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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.
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 | |
| Title | Description |
| Watch video History Day Promo on Vimeo | 3 minute program video overview |
| Teacher Framework (Google Doc) | Complete guide to History Day for teachers |
| Master Teacher Network | Veteran teachers share their project resources |
| NHD Contest Rulebook (PDF) | Contest rulebook outlining requirements for all levels of program |
| Summary of Rulebook changes (PDF) | Summary of changes effective as of July 2021 |
| Watch Exploring NHD video for students | 11 minute introduction to History Day program for students |
| Introducing History Day Student Guide 2025 (Google Doc) | Student handbook covering all aspects of the program |
| Introducing History Day Student Guide 2025 (Google Doc)- Spanish | Spanish translation of the student handbook covering all aspects of the program |
| Goal Setting and Progress Tracking (Google Doc) | Worksheet for tracking History Day project progress |
| EL Curriculum Guide | Text set resources that break down the research process for English Language Learners |
Parent Communication | |
| Title | Description |
| Parent/Guardian Communication Ideas (Google Doc) | Ideas for what information to share with parent/guardians |
| Parent Letters (PDF, Multiple Languages) | Pre-drafted letters to send directly to parents |
Contracts and Group Work | |
| Title | Description |
| Working in a Group Reflection (Google Doc) | Worksheet excerpt from Teacher Framework |
| Group Contract Sample (Google Doc) | Worksheet excerpt from Teacher Framework |
| Ship on the Sea (Google Doc) | Worksheet excerpt from Teacher Framework |
| Group Roles and Goals (Google Doc) | Group work worksheet |
Topic Selection | |
| Title | Description |
| Topic Narrowing Presentation (Google Slides) | Google presentation on strategies for selecting a narrow topic |
| Topic Narrowing Presentation Video | Video describing topic narrowing strategies |
| Topic Narrowing Funnel (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Introducing History Day Student Guide |
| Selecting a Topic Overview (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Introducing History Day Student Guide |
| Topic Exploration Presentation (Google Slides) | Google Presentation on brainstorming topic ideas |
| Picking a Topic Weebly! | Interactive website with topic ideas |
| MN Library Guides | MN-based topic ideas and research resources |
| Novice Topic List (PDF) | Student-friendly topics, organized by category |
| What Makes a Good Topic? (Google Doc) | Worksheet to help students pick topics |
| Topic and Theme Exploration (Google Doc) | Worksheet to think about topic and its connection to the theme |
Annual Theme | |
| Title | Description |
| MN Theme Sheet - Available in September | One page overview on the theme from Minnesota History Day |
| MN Theme Sheet (Spanish) - Available in September | Spanish translation of the one page overview of the theme from Minnesota History Day |
| MN Theme Sheet "Mini" - Available in September | Abbreviated version of the one page overview on the theme from Minnesota History Day |
| MN Theme Presentation Video - Available in September | Video presentation of this year's theme PowerPoint |
| MN Theme PowerPoint - Available in September | Request for PowerPoint slides of MN Theme Presentation |
| Theme Guided Questions - Available in September | Guided questions to follow along with MN theme sheet |
| NHD Theme Sheet (PDF) | Theme sheet overview from National History Day |
| NHD Theme Book (PDF) | Theme resources from National History Day |
| NHD Theme Video | Theme video from National History Day |
| Theme Graphic Organizer (Google Doc) | Worksheet to work on discovering a topic and identifying the theme connection |
Research Tools | |
| Title | Description |
| Research Questions 101 Presentation (Google Slides) | PowerPoint presentation on understanding research questions and pre-research |
| Research Questions 101 Video | Video about how to get started on developing research questions |
| Research Questions 101 Checklist (Google Doc) | Checklist handout to understand research questions |
| Research Questions Project Handout (Google Doc) | Handout to go along with Research Questions 101 video |
| Research Questions Brainstorming Guide (Google Doc) | Handout to go along with Research Questions 101 Video |
| National Archives Source Analysis Worksheets | Source activity from the National Archives |
| Research Questions (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Introducing History Day Student Guide |
| Thinking Like an Historian Chart (PDF) | Chart to brainstorm different ways to think about your topic |
| Research Questions (Google Doc) | Worksheet with questions to think about while starting research |
| Primary and Secondary Source Brainstorm (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Student Research Guide |
| Student Research Workbook 2025 (Complete Google Doc) | Workbook that can guide students through the History Day research process |
| Library of Congress Written Analysis Worksheets (PDF, Novice level PDF) | Worksheets that help determine the best parts of a resource |
| Illustration and Media Brainstorm (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Student Research Guide |
| Watch video Primary vs. Secondary Sources video on YouTube | Video on the differences between primary and secondary sources |
| Watch video Using InterLibrary Loan on Vimeo | Video on how InterLibrary Loan works |
| Watch video Using Wilson Library on YouTube | Video on navigating Wilson Library at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus |
| Research Tracking Template (Google Doc) | Worksheet to track resources |
| NHD and AI Guidance (PDF) | Handout on using AI directly from National History Day |
Research Organization and Notetaking | |
| Title | Description |
| Index Cards Overview (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Student Research Workbook |
| Cornell Notes Overview and Work Pages (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Student Research Workbook |
| Source Cards Worksheets (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Student Research Workbook |
Thesis Statements | |
| Title | Description |
