Minnesota Judge Orienation offered at State History Day in 2010.

1. History Day in Minnesota Judge’s Orientation

2. Thank you! Thank you for answering the call to judging! 30,000 students + 12 regional events + 1 state event = hundreds of volunteers!

4. Junior (6-8 grade)

5. Senior (9-12 grade)

6. Annual Theme:Innovation in History: Impact and Change

7. The Contest School Events: 30,000 students Take place in individual schools, organized by a lead teacher or coordinator—occur in February or March Regional Events: 4,500 students Defined by ECSU boundaries, contests occur throughout the month of March State Event: 1,200 students University of Minnesota, Twin Cities May 1, 2010 National Event: 55 students Univ. of MD, College Park June 13-17, 2010

8. Evaluation Assessing History Day Entries

9. Judge Ratings History Day evaluates entries using the relative terms of: “Good” “Excellent” “Superior” The goal is to focus on the relative merits or areas for improvement in each entry. In your set of evaluated projects, focus on ranking them against one another based on the provided criteria.

10. Judging Criteria: Historical Quality

11. Central Argument: The Thesis Be wary of “if not for this, than that” analysis. Are students giving their topic too much credit? Have students supported their claims with evidence? 2009 Individual in History Example

13. A connection to the annual theme

14. A clear argument that can be supported with evidence

17. Inventions

18. Methods

19. Ideas

20. Consider innovative for its place and time

21. Peaceful protest: new places, new eras

23. Judging Criteria: Rule Compliance Exhibits 500 student-composed word limit 6’ tall, 40” wide, 30” deep Performances 10 minutes in length Documentaries 10 minutes in length

24. That Empty Column Through thoughtful comments you can: Provide positive, but critical evaluation of each entry Suggest improvements for future participation or other research projects Support the students’ interest and encourage future research and study [something positive] You may want to… Did you consider… Other issues important to this topic are... …would strengthen your bibliography. …might help support your thesis. [something positive]

25. Final Checklist Does the student’s work demonstrate historical research and scholarship? Does the student present an argument about their stated connection to the theme “Innovation in History: Impact and Change” (thesis)? (Remember, the student’s views may differ from your own, consider the evidence they have provided rather than their beliefs) Is the student communicating his or her ideas in an organized and effective way? Has this student done careful and reasoned work?

26. Judging Process History Day’s Contest Logistics

27. Finding your Judging Location Your judging location is noted at the top, left of your judging schedule next to your team number. CMU: Coffman Memorial Union Ford, Vincent, Murphy, and Kolthoff are located on the Northrop Mall. Exit CMU on the 1st floor, proceed over the Washington Ave. pedestrian bridge

29. Brief students on the judging process to set them at ease

30. Request copies of the student’s Process Paper and Bibliography

32. Note any questions you might have about their process or sources

34. Exhibit Judges: Read the text of the display (students should not give you an oral presentation)

35. Performance and Documentary Judges: Give students the go-ahead to begin their introduction and presentation.

36. Performance and Documentary Judges: DO NOT start early

39. About their topic

40. About their History Day journey

41. Clarification from the content or paperwork

42. Questions might include:

43. How did you choose your topic?

44. Which of your sources was most helpful?

45. What is the most interesting thing you learned?

46. What was the most challenging aspect of your History Day project and research?

47. Try to end the conversation with:

48. Is there anything else you would like to tell us that we haven’t thought to ask?

49. Do NOT use this time to:

50. Provide Feedback

51. Lecture the student about their topic

53. Avoid discussing projects in judging areas where students, teachers, and parents eagerly await your opinions

55. Complete the provided Results Form (Order matters!)

56. Submit the Results Form to State History Day staff

58. Comments do not need to be identical, but should not be contradictory

60. Completed Comment Forms

61. Student Bibliographies

63. Our Thanks Your judge ribbon will earn you: Food Clothing Shelter Take your judge ribbon to our concession stand (ground level) and trade it in for a mug or T-shirt

64. HAVE FUN!