Lesson Plan - Florida During the Spanish-American War of 1898

Grades

4, 9-12

Next Generation Sunshine State Standards

• SS.4.A.6.4
  Describe effects of the Spanish-American War on Florida.
  Examples are Rough Riders, cigar industry.
  
  
• SS.912.A.4.3
  Examine causes, course, and consequences of the Spanish American War.

Overview

Students will analyze photographs of Florida during the Spanish-American War. The images depict soldiers in camp, troops leaving for Cuba, and individuals such as Theodore Roosevelt and Clara Barton.

Objectives

Students will:

• analyze photographs of Florida during the Spanish-American War.
• decide whether the information in the photographs confirms, adds to, or conflicts with their understanding of Florida during the Spanish-American War.

Materials Needed

1. Spanish-American War photographs
2. Worksheets
   • Photographic Analysis Worksheet from the National Archives and Records Administration
     http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/

Lesson Plan

1. Activate prior knowledge:
   • Tell students that they are about to look at photographs of Florida during the Spanish-American War. Ask the students what they know about Florida during the Spanish-American War.
   • Where did the soldiers live? What did the soldiers' camps look like? What did the soldiers do while they were in camp? How did the troops get from Florida to Cuba? What cities were involved? Famous people?
2. The activity:
   • Students (individually or in small groups) will analyze photographs of Florida during the Spanish-American War.
   • What did the students notice that confirmed what they thought about the Spanish-American War? What was unexpected, or what did they learn that they didn't know before?