Description

Overview:

In this lesson, students analyze primary sources in an effort to answer the central historical question: What sank the Maine? The teacher introduces the concept of media sensationalism and shows a painting of the Maine‰ŰŞs destruction and a propaganda song blaming the Spanish. Students then receive opposing newspaper accounts from Hearst‰ŰŞs New York Herald and the New York Times; for each, they fill out a graphic organizer and/or guiding questions. A class discussion explores how the reporting of news influences readers‰ŰŞ opinions. For homework, students explain--using textual evidence--which account they find more believable.

Subject:

U.S. History

Level:

Middle School, High School

Material Type:

Lesson

Provider:

Stanford History Education Group

Provider Set:

Reading Like a Historian

Date Added:

10/20/2012