National History Day

[ici]

You'll have to make a decision about private music lessons if he just doesn't have time for everything. I would follow his wishes -- if he wants to keep up the lessons, all the better! As to Chinese, keep at that with him. He has a unique opportunity to be bilingual if you speak another language at home. Yes, it helps train his ear for a third language. And I think music helps, too. My son is almost always listening to music -- all kinds. He has started listening to opera! Me, I prefer my quiet ....

[cottontree]

Well, time is always the problem. We just need to play by ear from now on. Thanks for the advices.

By the way, I asked my son what will he write if he is given a topic "the turniing point" using WWII. He immediately gave me some stories which I have no ideas what they are.

I asked him why did he like WWII. He said because of all the weapons used, such as tank,etc. He also likes the battles happened in Mediaeval time because of the castle, swords,etc.

He does not like civis wars because the weapons used were small and not powerful.

Now, I finally understand the base of his interest in all those "famous battles/wars" is based on the type of weapons. No wonder he likes marshal arts and fencing but not the mainstreams sports.

[cobrat]

^ ^

Funny, I happen to be a WWII buff as well...except my interests tends to lean a bit more on the East Asian/Pacific side. It's also made more interesting by the fact I have several older relatives who old enough to remember the Second Sino-Japanese War/WWII in China.

Also, had an uncle who despite being the family dark sheep, graduated from Whampoa Military academy and died fighting the Japanese during the war.

[cottontree]

So, do you asked your "old" relatives about their memories of WWII?

Do they know something that are NOT docuemented in public publications?

Were you around when the news about your uncle's death came about? It must be a sad moment.

There are lots of stories between Japan and China during the WWII. I should find out more for my son to learn and take him to China one day to revisit those famous cities.

I am not ineterested in history myself. but I think I will get involved more now since he likes WWII.

Thanks for sharing.

[cobrat]

So, do you asked your "old" relatives about their memories of WWII.?

Oh, yes. And my relatives...including parents were more than happy to share.

Do they know something that are NOT docuemented in public publications?

What about specifically?

If we're talking from the PRC....I've found even they have acknowledged the KMT army had a much larger role in fighting the Japanese from visiting one of their war history museums than their prior Maoist historiography would imply.

If we're talking from bulk of US historiography on war responsibility, recent books like Herbert Bix's "Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan" and recently uncovered documents have revealed that contrary to US popular wisdom, Hirohito actually had a far more active role and was privy to nearly every aspect of Imperial Japanese military operations/Imperial policies in occupied territories than that historiography would imply....he was no mere figurehead.

Were you around when the news about your uncle's death came about? It must be a sad moment.

He died 30+ years before my birth. I'm in my 30s.

There are lots of stories between Japan and China during the WWII. I should find out more for my son to learn and take him to China one day to revisit those famous cities.

I am not ineterested in history myself. but I think I will get involved more now since he likes WWII.

Thanks for sharing.

No problem. Very fascinating period in history. Moreover, I'd also strongly encourage him to learn about the US Civil War. It would go a long way into helping him not only understand how the US developed as a nation, but also how its effects still reverberate down to the present in many ways.

[cottontree]

The problem is that I don't know how to find books for him.

Should I just go ahead using adult books?

Can you recommend some books (now you know his interested areas) so I can get him read in a more formal way?

When I go to bookstore and library to get help, they ask me his age and they don't know what kind of books for his age because they are either too simple or too specific for him.

I may ask the wrong perple....

[cottontree]

My son's writing skills need to be improved. He showed problem on 5th grade, Now, his LA teacher also sees the problems.

I guess we need to get his writing improved first before he can do all those research paper.

but I don't know how to help his writing. Should I find writing tutor?

I sent an email to his LA teacher to ask whether he can use the theme of NHD as a way to get him read more and to write. I will ask whether his SS teacher can help.

I don't mean to get him into contest this year. but using this an way to get him read more in depth instead picking up books in library randomly without any purpose.

He is in a science magnet MS. He will get three HS science credits when he finishes MS. They also ask students to do science fair project. He is busy enough in school with violin, boy scout and fencing on the site. Adding NDS research may be too much for him.

I think improving his writine skills now and read more history documents will help his SAT in the future.

[cobrat]

^ ^

I personally am of the opinion that an 11 year old with a strong interest in history is ready to read adult history books as I was already doing that myself at that age.

Keep in mind that the studying of wars in history can be quite a grim business depending on parts and only you know your son's maturity level and ability to deal with that. Especially if you're dealing with wartime atrocities.

