The Language Arts/Humanities Block offers Fresno County students a number of hands-on opportunities to demonstrate their talents and abilities in History/Social Science.

Constitution Day-September 17
"Pursuant to legislation passed by Congress, educational institutions receiving Federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year."

On September 17, 1787, 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final session after meeting together for 4 months.  The delegates gathered almost daily in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.  Their efforts resulted in our current Constitution.  The youngest signer of the Constitution was Jonathan Dayton from New Jersey who was 26 and the oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin, who was 81.  Six Signers of the Constitution had also signed the Declaration of Independence, 11 years earlier.  Two signers of the Constitution - George Washington and James Madison - became presidents.  The U.S. Constitution is one of the most influential legal documents in existence.  Since its creation some two hundred years ago, over one hundred countries around the world have used it as a model of their own.

CONTACTS
Lisa Benham (559) 265-3073, lbenham@fcoe.org 

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS
Constitution Day Civic Dialogue Teachers Guide (Resources)(pdf)

Constitution Day:  A Civic Dialogue DVD
Constitution Day:  A Civic Dialogue View DVD

Fresno Unified Constitution Day Website
www.fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/sscience/constitutionday.html

Central Valley Stories of Service Website
www.civednet7.org/storiesofservice.html

SCORE Constitution Day Website
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/special_events/constitution_day/

Constitution Rights Foundation
http://www.crf-usa.org/constitution_day/constitution_day_home.htm

Constitution Day
http://www.constitutionday.us

Center for Civic Education
http://www.civiced.org

Annenberg Public Policy Center
http://www.justicelearning.org/constitutionday

National History Day
http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/

Constitution Day 2008
http://www.constitutionday.cc/

The Bill of Rights Institute
http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/Teach/freeResources/ConstitutionDay/

Bill of Rights Day is December 15th.  If you are looking for free lessons and resources, please contact The Bill of Rights Institute.  They have posted instructional materials to help teachers and students celebrate Bill of Rights Day.  They are available at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org.  

At the Civil War Revisited, visitors experience one of the most riveting periods in our history.  People from all over the United States come back year after year to...
       
        *  Witness a historic Civil War battle
        *  Meet Harriet Tubman
        *  Learn about a journey on the Underground Railroad or California's Role in the War
        *  Talk to President Abraham Lincoln and Walt Whitman
        *  Listen to American folk and bluegrass music
        *  Watch American artisans practice their crafts
        *  View the fashions of the day at the 19th century women's fashion show

There are history books, documentaries, radio programs, and movies.
And then there is living history.  Here - in Fresno.

DATES - TBA

Students have authentic opportunities to further their education in culture, history/social science, and related core subjects by delivering speeches, writing essays, and/or creating works of art.  The events culminate with an art reception and program to honor the students and their work.  The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee joins Fresno County Office of Education; and Fresno, Central and Clovis Unified School Districts in co-sponsoring the events, which will be held at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum this year.  

MLK Art Contest
All school districts are encouraged to have their students, grades K-12, participate in the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by using a visual medium to express Dr. King's ideas.  The integration of art and history not only helps students apply and retain their knowledge of history but also offers students with different learning styles an opportunity to succeed.  Each school site may submit a maximum of 8 pieces of student work.  Each participant will receive a certificate.  Those judged Superior, Excellent and Honorable Mention will receive ribbons.  Art work will be exhibited at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum from January 27th through February 20th, 2009.  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

MLK Speech Contest
Students in grades 4-12 are encouraged to write and deliver an original speech, addressing the theme of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. contests.  Each school site can submit 3 finalists per category for the FCOE contest.  Speeches will be presented at  FCOE on January 23, 2009, in front of a panel of judges who will select the winning speech from each grade category (4th-6th, 7th-8th, 9th-12th).  The winning speakers will deliver their speeches at the Art Reception and Open House on Monday, January 23, 2009, and will be awarded a $100 savings bond.

