Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the Context and Causes of the Mexican-American War: Students will learn about the historical context leading up to the Mexican-American War, including the expansionist policies of the United States and the Mexican government's struggle to maintain control of its territories. They will also explore the primary causes of the war, such as disputes over the Texas-Mexico border and American desire for land.

2. Identify the Major Events and Battles of the Mexican-American War: Students will be able to identify and describe the major events and battles of the Mexican-American War, including the Battle of Palo Alto, the Battle of Buena Vista, and the capture of Mexico City. They will also analyze the significant impact of these events on the outcome of the war.

3. Examine the Consequences and Legacy of the Mexican-American War: Students will examine the consequences of the Mexican-American War for both the United States and Mexico, including the significant territorial gains for the U.S., the loss of land for Mexico, and the impact on the political and social landscape of both nations. They will also discuss the war's legacy and its influence on future U.S.-Mexico relations.

Secondary Objectives:

• Develop Analytical Skills: Through the exploration of primary causes, major events, and consequences of the Mexican-American War, students will enhance their analytical skills, learning to examine historical events from multiple perspectives.

• Promote Cultural Understanding: By studying the Mexican-American War, students will develop a deeper understanding of the historical relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, promoting cultural understanding and empathy.

Introduction (7 - 10 minutes)

• The teacher begins the lesson by briefly reviewing the previous lessons on U.S. history, emphasizing the westward expansion of the United States and its relationship with Mexico. This serves to refresh the students' memory and provide a necessary foundation for understanding the Mexican-American War. (2 - 3 minutes)

• To engage the students and set the stage for the lesson, the teacher presents two hypothetical scenarios:

  1. Imagine you are an American settler in Texas, and you believe that the land you live on should be part of the United States. However, the Mexican government claims this land as its own. What would you do in this situation?
  2. Now, imagine you are a Mexican citizen, and there are a growing number of American settlers in the territory that your government claims. The American government also wants this land. How would you feel about this situation? (2 - 3 minutes)

• The teacher then contextualizes the importance of the Mexican-American War by explaining that it was a significant event that shaped the geography and history of both the United States and Mexico. The teacher highlights that understanding this conflict helps us to understand the complex relationship between these two countries today. For instance, the current issue of immigration from Mexico to the United States can be traced back, in part, to the land taken by the U.S. during the Mexican-American War. (1 - 2 minutes)

• To grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two interesting facts or stories related to the Mexican-American War:

  1. The story of the "Bear Flag Revolt" in California, where a group of American settlers declared California an independent republic in 1846, in the midst of the Mexican-American War. This story not only highlights the American desire for land, but also the complex identities and loyalties of the people living in these territories.
  2. The fact that the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War, led to the largest ever single acquisition of land by the United States, doubling its territory. This acquisition included what would become the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. (2 - 3 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Content Presentation (10 - 12 minutes)

The teacher presents the main content of the lesson, providing a detailed overview of the Mexican-American War. The presentation is divided into three sections:

Section 1: Context and Causes of the War

• The teacher begins by reiterating the historical context of the war, emphasizing the rapid westward expansion of the United States and the Mexican government's struggle to maintain control of its territories. (2 - 3 minutes)

• The teacher then explains the primary causes of the war, focusing on the dispute over the Texas-Mexico border and American desire for land. This includes a discussion about the annexation of Texas by the U.S. and the subsequent disputes over the border, which ultimately led to the outbreak of war. (3 - 4 minutes)

Section 2: Major Events and Battles

• The teacher proceeds to discuss the major events and battles of the war, including the Battle of Palo Alto, the Battle of Buena Vista, and the capture of Mexico City. The teacher uses maps, diagrams, and illustrations to help students visualize the locations and strategies of these key events. (2 - 3 minutes)

• The teacher also highlights the significant role of key figures, such as General Zachary Taylor, General Winfield Scott, and President James K. Polk, in shaping the outcome of the war. This section includes stories and anecdotes about these individuals to make the content more engaging and relatable. (2 - 3 minutes)

