Speed Topic-ing and Student Passions

This week's National History Day work centered around staff /guest collaboration and giving students the opportunity to explore their interests.

The reason I first dove into National History Day projects three years ago was because of the success my students found when I introduced Genius Hour into an elective class I used to teach. Genius Hour centers around students researching subjects that interest them and sharing their knowledge with the world. I spent the summer of 2016 planning how to replicate that in my US History classes when, unbeknownst to me, it already existed. I stumbled upon the National History Day website and the rest is history (pun intended).

While I am tremendously proud of my NHD work with my students I feel that we've moved away from making these historical passion projects. This year I'm emphasizing the concept that my students should determine their interests first, then relate the history to their passion. 

Tuesday's Speed Topic-ing Activity helped students to do just that.

Mrs. Chatel, our Media Specialist, and I have been planning this lesson for months now. She and I decided upon twenty-two different topics and she went to work pulling books from the shelves. The books were spread out throughout the Media Center. Student Historians sat four to a table at a table of their choosing and had 4-5 minutes to explore those resources. Students had 2 minutes to complete a T Chart of the Triumphs and Tragedies of the topics they researched. (If they didn't know one or the other they left it blank.) After the writing portion had ended they moved to another table to start over.  Topics such as athletes, inventors and innovators, artists and architects, music, and fashion were interspersed with traditional subjects such as the Civil War and World War I. 

Ms. Bradfield from the Michigan Historical Society was on hand to help us strengthen our understanding of the theme and to offer suggestions and insights to students. She is an amazing resource and we're fortunate to have her knowledge and expertise. 

Office Form survey results confirmed that the day was a success and that student passions are the guiding motivator in topic selection this year. Students let us know that they liked the format, in fact, the biggest drawback to the event was that it was too short! (I think we should attempt to make it one and a half class periods next year, with opportunities for reflection and deeper topic study at the end of the second day.) Reflection feedback also centered on a few overlooked topics--the Great Lakes was mentioned by many and a fantastic reminder that other forms of Science should be included next year besides the Medicine and technology fields we had this year. Aviation and video gaming were also mentioned in the survey.

This week brought my Student Historians closer to the true purpose of NHD work--providing the opportunity to pursue their passions.