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

 

Project framework and introduction

These tools can help you introduce students to History Day.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Watch video History Day Promo on Vimeo3 minute program video overviewVideo
Teacher FrameworkComplete guide to History Day for teachersGoogle Doc
Master Teacher NetworkVeteran teachers share their project resourcesWebpage
NHD Contest Rulebook Contest rulebook outlining requirements for all levels of programPDF
Summary of Rulebook changesSummary of changes effective as of July 2021PDF
Watch Exploring NHD for Students11 minute introduction to History Day program for studentsVideo
Introducing History Day Student Guide 2025Student handbook covering all aspects of the programGoogle Doc   
Introducing History Day Student Guide 2025 - SpanishSpanish translation of the student handbook covering all aspects of the programGoogle Doc
Goal Setting and Progress TrackingWorksheet for tracking History Day project progressGoogle Doc
EL Curriculum GuideText set resources that break down the research process for English Language LearnersWebpage

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.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Parent/Guardian Communication IdeasIdeas for what information to share with parent/guardiansGoogle Doc
Parent Letters (Multiple Languages)Pre-drafted letters to send directly to parentsPDF

Contracts and working in a group

Help students determine the best way for them to work on History Day - individually or as a group.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Working in a Group ReflectionWorksheet excerpt from Teacher FrameworkGoogle Doc
Group Contract SampleWorksheet excerpt from Teacher FrameworkGoogle Doc
Ship on the SeaWorksheet excerpt from Teacher FrameworkGoogle Doc
Group Roles and GoalsGroup work worksheetGoogle Doc

Topic selection

These are resources that may help students determine the best topic for their project.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Topic Narrowing PresentationGoogle presentation on strategies for selecting a narrow topicGoogle Slides
Topic Narrowing Presentation VideoVideo describing topic narrowing strategiesVideo
Topic Narrowing FunnelExcerpt from Introducing History Day Student GuideGoogle Doc
Selecting a Topic OverviewExcerpt from Introducing History Day Student GuideGoogle Doc
Topic Exploration PresentationGoogle Presentation on brainstorming topic ideasGoogle Slides
Picking a Topic Weebly!Interactive website with topic ideasWebpage
MN Library GuidesMN-based topic ideas and research resourcesWebpage
Novice Topic ListStudent-friendly topics, organized by categoryPDF
What Makes a Good Topic?Worksheet to help students pick topicsGoogle Doc
Topic and Theme Exploration Worksheet to think about topic and its connection to the themeGoogle Doc

Theme

Resources for this year's theme.

TitleDescriptionFormat
MN Theme SheetOne page overview on the theme from Minnesota History DayPDF
MN Theme Sheet (Spanish) Spanish translation of the one page overview of the theme from Minnesota History DayPDF
MN Theme Sheet "Mini"Abbreviated version of the one page overview on the theme from Minnesota History DayPDF
MN Theme Presentation VideoVideo presentation of this year's theme PowerPointVideo
MN Theme PowerPointRequest for PowerPoint slides of MN Theme PresentationGoogle Form
Theme Guided QuestionsGuided questions to follow along with MN theme sheetGoogle Doc
NHD Theme SheetTheme sheet overview from National History DayPDF
NHD Theme BookTheme resources from National History DayPDF
NHD Theme VideoTheme video from National History DayVideo
Theme Graphic Organizer Worksheet to work on discovering a topic and identifying the theme connectionGoogle Doc

Research tools

Helpful resources as students begin researching their topic.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Research Questions 101 PresentationPowerPoint presentation on understanding research questions and pre-researchGoogle Slides
Research Questions 101 Video Video about how to get started on developing research questionsVideo
Research Questions 101 ChecklistChecklist handout to understand research questionsGoogle Doc
Research Questions Project HandoutHandout to go along with Research Questions 101 videoGoogle Doc
Research Questions Brainstorming GuideHandout to go along with Research Questions 101 VideoGoogle Doc
National Archives Source Analysis WorksheetsSource activity from the National ArchivesWebpage
Research QuestionsExcerpt from Introducing History Day Student GuideGoogle Doc
Thinking Like an Historian ChartChart to brainstorm different ways to think about your topicPDF
Research QuestionsWorksheet with questions to think about while starting researchGoogle Doc
Primary and Secondary Source BrainstormExcerpt from Student Research GuideGoogle Doc
Student Research Workbook 2025 (Complete)Workbook that can guide students through the History Day research processGoogle Doc
Library of Congress Written Analysis WorksheetsWorksheets that help determine the best parts of a resourcePDF   
PDF (Novice level)
Illustration and Media BrainstormExcerpt from Student Research GuideGoogle Doc
Watch video Primary vs. Secondary Sources on YouTubeVideo on the differences between primary and secondary sourcesVideo
Watch video Using InterLibrary Loan on VimeoVideo on how InterLibrary Loan worksVideo
Watch video Using Wilson Library on YouTubeVideo on navigating Wilson Library at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campusVideo
Research Tracking TemplateWorksheet to track resourcesGoogle Doc
NHD and AI GuidanceHandout on using AI directly from National History DayPDF

Research org and notetaking

Materials that students may use to keep track of their research and notes.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Index Cards OverviewExcerpt from Student Research WorkbookPDF
Cornell Notes Overview and Work PagesExcerpt from Student Research WorkbookPDF
Source Cards WorksheetsExcerpt from Student Research WorkbookPDF