Should I find writing tutor?

Yes. If he's having writing problems now, best to solve this now before he finds himself struggling in HS or worse, college.

Also encourage him to read widely....history, literature, etc so he can see examples of good writing and encourage him to write creatively.

[cottontree]

I just find a list of past themes of NHD. I have no ideas how to write them if I am a student. I even do not know how to find those informaiton for my son to read.

I think I am going to have lots of homework to do before I put him on this path. and I have no ideas how to start either.

I think this NHD makes me realize that my son still has a long way to go. Luckily I found this program now so I can begin to prepare for it.

Thanks ALL for shareing the ideas. I bet I will come back later with lots of questions.....:-)

[sacchi]

There are NHD categories other than writing papers, such as documentaries or performances, although they still do require writing of a script.

If you go to Youtube and search for NHD or National History Day, you can find a lot of example documentaries that students have posted.

[StevenLees]

I do not believe that participating in the NHD contest will help your son when it comes time to apply to college. It is simply a contest, not based on academic achievment or even talent, and quite frankly judging at all levels, especially at the National level, is often biased toward certain schools and sometimes questionable. Going to Nationals is not an educational experience, more like a non-educational field trip. I'm not saying it is without value but in the big picture, it will not help with college. PS- NHD posted this thread on their FB page so expect some comments to try to get them good publicity.

Your son is only in 6th grade, may I suggest letting him be a kid while he still can and not pushing him so hard? You probably heard about that "Dragon Mom" book last year? It sounds like you are pushing him a bit, he's only a child once.

[PippaKarenina]

You should definitely encourage your son to join the NHD program. I competed at nationals this year and completely enjoyed it. My little sister also competed in History Day when she was in 6th grade and also enjoyed the experience.

I'm a big history fan which made the whole research process a lot easier to do. You can do the projects either in groups or individual and there's also a lot of different categories to choose from.

Also, on StevenLees bias argument. I'll have to disagree with that. I come from a unknown school that's located in a rural area. It's not private, it doesn't offer a lot of APs, and most of the people there are middle class. I think if a person is motivated enough they can qualify for nationals and place. I worked on my project for months in order to qualify. I'm only involved in two clubs at school, I don't have a private tutor, English is my second language, and I haven't even taken six AP courses despite being a junior, yet I still placed in the top ten.

History is something I'm passionate about. I absolutely adore it. When I'm passionate about something I'm willing to take the time and effort to do a good job. NHD taught me to be more confident in my skills, to do better research, and helped me improve my formal writing abilities. All in all, I think the experience was worth it.

[MommaJ]

Cottontree, your posts make me sad. Having read your other threads on singing and fencing, I think you need to stop evaluating every activity for your son in terms of how it may or may not affect admission to college. It's absurd to be thinking about college admission for an 11 year old who, I assure you, will be a different person with different interests by the time he's 16. The choice of his activities should be made on the basis of what interests him, not what college it might get him into someday. The very fact that you are posting on College Confidential about a kid this age tells me that you have your priorities sadly askew. For at least the next three years, abandon CC, stop thinking about college, and don't discuss college with your son. Let him enjoy his childhood and support his interests regardless of whether colleges will give darn about them. At that age my son was crazed over Star Wars figurines. I didn't post on CC to find out if this was a worthy endeavor for the college bound. It was more important than that--it was fun.

[eireann]

History Day was my favorite thing in middle school. My friends and I spent most of the year working on and traveled to nationals together in eighth grade and had so much fun together. It's seriously my favorite middle school memory.

That said, I don't think it played into college admissions. In my area, it wasn't nearly as much of a promoted thing through school in high school and we stopped doing it. If you did well in high school, I imagine that it would play into college admissions. Either way, it's a great way to have fun, learn research schools, learn about periods of history and different ways of doing projects, and do a long-term intensive project.

[StevenLees]

To the youngster who commented about the NHD judging, I'm glad you had a good time, but, unfortunately the judges, even at National's, are often untrained volunteers who are free to show bias to anyone they choose to, it is a subjective process with little oversight, not black and white like something like the SAT's, it is purely a contest and luck as to who your judges are can play as much a part in winning as talent or skill. But, that being said, it is still fun and valuable, just not likely something colleges give much consideration to.

And, MommaJ, I completely agree, let a child be a child while they can, college should not be a major consideration in the daily activities of an 11 year old who just started 6th grade.....