MLK Essay Contest
All Fresno County students in grades 4-12 are eligible and encouraged to compete.  Each school site can submit 3 finalists per category for final judging.  Categories are grades 4-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12.  Essays will be judged on content, creativity, connection to theme and communicative skills.  Length of essays must be 100-300 words for grades 4-6, 300-500 words for grades 7-8, and 500-1000 words for grades 9-12.  Each entry must have a card attached containing the student's name, essay title, school name, district, school phone number, school contact, and the grade level of the student writer.  The winning essay in each category will receive a $100 savings bond, and the essay may be displayed at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art Reception and Open House on February 12, 2009.

STUDENT REGISTRATION - Click Here - Coming Soon!

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS   
2009 MLK Contests Flyer (pdf)
2009 MLK Art Contest Flyer (pdf)
2009 MLK Essay Contest Flyer (pdf)
2009 MLK Speech Contest Flyer (pdf)
2009 MLK Speech Contest Scoring Criteria - Coming Soon!
MLK Consent Form - Coming Soon!

VIEW VIDEO (Windows Media Player)

The Mock Trial is a simulation of an original criminal court case with high school students playing the courtroom roles.  The Mock Trial is designed to demystify the workings of our legal institutions for young people.  Students will be given a court case that incorporates roles of various abilities.  Teams of high school students will present the case in the courtrooms of the Fresno County Courthouse before presiding judges and attorneys who evaluate each team’s performance.  All Fresno County high schools are invited to participate in the competition.

The competition’s format is round robin with each team randomly placed in a pool.  The winner from each pool is then eligible for the semi-final and final rounds.  Team sponsors will draw for both their pool and competitors at the October coaches meeting.  Each team is guaranteed four rounds, two as the prosecution and two as the defense.  Important dates:

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

On behalf of the Fresno County Office of Education, we would like to thank you for your generous donations.  Your donations make it possible for the Fresno County Mock Trial competition to be effective and run smoothly.  Mock Trial is only possible because of thoughtful contributions from organizations like yours.  We hope for your continued support in the future to ensure the success of our program.  

Your donations are appreciated and we want to make sure you get recognized for your sponsorship.  Please look for your name in the program for our annual Mock Trial Awards Ceremony.

VOLUNTEER SCORING ATTORNEYS NEEDED

Are you an attorney?  Would you be interested in volunteering one night (or more) to score one of our Fresno County Mock Trial Competitions?  This year we have twenty teams (20) from around Fresno County who are taking part in this challenging and valuable event.  Of course, Mock Trial cannot take place without the successful partnerships between our judges, attorneys, students, schools, and coaches.  We do understand how busy everyone is and we sincerely appreciate your taking time to consider being a part of this educational event. 

The estimated time commitment for this event would be approximately one hour to review the case booklet and the judges’ rule book, and one (or more) evening from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Superior Courthouse.

If you are interested, please fill out the 2009 Volunteer Scoring Attorney form and return it via fax to (559) 265-3056 or email to lsibel@fcoe.org. 

Please help us spread the word about this exciting educational event and share this form with your colleagues!

 DOWNLOADABLE FORMS 
2009 Intent Form (pdf) - Registration closed.
2009 Entry Form (pdf) - Registration closed.
Teacher-Coach Agreement Form (pdf)
Student Permission Slip (pdf)
Roster/Code of Ethics (pdf)
Competition Goals and Rules (pdf) Coming Soon!
Competition Schedule (pdf)
Courtroom Artist Contest Rules (pdf)
Courtroom Artist Entry Form (pdf)
Courtroom Journalist Contest Rules (pdf)
Courtroom Journalist Entry Form (pdf)
Parking/Security Information (pdf)
Team Rulebook (pdf)
Errata (10-10-08) (pdf)
Outstanding Female Attorney Nomination - 
Mock Trial Awards Ceremony Program - Coming Soon!
2009 Volunteer Scoring Attorney Form (pdf)

Mock Trial State Website
http://www.crf-usa.org

Fresno County History Day is a unique opportunity for 4^{th -} 12^th grade students to research and present personally meaningful topics relating to an annual theme and examine history in a fun and challenging way.  Student winners in each category (posters, exhibits, historical papers, web sites, documentaries, and performances) will move on to the State competition, with the potential to qualify for National History Day.  The theme for History Day 2009 is  The Individual in History. 

