On Saturday, March 8, nearly 360 students will use "live" dramatic performances, artistic displays, and vivid documentaries, to celebrate history at the 2014 Sacramento County History Day.
Students will present history-based exhibits, 2-dimensional posters, research papers, dramatic performances, and interactive websites. This year's theme is "Rights and Responsibilities in History."
At each competition level, student projects are evaluated by a team of community members, as well as volunteers from the history and education fields. Competition divisions include Elementary (grades 4-5), Junior (grades 6-8), and Senior (grades 9-12). Qualifiers move on to the NHD—CA State Competition taking place April 24–27 in Riverside, CA.
The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), along with the Center for Sacramento History and a team of dedicated volunteers, hosts Sacramento County History Day. The local event is associated with National History Day, a year-long educational program that encourages elementary, middle, and high school students to explore local, state, national, and world history.
In addition to teaching the relevance and importance of history for all grade levels and ages, the program helps students develop problem-solving skills, oral and written communication, critical thinking and presentation skills that are directly tied to the Common Core State Standards. Students also gain self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of responsibility for and involvement in the democratic process.