anna Howard Shaw’s Fundamental Principles of Representation, are excellent NHD projects. With this theme, the amendments to The Constitution or Supreme Court cases can be mined for topic ideas.

What about diplomacy? Diplomacy is defined in the most simplistic terms as international affairs. When nations collide in ideological differences or battle over resources, (it) may demand a diplomatic solution. An international conference, a treaty or a summit… are examples of research topics related to Diplomacy.

The second part of the theme includes words to use as a thinking backboard or to bounce your topic off. These words help you analyze your topic by raising questions that you will need to answer as you research. What made your topic a success or a failure? Was it a success in the beginning and then later determined a failure? For whom? Why or why not? Was an important group of people‘s voices silenced? And the most important word—consequences.

How does your topic have long term impact? How did it change history? Your interpretation of the consequences and historical significance of your topic should be based on your research and supported by evidence. Always examine your topic for the short-term consequences and the long-term change.”
As always, the theme is broad enough to include topics from any period of history and from any part of the world. (From the NHD website: http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/AnnualTheme.htm)

Please take a minute to sign-up for our mailing list to receive information about History Day Events.

Information for Judges

Judge Registration Form for Alameda County History Day 2011
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Judges Needed for the NHD-CA Statewide Competition
The National History Day – California State Finals competition is around the corner!  On April 29^th and 30^th, nearly 1000 youngsters from across California will converge on the Doubletree Hotel in SAN JOSE with hopes of being named California state champions in the “Olympics of History.”  Winners will go on to represent California at the national competition in June.
 
NHD California is in need of judges. Sign up now!
We are actively recruiting caring adults to serve as judges for this year’s state competition.  Please consider joining the community of dedicated supporters of this extremely memorable and meaningful educational opportunity for youngsters. For those in the education community, it’s also a chance to familiarize yourself with the program, and to encourage involvement of those you think would make good History Day teachers in the future and/or administrators, parents and others who’d lend support.
 
You can sign-up to judge for all or part of one or both days of the competition.  Given that this year’s contest is being held in San Jose, think of it as a great day trip.
 
Below please find event information.  The FAQ sheet should provide answers to your questions. You will be doing us and our youth a great service by volunteering your time. Please sign up NOW, and forward these materials to others as well. Feel free to contact the NHD-CA state coordinator Debbie Granger (dgranger@ocde.us) with any additional questions.
 
We hope to see you in San Jose!

Information to get you started:
General Judge Recuitment Flyer (please share with your friends and colleagues!)
Registration Form

Avi Black, ACOE History Day Coordinator, 510-670-4239
Debbie Granger, NHD-CA state coordinator