History Day (March 21, 2009) will be held at Fresno Pacific University, main campus, located:
1717 S. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93702  
Fresno Pacific University Campus Map (pdf)

History Day Judging:  We are actively recruiting judges in all categories.  Please download and return the Judge Recruitment Form to Mary Janzen at mjanzen@fcoe.org or fax (559) 265-3056 by February 20, 2009.

DATES

Important Dates and Contacts (pdf)

Teacher-Coach Orientation Meeting:
Fresno County Office of Education, Room 270
Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 4:00 PM -5:30 PM
Orientation Meeting Flyer (pdf)
2009 History Day Orientation Meeting PowerPoint (pdf)

Entry Form Deadline:  
January 29, 2009

Web Site and Historical Paper Projects Due:  
January 29, 2009

Mandatory Teacher-Coach Meeting:  
Fresno Pacific University (main campus), Wiebe Educational Center, Rm. 218
Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 4:00 PM-5:30 PM
February Meeting Presentation - Coming Soon!

History Day Posters & Exhibits Set-Up:
Friday, March 20, 2009
Poster & Exhibit Set-up and Procedures - Coming Soon!

Fresno County History Day Event:  
Fresno Pacific University (main campus)
1717 S. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93702
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Registration 8:00 AM-12:00 PM

History Day in California State Finals:
The 2008-2009 History Day in California State Finals will be held in Sacramento, CA, April 30, 2009-May 3, 2009.

National History Day:
The 2008-2009 NHD national contest will be held at the University of Maryland, June 14-18, 2009.

STUDENT REGISTRATION - CLICK HERE 

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS 
2009 Fresno County History Day Flyer (pdf)
2009 Guidelines for Submitting Entry Forms (pdf)
2009 Entry Divisions & Categories (pdf)
2009 Judge Recruitment Form (pdf)
2009 History Day Letter to Parents - Coming Soon!
2009 History Day Theme from the State (pdf)
2009 History Day Student Rulebook (pdf)
2009 HD Framework/Content Standards (pdf)
2009 Possible Topics (pdf)

HISTORY DAY JUDGE INFORMATION 
2009 History Day Judge Recruitment Flyer (pdf)
2009 Judge Handbook (pdf)
2009 Sample Score Sheet (pdf)
2009 Project Rooms Schedule - Coming Soon!
Additional Judge Information and Flyer - Coming Soon!
2009 Judge Recruitment Form - Coming Soon!

HISTORY DAY STUDENT/TEACHER RESOURCES
2009 County History Day  Orientation MeetingPowerPoint (pdf)
2009 History Day CRF PowerPoint (pdf)
2009 NARA Basic Research Methods PowerPoint (pdf)
2009 History Day NARA Possible Topics PowerPoint (pdf)

RESEARCH RESOURCES  
·California Resources
·Organization & Instructions
·Museums & Historic Sites
·National Libraries & Archives & Directories
·US History Primary Sources & Major Web Sites
·World History Primary Sources & Major Web Sites
·Maps
·Photos & Other Images
·Song Lyrics

History Day State Website
www.crf-usa.org/history_day/HistoryDay.htm

History Day National  Website
www.nationalhistoryday.org
        

2008 History Day Winners (pdf)                                             2008 Fresno County Students Moving to State (pdf)

2008 California State Winners From Fresno County (pdf)

2007 History Day Slideshow 

San Joaquin Valley Town Hall is a non-profit organization managed by an all-volunteer board of directors.  Their mission is to bring thought-provoking speakers to the Central Valley who inform, educate, and, yes, even entertain the lecture goers!

RESOURCES
http://valleytownhall.com/

DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS
Flyer (pdf)