Section 3: Consequences and Legacy of the War

• The teacher concludes the content presentation by discussing the consequences of the war for both the United States and Mexico. This includes the significant territorial gains for the U.S., the loss of land for Mexico, and the impact on the political and social landscape of both nations. (1 - 2 minutes)

• The teacher also touches on the war's legacy, including its influence on future U.S.-Mexico relations and the ongoing issue of immigration from Mexico to the United States. This section aims to help students understand the long-term impact of historical events. (1 - 2 minutes)

2. Class Discussion and Reflection (8 - 10 minutes)

• After the content presentation, the teacher leads a class discussion to ensure students have understood the main points of the lesson. The teacher asks open-ended questions, allowing students to share their thoughts and ideas. (3 - 4 minutes)

• The teacher then encourages students to reflect on the presented information, asking them to consider the perspectives of both Americans and Mexicans during the war. This reflection aims to develop students' critical thinking and empathy skills. (2 - 3 minutes)

• To conclude the development stage, the teacher assigns a short written reflection task for homework. Students should write a paragraph reflecting on the most significant aspect they learned about the Mexican-American War and why they found it important. This task further consolidates students' learning and encourages them to think more deeply about the topic. (3 - 4 minutes)

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

• The teacher begins the feedback stage by reviewing the main points of the lesson. The teacher asks the students to recap the major events, causes, and consequences of the Mexican-American War. This helps to reinforce the students' understanding of the topic and ensures that they have grasped the key concepts. (2 - 3 minutes)

• The teacher then assesses what was learned in the lesson by connecting the theoretical knowledge to practical applications and real-world examples. The teacher might ask the students to consider how the Mexican-American War has shaped the current political and social landscape of both the United States and Mexico. The teacher can also ask the students to think about how the issues and conflicts of the Mexican-American War are still relevant today. For example, the teacher could ask: "Can you think of any current events or issues that can be traced back to the Mexican-American War?" (2 - 3 minutes)

• The teacher then provides individual feedback on the students' written reflection tasks. The teacher should highlight the students' understanding of the war's significant aspects and their ability to articulate why these aspects are important. The teacher can also provide suggestions for further reflection or areas of the topic that the student may want to explore. This feedback encourages students to reflect on their learning and identify areas for further study. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Finally, the teacher concludes the lesson by emphasizing the importance of understanding historical events like the Mexican-American War. The teacher explains that studying these events helps us to understand the present and make sense of the world around us. The teacher also encourages students to continue exploring the topic on their own, suggesting additional resources for further study. (1 - 2 minutes)

• To wrap up the lesson, the teacher asks the students to share their thoughts on the lesson. The teacher can ask questions such as: "What was the most important concept you learned today?" or "What questions do you still have about the Mexican-American War?" This open discussion allows the teacher to gauge the students' understanding and interest in the topic, and it provides an opportunity to address any remaining questions or misconceptions. (1 - 2 minutes)

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

• The teacher begins the conclusion stage by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They reiterate the causes of the Mexican-American War, the major events and battles, and the consequences for both the United States and Mexico. The teacher also recaps the importance of studying the Mexican-American War in understanding the history and current relationship between these two countries. (1 - 2 minutes)

• The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. They highlight how the theoretical knowledge about the Mexican-American War was presented in an engaging and interactive way, with the use of maps, diagrams, and stories. The teacher emphasizes how the reflection tasks and class discussion allowed students to apply this theoretical knowledge to real-world examples and current events. (1 - 2 minutes)

• The teacher suggests additional materials for students who are interested in learning more about the Mexican-American War. This could include books, documentaries, or online resources. For instance, the teacher might recommend the book "A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln, and the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico" by Amy S. Greenberg or the documentary "The U.S.-Mexican War" by PBS. The teacher encourages students to explore these resources to deepen their understanding of the topic. (1 - 2 minutes)

• The teacher concludes the lesson by explaining the significance of the Mexican-American War for everyday life. They highlight that this war, although it took place over 170 years ago, has had a lasting impact on the geography, politics, and culture of both the United States and Mexico. They underscore that understanding this history helps us to make sense of the present and to navigate the complexities of the current U.S.-Mexico relationship, including issues such as immigration and border disputes. (1 - 2 minutes)