American Imperialism and the

Spanish American War

February 4, 2011

www.historyconnected.org
www.historyconnected.wikispaces.com
 Today’s Agenda
8:00 – 8:15 Arrival, Breakfast, & Check-in
8:15 – 8:55 Introductions & Warm Up Activity
9:00 – 11:30 American Imperialism and the Spanish
With break American War
Professor Ed O’Donnell, Holy Cross
11:30–12:10 Lunch

12:15 – 2:15 Resources & Strategies for Teaching

the Spanish American War and the
War in the Philippines
Professor Patricia Fontaine, UMass Lowell
2:15 – 2:30 Closing, Connections to Standards in
Historical Thinking
Wiki Discussion Forum
 Connections to MA History and Social
Science Curriculum Frameworks
USII.6 Analyze the causes and course of America’s
growing role in world affairs from the Civil War to
World War I.
A. the influence of the ideas associated with Social Darwinism
B. the purchase of Alaska from Russia
C. America’s growing influence in Hawaii leading to
annexation
D. the Spanish-American War
E. U.S. expansion into Asia under the Open Door policy
F. President Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
G. America’s role in the building of the Panama Canal
H. President Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
I. President Wilson’s intervention in Mexico
Connections to Standards in Historical Thinking
http://nchs.ucla.edu/standards/thinking5-12.html
3. Historical Analysis and Interpretation
 Consider multiple perspectives of various peoples
in the past by ….considering the historical context
in which the event unfolded--the values, outlook,
options, and contingencies of that time and place;
and avoiding "present-mindedness," judging the
past solely in terms of present-day norms and
values.
 Draw upon the visual, literary, and musical
sources including: (a) photographs, paintings,
cartoons, and architectural drawings; and novels,
poetry, and plays to clarify, illustrate, or elaborate
upon information presented in the historical
narrative.
 Common Core State Standards

Reading Standards for Literacy in

History/Social Studies 6–12
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
7.Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats
and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively,
as well as in words) in order to address a
question or solve a problem.
Technology Integration Connections
•Online Resources on American Imperialism and
the Spanish American War

•Introducing the History Connected Blog

www.historyconnected.blogspot.com

•Blogging in the History Classroom

 Online American Imperialism and
Spanish American War Resources
 Available at:
www.historyconnected.wikispaces.com

 Showcasing: www.historicalthinkingmatters.org
“Spanish American War Investigation”
Introducing the History Connected Blog
www.historyconnected.blogspot.com
Using Blogs in the History Classroom
 Technology is free and easy to use
 Blends history content and historical thinking
skills
 Allows exchanges beyond classroom walls
 Encourages communication, increased student
engagement
 Students write for a broader, public audience
 Makes personalized connections for students
Why Use Blogs in the History Classroom?
Link History Content and Skills
 What is a Blog?
Blogs in Plain English on the Common Craft Show:
 Web log = Blog
 Media for
communication
on the web
 A chronologically
ordered journal
where readers
can leave
comments
 Select Blogs for History Teaching
Ideas and Resources
National History Education Clearinghouse:
Teaching History Blog
http://teachinghistory.org/nhec-blog

Now and Then: An American Social History

Project Blog
http://ashp.cuny.edu/nowandthen/
 Blogs in the History Classroom
“Tech Specs:”
 Set-up Time: Basic blog up and running in
20-30 minutes (can spend hours
customizing).
 Keep Up Time: Writing a blog post can be

done very quickly (similar to an email).

 In-Class Time: Few minutes for a student to

post a comment. Writing assignments can

be 10 minute reflection pieces or longer
assignments.
 Tech Savvy: Basic functions of a blog are

easy to do, similar to email features.

 Things to Do with a Class Blog
 Provide online readings for your students to read
and respond to
 Start a discussion
 Have students post ideas and opinions about
topics discussed in class
 Post historical images or documents and have
students provide analysis and observations
 Provide links to historical podcasts and have
students respond to specific questions or allow
students to post reflections after listening to the
podcast
 Things to Do with a Class Blog
 Have students post questions for the next class
 Post your lecture notes or a summary of class
 Have students post their class notes
 Post the daily homework assignment
 Post links to supplementary Internet materials
 Post progress reports on a group project
 Make connections between class topics and
current events
(http://epidatrmhs.blogspot.com/2010/12/doctor
s-without-borders-launch.html)
 Share student work
Tips for Successful Classroom Blogging
 Start slow, allow time to get comfortable with
blogging.
 Make a direct connection between blogging and
class goals.
 Plan to post regularly even if it is every few
weeks.
 Have a clear blog assessment strategy.
 Set permissions on blog viewing and authorship.
 Educate students on blog protocol, privacy
issues, and your school’s acceptable use policy.
 Creating Your Own Class Blog
1. Choose a Blogging Site
Options Include:
A. http://www.blogger.com
B. http://www.weebly.com/
C. http://edublogs.org/
D. http://wordpress.com/
2. Register for a new blog.
3. Create your first post.
4. Email and post your blog url.
5. Have students register and leave you a
comment.
 Resources
Echlin, Helena. “Blogging Is History: Taking Classroom Discussions Online.” Edutopia. 18 June 2007.
http://www.edutopia.org/blogging-history

"Fifty Useful Blogging Tools for Teachers." TeachingTips.com. 21 July 2008.

http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/07/21/50-useful-blogging-tools-for-teachers/

Lamb, Annette and Larry Johnson. “ Blogs and Blogging: A Home Run for Teaching, Learning, and Technology.”
Eduscapes. http://www.escrapbooking.com/blogging/index.htm

Olwell, Russell. "Taking History Personally: How Blogs Connect Students Outside the Classroom." Perspectives on
History. American Historical Association. January 2008.
http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2008/0801/0801tea1.cfm

Pitler, Howard, Elizabeth R. Hubbell, Matt Kuhn, and Kim Malenoski. Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that
Works. Denver: Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning, 2007.

Reich, Justin and Thomas Daccord. “Educational Uses of Blogging.” In Best Ideas for Teaching with Technology: A
Practical Guide for Teachers, By Teachers , 38 – 56. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2008.

Reynard, Ruth. "Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes Using Blogs with Students." Campus Technology. 1 October
2008. http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/68089_2/.

Richardson, Will. Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for the Classroom . Thousand Oaks, CA:
Corwin Press, 2005.

Smith, Kyle. “Using Blogs in a History Classroom.” National History Education Clearinghouse.
http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/teaching-guides/22261

Voelker, David. "Blogging for Your Students." Perspectives on History. American Historical Association. May 2007.
http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2007/0705/0705tec7.cfm