Spanish American War Lesson Analysis

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This lesson, in comparison to other lessons within the first half of the unit, requires the most direct teaching, which carries with it, its own unique twist of strengths and weaknesses. Teachers, when direct teaching is the main tactic used within a lesson become a curriculum and content gatekeeper. This means what the students will learn is almost completely determined by what the teacher decides to focus on. The standards call for the causes of the Spanish-American war to be understood by the students, and frequently what is tested is based on these factors and the outcome of the war, in terms of how it affected America. Rarely, unless within a specialized class is the war’s battles focus on within a high school setting. Sadly, as with most