NHD 2008...The Adventure Begins

NHD is approaching...now what?! With much anticipation and curiosity, 9th graders this week were introduced to the all-encompassing experience that is NHD. For quite some time, students have listened to hearsay and rumors about NHD and wondered just what will it mean for them-- now this week we have begun deconstructing the myths and hype through classroom discussions, presentations and interviews with the 10th grade students. The tenth grade-ninth grade conferences were a great way to begin our NHD preparation. A big thanks to the tenth grade students who were were incredibly helpful in sharing their insights and recommendations for the 9th graders. Hopefully through this experience of reflecting on NHD 2007, 9th grade students will develop a better understanding of the project as a whole and maybe even get inspiration for their own topics.

Although identifying a topic can seem overwhelming, think about subjects you are interested in that you may want to learn more about. This project should be rewarding as well as challenging, so it's important that student select a topic you would want to spend weeks researching and writing about. The theme of Conflict and Compromise abounds with interesting possibilities, from war to religion to immigration and civil rights. Also, consider the rich history of Philadelphia and your neighborhood; there are many fascinating historical topics and events just waiting to be discovered.

Also, think about all the amazing skills you will develop through NHD. Conducting research, analyzing primary sources, writing and presenting effectively are all important skills that will help you in your high school careers (and certainly in college) and whereever life may take you. I tend to compare conducting research to going on a scavenger hunt. You have an idea of what you'd like to find, but the process takes you through many steps and discoveries and not always ends up as anticipated. There is often frustration, but also the joy of the unknown and unexpected. The process is just as important as the outcome.

Now that NHD preparation has begun, I hope you are excited and proud to be part of one of the only schools in the world that has full student participation in National History Day. I think that as a emerging ConHigh tradition, NHD will be a major highlight of our school year.

Happy Researching!

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello Class of 2011,

Welcome to my first ever blog!!! As a new teacher at CHS, it has been especially fun to experience all the many "firsts" of the school year together with you! I have enjoyed checking out your awesome blogs about your experiences at CHS and now I feel honored to create a virtual classroom community with you.

I envision this blog as a chance to weigh in on topics discussed in class as well as recent events at school. Just this week, there have been many important things going on that are worth commenting on. Monday, we began our latest course Historiography, with the question what is history? We have attempted to define history through symbolic/milestone objects that represent important events in our lives. Tuesday, students brought objects to class for analysis by their peers. Wednesday, we began presenting our objects, and then afterschool, we celebrated the season with our first after school dance! Yesterday, we shared the amazing experience of traveling to our nation's capital for a special tour of the Supreme Court, Capitol Hill and the National Archives. As a class, you were an incredibly informed, engaged and professional group for what was one of the most important events of the school year. Today, members of students and faculty senate proceeded over the first case of the school's history and debated the constitutionality of our second school elections.

What was your favorite part of the week?