Thesis statements

Resources available about learning what thesis statements are and how to write one.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Original Thesis Statement WorksheetOriginal thesis statement worksheet from Teacher FrameworkGoogle Doc
Shortened Thesis Statement WorksheetExcerpt from Teacher FrameworkGoogle Doc
Mad Libs Thesis StatementFill-in-the blank thesis statement worksheetGoogle Doc
Thesis Statement PresentationView-only version of the thesis statement presentationGoogle Slides
Thesis Statement Presentation VideoVideo presentation of the Thesis Statement presentationVideo
Thesis ComparisonsExamples of good, better, and best thesis statementsGoogle Doc
Thesis Statement Peer ReviewActivity to work with others on thesis statementsGoogle Doc

Historical context

Materials to helps students determine the scope of their project.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Historical Context WorksheetGraphic organizer showing how to determine historical contextGoogle Doc
Historical Context 101 VideoVideo detailing what historical context isVideo

Project organization

Mapping out a History Day project, the best ways to organize information.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Project Organization Presentation (Google Slides) View-only presentation on best practices for organizing project informationGoogle Doc
Project Organization VideoVideo presentation on different project organization tipsVideo
Sections of a projectExcerpt from Student Research GuideGoogle Doc
Project Organization sentence startersSentence starters for each project sectionGoogle Doc
Multiple Perspectives 101 VideoVideo explaining how to use multiple perspectives in a projectVideo

Writing project text

Teaching students how to turn their notes into text.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Write Your Text WorksheetExcerpt from Student Research GuideGoogle Doc
Student Voice 101 VideoA handout and corresponding video define and explain what "student voice" means in a projectVideo
Student Voice 101 HandoutHandout to go with Student Voice video Google Doc
Student Voice WorksheetWorksheet helping students identify student voiceGoogle Doc

Annotated bibliographies

History Day students may use MLA or Chicago citation styles. All categories are required to include an annotated bibliography.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Citation/Credit HandoutExcerpt from Teacher FrameworkPDF
Citation GuideOne page handout on MLA vs. Chicago/Turabian citation stylesGoogle Doc
Watch video Credits, Citations, and CaptionVideo overview on the difference between captions and citations ruleVideo
Bibliographies Made EasyExcerpt from Teacher FrameworkGoogle Doc
Sample Annotated Bibliography Excerpt from Teacher FrameworkPDF
All About AnnotationsExcerpt from Teacher FrameworkGoogle Doc

Process papers

Process Papers are required for all categories and must contain the same elements.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Process Paper OverviewExcerpt from Introducing History Day Student GuideGoogle Doc
Sample Process PaperExcerpt from Teacher FrameworkPDF

Category overview and samples

Learn about each category and view sample projects.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Category Overview PresentationView-only presentation about the elements of each project categoryGoogle Slides
Category Overview VideoVideo of Category Overview presentationVideo
Sources and EvidenceView-only presentation on how to use evidence in each project categoryGoogle Slides
Sources and Evidence video seriesVideo series breaking down how to use evidence in each category based on the presentationIntroduction, Documentary, Exhibit, Paper, Performance, Website
NHD Category OverviewNational History Day website overview on the different categoriesWebpage
Picking a CategoryWorksheet to help determine which category to pickGoogle Doc
Minnesota Sample Projects Sample projects from former Minnesota studentsWebpage
National Sample ProjectsSample projects from former National History Day winnersWebpage

Documentary

Materials for students creating History Day Documentaries.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Documentary WorkbookComplete guide to creating a History Day DocumentaryGoogle Doc
Documentary-specific rulesExcerpt from NHD RulebookPDF
Documentary evaluation formJudge evaluation for Documentary projectsPDF
"Tootsie Roll" planning worksheetBlank example of organizing a Documentary and matching worksheetGoogle Doc
Laura Zeccardi sample storyboardSample example of completed storyboardPDF
Sample Documentary ProjectsFormer MN student Documentary projectsWebpage

Exhibit

Materials for students creating History Day Exhibit Boards.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Exhibit WorkbookComplete guide to creating a History Day ExhibitGoogle Doc
Exhibit-specific rulesExcerpt from NHD RulebookPDF
Exhibit judge evaluation formJudge evaluation form for Exhibit projectsPDF
Blank and Guided Exhibit MapBlank map of Exhibit boardGoogle Doc
Wood-frame building instructionsInstructions for building a wood-frame Exhibit board PDF
Sample Exhibit projects Former MN student Exhibit projectsWebpage
Optional: Large format Exhibit boardsWebsite to purchase large Exhibit boards in bulkWebpage
Sample project progressionProgression of an Exhibit board from a school contest to National History DayWebpage

Paper

Materials for students writing History Day Papers.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Paper WorkbookComplete guide to creating a History Day PaperGoogle Doc
Paper-specific rules (PDF)Excerpt from NHD RulebookPDF
Paper evaluation form (PDF)Judge evaluation form for PapersPDF
MN Paper contest informationOff-site Paper contest overviewWebpage
Sample PapersFormer MN student Paper examplesWebpage

Performance

Materials for students creating History Day Performances.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Performance WorkbookComplete guide to creating a History Day PerformanceGoogle Doc
Performance-specific rulesExcerpt from NHD Rulebook PDF
Performance evaluation formJudge evaluation form for PerformancesPDF
Sample Performance ScriptExample of a written Performance outline and scriptPDF
Watch "Backdrops Made Easy" VideoSee an example of an easy backdropVideo
Backdrop InstructionsGuide for building Performance backdropPDF
Sample PerformancesFormer MN student Performance projectsWebpage

Website

Materials for students creating History Day Websites.

TitleDescriptionFormat
Website WorkbookComplete guide to creating a History Day WebsiteGoogle Doc
Website-specific rulesExcerpt from NHD RulebookPDF
Website judge evaluation formJudge evaluation form for Website projectsPDF
Website planning pagesBlank and guided worksheet for Website pagesGoogle Doc
Sample WebsitesFormer MN student examples of WebsitesWebpage
NHDWebCentral helpNHD resources for NHDWebCentral helpWebpage