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