| Original Thesis Statement Worksheet (Google Doc) | Original thesis statement worksheet from Teacher Framework |
| Shortened Thesis Statement Worksheet (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Teacher Framework |
| Mad Libs Thesis Statement (Google Doc) | Fill-in-the blank thesis statement worksheet |
| Thesis Statement Presentation (Google Slides) | View-only version of the thesis statement presentation |
| Thesis Statement Presentation Video | Video presentation of the Thesis Statement presentation |
| Thesis Comparisons (Google Doc) | Examples of good, better, and best thesis statements |
| Thesis Statement Peer Review (Google Doc) | Activity to work with others on thesis statements |
Historical Context | |
| Title | Description |
| Historical Context Worksheet (Google Doc) | Graphic organizer showing how to determine historical context |
| Historical Context 101 Video | Video detailing what historical context is |
Project Organization | |
| Title | Description |
| Project Organization Presentation (Google Slides) | View-only presentation on best practices for organizing project information |
| Project Organization Video | Video presentation on different project organization tips |
| Sections of a project (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Student Research Guide |
| Project Organization sentence starters (Google Doc) | Sentence starters for each project section |
| Multiple Perspectives 101 Video | Video explaining how to use multiple perspectives in a project |
Writing Project Text | |
| Title | Description |
| Write Your Text Worksheet (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Student Research Guide |
| Student Voice 101 Video | A handout and corresponding video define and explain what "student voice" means in a project |
| Student Voice 101 Handout (Google Doc) | Handout to go with Student Voice video |
| Student Voice Worksheet (Google Doc) | Worksheet helping students identify student voice |
Annotated Bibliographies | |
| Title | Description |
| Citation/Credit Handout (PDF) | Excerpt from Teacher Framework |
| Citation Guide (Google Doc) | One page handout on MLA vs. Chicago/Turabian citation styles |
| Watch video Credits, Citations, and Caption | Video overview on the difference between captions and citations rule |
| Bibliographies Made Easy (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Teacher Framework |
| Sample Annotated Bibliography (PDF) | Excerpt from Teacher Framework |
| All About Annotations (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Teacher Framework |
Process Papers | |
| Title | Description |
| Process Paper Overview (Google Doc) | Excerpt from Introducing History Day Student Guide |
| Sample Process Paper (PDF) | Excerpt from Teacher Framework |
Category Overview and Samples | |
| Title | Description |
| Category Overview Presentation (Google Slides) | View-only presentation about the elements of each project category |
| Category Overview Video | Video of Category Overview presentation |
| Sources and Evidence (Google Slides) | View-only presentation on how to use evidence in each project category |
| Sources and Evidence video series: Introduction, Documentary, Exhibit, Paper, Performance, Website | Video series breaking down how to use evidence in each category based on the presentation |
| NHD Category Overview | National History Day website overview on the different categories |
| Picking a Category (Google Doc) | Worksheet to help determine which category to pick |
| Minnesota Sample Projects | Sample projects from former Minnesota students |
| National Sample Projects | Sample projects from former National History Day winners |
Documentary | |
| Title | Description |
| Documentary Workbook (Google Doc) | Complete guide to creating a History Day Documentary |
| Documentary-specific rules (PDF) | Excerpt from NHD Rulebook |
| Documentary evaluation form (PDF) | Judge evaluation for Documentary projects |
| "Tootsie Roll" planning worksheet (Google Doc) | Blank example of organizing a Documentary and matching worksheet |
| Laura Zeccardi sample storyboard (PDF) | Sample example of completed storyboard |
| Sample Documentary Projects | Former MN student Documentary projects |
Exhibit | |
| Title | Description |
| Exhibit Workbook (Google Doc) | Complete guide to creating a History Day Exhibit |
| Exhibit-specific rules (PDF) | Excerpt from NHD Rulebook |
| Exhibit judge evaluation form (PDF) | Judge evaluation form for Exhibit projects |
| Blank and Guided Exhibit Map (Google Doc) | Blank map of Exhibit board |
| Wood-frame building instructions (PDF) | Instructions for building a wood-frame Exhibit board |
| Sample Exhibit projects | Former MN student Exhibit projects |
| Optional: Large format Exhibit boards | Website to purchase large Exhibit boards in bulk |
| Sample project progression | Progression of an Exhibit board from a school contest to National History Day |
Paper | |
| Title | Description |
| Paper Workbook (Google Doc) | Complete guide to creating a History Day Paper |
| Paper-specific rules (PDF) | Excerpt from NHD Rulebook |
| Paper evaluation form (PDF) | Judge evaluation form for Papers |
| MN Paper contest information | Off-site Paper contest overview |
| Sample Papers | Former MN student Paper examples |
Performance | |
| Title | Description |
| Performance Workbook (Google Doc) | Complete guide to creating a History Day Performance |
| Performance-specific rules (PDF) | Excerpt from NHD Rulebook |
| Performance evaluation form (PDF) | Judge evaluation form for Performances |
| Sample Performance Script (PDF) | Example of a written Performance outline and script |
| Watch "Backdrops Made Easy" Video | See an example of an easy backdrop |
| Backdrop Instructions (PDF) | Guide for building Performance backdrop |
| Sample Performances | Former MN student Performance projects |
Website | |
| Title | Description |
| Website Workbook (Google Doc) | Complete guide to creating a History Day Website |
| Website-specific rules (PDF) | Excerpt from NHD Rulebook |
| Website judge evaluation form (PDF) | Judge evaluation form for Website projects |
| Website planning pages (Google Doc) | Blank and guided worksheet for Website pages |
| Sample Websites | Former MN student examples of Websites |
| NHDWebCentral help | NHD resources for NHDWebCentral help |