November 7, 2017
Every year The Daughters of the American Revolution offer an opportunity for your students to participate in a writing contest while learning about our American history. The Tomoka Chapter of the DAR, in Clermont, makes this experience available to your students.
This year marks the 100th year anniversary of the end of World War 1, “the Great War”, and the signing of the Armistice Treaty in the 11 hour, of the 11 day, in the 11th month of the year 1918. This year’s essay topic is “World War 1: Remembering the War to End All Wars”. Your students are challenged to imagine themselves living during this time anywhere in the United States and to discuss how the end of the war will impact their daily life. The essay includes historically correct information and discusses the pros and cons of the changes and the imagined impact on the United States in the years to follow.
The American History writing contest is open to students in grades 5-8. Essays will be judged by grade level with winners, families, and teachers invited to attend a ceremony in February hosted by the Tomoka Chapter of DAR to celebrate their achievement. All essays must be submitted for judging by January 12, 2018. One winning essay from each grade level will be submitted for state competition.
In the following pages you will find information that will help students and teachers organize and research the political and social developments that followed the end of WW1. The official documents outlining the requirements, rules and rubrics, and some resources are provided to help your students get started on their essay.
If you, your teachers, or students have questions they may contact the Chairwoman of the American History Essay Committee, Mrs. Joanne Rhodes at or call 352-242-1744.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Joanne Rhodes
Moving Forward in Service to America!
Are you in 5th through 8th grade?
You’re invited to participate in an
Essay Contest
Topic for 2017-2018
The end of World War I was the beginning of a new age. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. Imagine you are living in 1918. State where you are living and how the end of the war will impact your daily life. Discuss the pros and cons of the changes this War introduced to society and how you imagine those changes will impact the United States in the years to come.
Title of Essay
“World War I: Remembering the War to End All Wars”
Open to Grades 5-8
Length 300-1,000 words (depending on grade level) For information contact:
DAR chapter: Tomoka Chapter Contact: Mrs. Joanne Rhodes
Phone: (352) 242- 1744 Email:
American History Essay Contest
This contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s great
history and learn about history in a new light. Each academic year, a unique essay topic is chosen and
guidelines are made available.
· The contest is open to all students in grades 5-8.
· Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of materials, interest,
originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness.
· Additional rules and guidelines can be found by contacting your local DAR chapter.
A winner will be selected from each of the four grades to advance to the state level. The state winner
from each grade will advance to the divisional level. The divisional winners will advance to the
national level where the winners are announced. All National winners will receive a certificate, medal
and a monetary reward.
For additional contest information or guidelines, please contact your local DAR chapter or visit
DAR.org.
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
AMERICAN HISTORY ESSAY CONTEST 2017–2018
(This information is for chapter and school use)
TOPIC: Topic for 2017-2018: The end of World War I was the beginning of a new age. This year marks the 100th
anniversary of the end of the Great War. Imagine you are living in 1918. State where you are living and how
the end of the war will impact your daily life. Discuss the pros and cons of the changes this War introduced to
society and how you imagine those changes will impact the United States in the years to come.
PARTICIPANTS: All grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students in a public, private, or parochial school, or those who are home
schoolers, are eligible. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin. DO
NOT SUBMIT A STUDENT PHOTOGRAPH WITH ENTRY.
LENGTH: Grade 5: 300–600 words Grades 6, 7, and 8: 600–1,000 words
FORM: Essay is to be handwritten in black ink, typed, or prepared on a computer or word processor, using black type
in a non-script font no smaller than 12 point or larger than 14 point. A limited vision student may use Braille, a
tape recorder, or very large type. A written transcript must be included, as well as a teacher’s or physician’s
letter attesting to the student’s special need.
All of the essay must be the student’s original work. Each essay must have a title page listing the following:
Title of Essay: “World War I: Remembering the War to End All Wars”
(A subtitle is permitted if written below the topic.)
Contestant’s full name and address. (street, rural route, PO Box, city, state, zip code) Note: If the school’s
regulations prohibit providing the student contact information, then school contact information may be
substituted.
