History Day
Sonoma County gives students grades 4-12 the opportunity to research a historical topic of interest and create a project that relates to the annual National History Day theme. Students participate in History Day by creating a project individually or in groups of two to five students.
Students in grades 4 and 5 create posters on their topics. Participants at the junior level (grades 6, 7, 8) and senior level (grades 9-12) can choose to create a paper, documentary, exhibit, website, or performance. The top three projects in each category (individual and group) from each participating school advance to the county competition where students present their projects to judges. The top two students in each category represent Sonoma County in the state contest, held in May each year.
This Year’s Event
History Day, Sonoma County Competition
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sonoma Academy, 2500 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa
Contact: Whitney Olson, Director, smowbo@sbcglobal.net
History Day: How To Do It
This is a practical, step-by-step, fun workshop on History Day and how to integrate the process into an already busy curriculum. Jeff Tobes, retired teacher with 40 years of classroom experience, will provide resources and information on how his students have won the privilege of competing at the state and national event.
History Day: How To Do It | August 28, 2011 | Registration Form (pdf)
Stipends and materials: A $500 stipend will be awarded to each teacher (per school) who fully participates. Call for details. Information at the workshop will link History Day to the California Content Standards; highlight the use of newspapers, periodicals, and websites; and explore research techniques. Participants will receive handouts and a DVD to support their History Day participation.
Participating teachers can also earn Extended Education Credit through Sonoma State University’s Excel Program. For information, contact Jeff Tobes at (707) 888-1670 or jefftobes@hotmail.com.