Wolf Point Adds History Day Program
Showcase On Feb. 3
Using a different avenue to encourage learning, the Wolf Point School District is offering National History Day participation starting this year.
The National History Day program aims to improve the teaching and learning of history. Regional, state and national competitions are offered for 6-12 grade students.
Wolf Point Junior High Principal Tara Thomas was first introduced to the program when she was working at a small school district many years ago. That school had a tradition of faring well at national events, and Thomas helped judged at the state level.
She is hopeful that Wolf Point’s students can achieve similar success and that they learn quite a bit through the program.
“It really hits all the Montana education standards,” Thomas said. “It’s good since some of the kids involved are not always engaged in the school. They find a topic they are into.”
Wolf Point’s program this year is for all the seventh-grade students and high school juniors.
The school will host its National History Day showcase from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3. A meal will be served. There will be cash prizes for best project ($75 first and $50 second), people’s choice ($25), best indigenous themed projects ($100 first and $50 second) and best project exemplifying freedom ($25). Sponsors for the awards are Opportunity Bank and the Wolf Point School District’s JOM (Johnson-O’Malley) committee.
Winners will advance to the regional competition in Dickinson, N.D., on March 17.
Thomas explains students have the choice of different categories such as writing a paper, creating a poster board or making a multi-media project.
Aniya Smoker, a sophomore at Wolf Point High School, is a strong proponent of the program. As an eighth-grader at Frontier School, Smoker placed in the top 30 percent nationally. She earned first place at regionals and then, at the state meet, qualified for the national event held in Washington, D.C. Her topic was “Buffalo Slaughter: Build up and effects on Native Americans.”
Smoker said of the program, “I would 100 percent recommend it. It taught me a lot.”
Her advice to students includes getting the research out of the way first and then trying to keep your sources on separate sheets.
“They don’t just place you on your board but also your presentation,” Smoker explained.
National History Day is a nationally recognized academic enrichment program that promotes the study of history in schools. Modeled after science fairs, it encourages students to take a creative approach to studying history, fostering critical thinking and research skills.