Contestant’s phone number (with area code) and e-mail address, if available
Name of contestant’s school with grade level indicated
Name of sponsoring DAR chapter
Number of words in essay
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Essay must have a bibliography listing all references utilized. Internet resources, if used, should be cited
in similar format to that used for printed resources. Add the electronic address used to access the
document as supplementary information.
Any essay with information copied directly from sources without using quotes will be disqualified.
JUDGING AND
AWARDS:
Judging will be based on historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of material, interest,
originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness. Pictures, maps, drawings, graphics, and other
such additions will not be considered in judging and should not be included.
Judging at the chapter level is by three judges, including at least one non-DAR judge. Judging at other levels is
by three judges, all of whom are non-DAR members.
CHAPTER: One essay at each grade level is selected as the chapter winner and forwarded to the state
American History chair for state competition. American History essay contest chapter winner certificates and
bronze medals may be presented by the chapter if desired. In addition, chapters may present certificates of
participation to every student who participates in the essay contest. These supplies are available from The
DAR Store.
STATE: One essay at each grade level is selected as the state winner and forwarded to the appropriate national
division vice chair of American History for division competition. The state winner receives a silver medal and
state winner certificate.
DIVISION: One essay in each grade is selected as the division winner and forwarded for national competition
to the national vice chair. Division winners are presented a division winner certificate.
NATIONAL: One essay in each grade is selected as the national winner. A certificate, gold pin and monetary
award is presented to each national winner at Continental Congress in June 2018. Winning essays may appear
in official DAR communications.
Note: All essays must first be submitted to a local chapter. Essays sent directly to the national chair or vice
chair of the essay contest will not be considered.
DEADLINE: Chapter chairs should determine date for students/schools to forward essays to them to allow for judging to be
completed prior to state deadline. States with district level judging should set appropriate intermediate
deadlines. Date assigned:
NAME AND PHONE NUMBER OF CHAPTER CONTACT PERSON Mrs. Joanne Rhodes (352)242-1744
NAME OF SPONSORING DAR CHAPTER Tomoka Chapter
If additional information about the contest is needed, please contact the Office of the Historian General, NSDAR, at
1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006–5303 Phone: (202) 879–3256
Document No. AHC-1000 (Revised March 2017) (0315-100-PS)
National Information Packet 2017 • PART II
Resources DAR Topic 2017-18
"World War 1: Remembering the War to End All Wars"
Topic:
The end of World War I was the beginning of a new age. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. Imagine you are living in 1918. State where you are living and how the end of the war will impact your daily life. Discuss the pros and cons of the changes this War introduced to society and how you imagine those changes will impact the US in the years to come.
Final Due Date: January 12, 2018
Research sites for information to get you going:
Crash Course in WWI –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y59wErqg4Xg
Results of WWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tabVEbEX9Zg
History.com World War I video
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/videos/the-us-in-world-war-i
History.com World War I Legacy of the War video
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/videos/legacy-of-world-war-i?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false
PBS - The Great War: American Experience (You have to use a membership to viewthis video)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/great-war/
America's Homefront During WWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66-pY98Ltfk
YouTube Videos about WW1 Propaganda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t_Gwo3M-uc
The Atlantic - WWI Issue (Thank you for guiding me here, Tod!)
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/toc/2014/08/
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/categories/world-war-i/
Effects of WWI on America - Historama
http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/impact-ww1-on-america.htm
National Archives - WWI Centennial
https://www.archives.gov/topics/wwi#event-/timeline/item/archduke-assassination
World War 1 - Primary Sources - Docs Teach
https://www.docsteach.org/topics/wwi
WWI Propaganda Slides
https://www.slideshare.net/history_teacher25/us-wwi-propaganda
Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/homefront/resources.html
https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/wwi/wwi.html
Lots of links and information at the Library of Congress site...
