Mexican American War Dialogue

Objectives: Build on students’ knowledge about U.S. expansion To develop students’ understanding of the causes and effects

of the U.S.-Mexico war

Materials: Timeline (on the board) Map of U.S. expansion Role cards Question sheet

Role-play adapted from the “The Line Between Us”

00:00-00:05 Review

Go over timeline of important events before and after the warGo over the map of U.S. Expansion/changes over time

Brainstorm with students what resource they can think back on: Conversations in class Takaki readings

00:05-00:12 Introduce Dialogue Activity

Explain the role cards Everyone is going to get a role card. On the card is the character

that you will be playing during the dialogue. When you receive your card, read through it. Think about the

opinion of your character – what do they think about the U.S.-Mexico war?

You will be sharing this opinion with your peers – it is important to really read the card to understand your roll

Explain the question sheet When you get your roll card you are going to read it and fill out

the first section on the question sheet – we are going to do this silently so everyone has the time to think about their roll

Then, you are going to mingle with your peers and learn about their perspectives

Find a person for each section of the question sheet Answers do not need to be super specific

Go over behavior expectations There are many of us in one room – use an appropriate volume Sometimes it can be challenging to represent an opinion you dont

agree with BUT these are very important opinions because they help explain the causes and effects of the war

Pass out question sheet and role cards00:12-00:40 Dialogue Activity

Walk around and check in with students – reminders about expectations and clarifying understandings about the war.

If students finish early, have them discuss the four questions at the end of the question sheet

00:40-00:45 Wrap-up and Preview Discussion

Wrap-up the activity – What did you notice? What surprised you?

Tomorrow we are going to be discussing what you discovered or learned from your peers. We will be answering the four questions at the end of the question sheet. Bring the sheet with you to class tomorrow.

U.S. war on Mexico War Tea Party

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Who is your character?

Does your character support the U.S. war with Mexico?

Why does your character support or not support the war?

Find someone who supports the U.S. war with Mexico Who is this person?

Why does this person support the war?

Find someone who stands to gain from the war Who is this person?

How might this person benefit from the war?

Find someone who lives in a different part of the country than you do or lives in another country Who is this person?

What do you agree on about the war?

What do you disagree on about the war?

Find someone who opposes the war with Mexico. Who is this person?

Why does this person oppose the war?

Find someone who fought in the war. Who is this person?

What was this person’s experience like?

Find someone who stands to lose from the war

Who is the person?

How might this person suffer?

What did you learn that was interesting or surprising?

If you are done, discuss these questions with other folks:

What were the causes of the U.S. war with Mexico?

Who supported the war and why?

Who was against the war and why?

What were the effects of the U.S. war with Mexico?