Goals and Learning Standards

History Fair offers a rigorous academic program that addresses both fundamental and higher order thinking skills in Social Studies and Language Arts-and we have been doing so for over 25 years. The current codification of these vital skills in State Goals and Learning Standards attest to the History Fair's solid approach. In addition, History Fair provides a product which can be assessed-the research paper, exhibit, live performance, or media documentary-but it provides an alternative assessment model to measure students' achievements.

Please note: specific Learning Standards will vary depending upon the age group and the type of project and topic the student selects to explore.

State Goals and Illinois Learning Standards in the Social Sciences Category

State Goals and Illinois Learning Standards in the Language Arts Category

Students who do History Fair projects will utilize a number of State Goals and Illinois Learning Standards in the Social Sciences category:

STATE GOAL 14: Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the U.S.
General Learning Standards
C. Understand election processes and responsibilities of citizens.
D. Understand the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
F. Understand the development of United States political ideas and traditions.

STATE GOAL 15: Understand economic systems, with an emphasis on the U.S.
General Learning Standards
A. Understand how different economic systems operate in the exchange, production, distribution and consumption of goods and services.

STATE GOAL 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
General Learning Standards
A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.
B. Understand the development of significant political events.
C. Understand the development of economic systems.
D. Understand Illinois, United States and social history.
E. Understand Illinois, United States and environmental history.

STATE GOAL 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the United States.
General Learning Standards
A. Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth.
C. Understand relationships between geographic factors and society.
D. Understand the historical significance of geography.

STATE GOAL 18: Understand social systems, with an emphasis on the U.S.
General Learning Standards
A. Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions
B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.
C. Understand how social systems form and develop over time.

Students who do History Fair projects will utilize a number of State Goals and Illinois Learning Standards in the Language Arts category:

STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
General Learning Standards
A. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.
B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
C. Comprehend sa broad range of reading materials.

STATE GOAL 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
General Learning Standards
A. Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.
B. Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences.

STATE GOAL 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.
General Learning Standards
A. Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
B. Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.

STATE GOAL 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.
General Learning Standards
A. Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas.
B. Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources.
C. Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.