Find Primary Sources for your research
http://www.shsulibraryguides.org/c.php?g=154845&p=1016068
Women in War
https://www.nwhm.org/articles/lady-hell-cats-women-marines-world-war-i
Effects of WWI on America
http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/impact-ww1-on-america.htm
http://www.markedbyteachers.com/as-and-a-level/history/in-what-ways-did-world-war-one-impact-american-society-1.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-war-i-the-war-that-changed-everything-1403300393
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/08/how-the-great-war-shaped-the-world/373468/
Great article on effects of war - and on children
http://www.pbs.org/thewar/at_home_family.htm
How War Changed the roleof Women in America
http://teachersinstitute.yale.edu/curriculum/units/2002/3/02.03.09.x.html
The Week.com - The Women of World War 1
http://theweek.com/captured/690302/women-world-war
You are encouraged to consider asking yourself a few questions for preplanning:
· Where are you “living”?
· Have you or anyone in your “family” been directly involved in the Great War or the War Efforts on the home front?
· Did anything (an event of the war, loss of finances, women taking on jobs, loss of property, new industry, having to move, propaganda, etc.) during the war impact your daily life?
· What were some positive changes that happened in America because of the Great War?
· What were some negative changes that happened in America because of the Great War?
· Do you think any of these changes will impact America, or the world, in years to come?
· What are your plans moving forward from 1918?
Writing the Bibliography can be tricky... students need to retain information from the resources they use to take notes. Then, they can format their bibliographies.
http://www.aresearchguide.com/12biblio.html
http://qofp.com/links_bio.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/homework/t8biblio.html
There are a lot more pages out there to help with Bibliographies, but these should get you started and keep you on track. Here are some Bibliography Generators - put your information into it and they will generate your format:
•Citation Machine:
http://www.citationmachine.net/mla/cite-a-book
•BibMe:
http://www.bibme.org/
•EasyBib
http://www.easybib.com/
Plagiarism Scavenger Hunt
http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/jenniferharris2/502/scavenger.html
Check for Plagiarism: (this is a paid site, but you can search Google for another option)
https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism?q=plagiarism&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search&utm_term=plagiarism&matchtype=p
2017 – 2018 AMERICAN HISTORY ESSAY CONTEST
Reading Resources
“World War I: Remembering the War to End All Wars”
For younger students:
Leckie, Robert. The Story of World War I. Washington: Library of Congress, 1968.
Murphy, Jim. Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting. New York: Scholastic
Press, 2009.
Osborne, Linda Barrett. Come on in, America : the United States in World War I. New
York: Abrams Books for Young Readers: 2017.
For older students:
Tucker, Spencer and Roberts, Priscilla Mary. National World War I: a student
encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Calif., ABC-CLIO: 2006.
Heyman, Neil M. World War I. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997.
Neiberg, Michael S. The World War I reader: [primary and secondary sources]. New
York: New York University Press: 2007.
7/15/2017
Sample for Title Page:
“World War 1: Remembering the War to End All Wars”
Name
Address
city, state zip code
Phone
school name
Grade ____
Tomoka Chapter of NSDAR
______words
Rubric for DAR Essay
CategoryTitle Page
· Title of Topic – “World War I: Remembering the War to End All Wars”
· Contestant’s full name, address, phone, email
· Contestant’s Grade level
· Name of sponsoring DAR Chapter
· Number of words in essay (600-1000)
Bibliography
· At least 3 Sources
· Sources are formatted correctly
Essay
Historical and geographic accuracy (everything is reasonable) - Includes where you are livingStayed on topic - the student describes how the end of the war will impact their daily life
Includes pros and cons of the changes the Great War introduced to society
Organization of essay (beginning, middle, end)
Spelling and punctuation – including proper dialogue usage
Correct grammar throughout (verb tenses the same)
The student discusses how they imagine those changes will impact the US in years to come
*** Remember this paper is taking place AFTER THE WAR HAS ENDED! You are discussing changes the war brought after it has ENDED.
All Essays 600-1000 words
Times New Roman font 12-14, or handwritten in black ink
DAR Essay Contest 2017, 2017, mstmartin.educatorpages.com/pages/dar-essay-contest-2015.
Updated: 2017-09-27 | Build a Teacher Website at EducatorPages.com | Contact EducatorPages.com