Lesson Plan

Yellow Journalism

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

Overview

In this lesson, students will describe causes of involvement of the United States in Wold War I by defining yellow journalism, and its effect on the United States becoming involved in a war with Spain over its territories in the Caribbean Sea and the Philippine Islands. By viewing primary source documents of newspaper articles from Alabama, the students will make judgments as to the effectiveness of the newspaper articles.

This lesson was created as a part of the Alabama History Education Initiative, funded by a generous grant from the Malone Family Foundation in 2009.

AuthorInformation: Ronald Shephard (Cohort 2: 2010-2011)
Central High School Phenix City Schools Phenix City, AL

Content Standards

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 11 - United States History II

SS10.US2.4
Describe causes, events, and the impact of military involvement of the United States in World War I, including mobilization and economic and political changes. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.f., A.1.i., A.1.j., A.1.k.]

Unpacked Content

Vocabulary

World War I
Treaty of Versailles
mobilization
imperialism
nationalism
militarism
nativism
fascist

Knowledge

Students know:

The causes, events, and the impact of military involvement of the United States in World War I.
Social and political changes and attitudes in the United States related to involvement in World War I, including: American neutrality, mobilization, economic changes, and political changes.
The role of imperialism, militarism, nationalism, nativism, and the alliance system in World War I.
Geographical and political boundaries of Europe and the Middle East, pre- and post-World War I.
Controversies over the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, and the League of Nations.
Short- and long-term effects of the Treaty of Versailles.

Skills

Students are able to:

Explain the changing role of the United States during specific historical periods and in relationship to specific historical events.
Describe the effects of political and social movements and ideologies.
Analyze the social and political causes, events, and impact of specific historical events.
Identify geographical and political changes related to specific historical events.
Analyze controversies related to political policies, plans, and agreements.
Analyze primary and secondary sources.
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

Understanding

Students understand that:

There were many causes and effects of the United States' military involvement in World War I and these had significant social, political, and economic impact on the United States.

Interdisciplinary Connections

Learning Objectives

Primary Learning Objectives

Students will be able to describe causes and consequences of the Spanish-American War.
Students will define yellow journalism with emphasis on how this journalistic method played a role in bringing the United States to war with Spain.

Additional Learning Objective(s)

Students will write a newspaper article using the elements of yellow journalism.

Procedures/Activities

Before:

Engagement/Motivation Activity:
Teachers will assign the following:
Think of an event that has happened during your life that made you think the United States government should take a particular action. Share your response with another student.

During:

Step 1- Project and read Alabama newspaper article from 1898 on the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in Cuba (Q25033-Q25034). Then project and read the New York Journal article found at: http://historicalthinkingmatters.org/spanishamericanwar/0/inquiry/intro/. If you are unable to project this article, a transcription of the article is attached, as well as a digital copy of the front page.

Step 2- Ask the students what emotions were triggered by reading these articles and why. Allow time for discussion.

Step 3- Explain and define the term yellow journalism. Clarify that yellow journalism was sensationalized reporting designed to cause an emotional reaction in people. Be sure that students understand that newspapers were the medium in 1898.
There were no other means of mass communication.

Step 4- Using the attached T-square critical thinking chart, have the students make a judgment as to whether or not the articles could be classified as yellow journalism.

After:

The students will write a newspaper article using yellow journalism techniques, with the aim of making readers want to go to war with Spain. The article will be graded using the attached rubric.

Before:

During:

Step 2- Ask the students what emotions were triggered by reading these articles and why. Allow time for discussion.

Step 4- Using the attached T-square critical thinking chart, have the students make a judgment as to whether or not the articles could be classified as yellow journalism.

After:

The students will write a newspaper article using yellow journalism techniques, with the aim of making readers want to go to war with Spain. The article will be graded using the attached rubric.

Learning Activity (Before)

Learning Activity (During)

Learning Activity (After)

Assessment Strategies

The students will be assessed on the newspaper article using the attached rubric.

Acceleration and Intervention

Acceleration

Students can research and identify or provide current examples of yellow journalism.

Intervention

Direct students to the emotion-laden words in the article, list them, and discuss the power of those words.

Approximate Duration

Total Duration

31 to 60 Minutes

Background and Preparation

Background/Preparation

The Spanish-American War era is an interesting period of time in which two Alabamians, such as ‘Fightin' Joe Wheeler and Richmond Pearson Hobson played important roles. You may want to read pages 337-342 of Alabama: The History of a Deep South State for extensive information regarding the impact of the Spanish-American War on Alabama (see bibliographic information below). The Encyclopedia of Alabama provides excellent biographical information on Joseph Wheeler, a powerful and outspoken advocate for the war in the U. S. House of Representatives.

Rogers, William W., Robert D. Ward, Leah Rawls Atkins, and Wayne Flynt. Alabama: The History of a Deep South State. 1st edition. Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press, 1994. 337-342.

The following Web site from the Library of Congress provides a complete history of the Spanish- American War: The World of 1898.

A comprehensive overview of the Spanish-American War can be found at: http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/trask.html
A definition of yellow journalism and its connection to the Spanish-American War can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/crucible/frames/_journalism.html

The Crucible of Empire, PBS Web site: http://www.pbs.org/crucible/frames/_film.html

Prior to this lesson the teacher will have provided background information on the economic situation in Cuba and on the United States' relationship with this small Caribbean nation.

The teacher will have also presented information about Cuba being a Spanish colony and how badly the people of Cuba had been treated by Spain. An excellent Web site providing background information on the Spanish-American War and yellow journalism can be found at The Crucible of Empire The Spanish-American War by PBS.

Materials and Resources

T-square critical thinking chart
Paper
Pen or pencil
Assessment rubric
USS Maine newspaper articles

Technology Resources Needed

Computer
Projector screen
LCD projector

Approved Date

2015-09-17

Learning Resource Type

Yellow Journalism

Subject Area

Grade(s)

Overview

SS10.US2.4 Describe causes, events, and the impact of military involvement of the United States in World War I, including mobilization and economic and political changes. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.f., A.1.i., A.1.j., A.1.k.]

Unpacked Content

Vocabulary

Knowledge

Skills

Understanding

Primary Learning Objectives

Additional Learning Objective(s)

Procedures/Activities

Assessment Strategies

Acceleration

Intervention

Approximate Duration

Total Duration

Background and Preparation

Background/Preparation

Materials and Resources

Materials and Resources

Technology Resources Needed

Approved Date

SS10.US2.4
Describe causes, events, and the impact of military involvement of the United States in World War I, including mobilization and economic and political changes. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.f., A.1.i., A.1.j., A.1.k.]