Age of Imperialism

Overview

Grade: Secondary Special Education (Grades 7-9)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Unit: Rise of a World Power (Lesson 7 of 10)
Topic: The Age of Imperialism
Focus: America’s role in global affairs with an emphasis on the Spanish-American War

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Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Identify key events and causes of the Age of Imperialism in the U.S. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.3)
• Summarize America’s role in the Spanish-American War and its outcomes (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.2)
• Use primary and secondary sources to describe the impact of imperialism on different groups (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7)
• Communicate understanding of imperialism through a group-supported visual project (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.4)

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Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Alignment

• Reading Informational Text:
  • RI.7.2 – Determine two or more central ideas in a text and explain how they are supported.
  • RI.8.3 – Analyze a text to describe how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced and developed.
• Reading History/Social Studies:
  • RH.6-8.7 – Integrate visual information with print texts to enhance understanding.
• Speaking and Listening:
  • SL.8.4 – Present claims and findings clearly supported by sound reasoning and relevant details.
• Writing (Optional extension):
  • W.7.9 – Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis.

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Materials Needed

• Visual timeline poster of the Age of Imperialism (highlighting key events)
• Simplified primary source excerpts (quotes, newspaper headlines about Spanish-American War)
• Graphic organizer handouts (cause/effect charts, vocabulary cards)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Colored pencils/crayons for visual project
• Projector or printed images of maps and political cartoons from the era

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-Up / Activating Prior Knowledge (5 minutes)

• Begin with a guided discussion:
  • Ask: What do you know about how the U.S. became involved in other countries during the late 1800s?
  • Use a whiteboard to chart student responses. Write key words like “America,” “war,” “power,” “colonies.”
• Introduce the term “Imperialism” using a simple definition:
  “Imperialism means when one country controls or influences other countries, usually to get richer or stronger.”

2. Direct Instruction with Visual Timeline (7 minutes)

• Present a colorful timeline poster:
  • Highlight causes of imperialism: need for new markets, naval power (Alfred Mahan’s ideas), and national pride.
  • Focus on the Spanish-American War (1898): causes, major events (USS Maine explosion), and outcome (Treaty of Paris).
• Read aloud a simplified primary source excerpt (a headline or quote about the USS Maine) to bring history alive.
• Use a projector or physical images to show a political cartoon about imperialism; briefly explain symbolism.

3. Group Activity – Cause & Effect Chart (10 minutes)

• Distribute graphic organizers showing causes and effects of the Spanish-American War and imperialism.
• Students work in pairs or small groups (2-3 per group) to fill out:
  • Causes: What led the U.S. to get involved in the war?
  • Effects: What happened to the U.S. and other countries after the war?
• Teacher circulates to provide individualized support and ensures participation.
• After chart completion, groups share one cause and one effect verbally (foster confidence in speaking, SL.8.4).

4. Visual Project (5 minutes)

• Each student creates a simple illustration or political cartoon expressing one cause or effect of Imperialism.
• Provide colored pencils and prompt:
  “Draw how the U.S. influenced or changed the world during the Age of Imperialism.”
• Allow students to explain their drawings briefly to the class or teacher (assessment of comprehension and oral skills).

5. Wrap-up and Assessment (3 minutes)

• Recap key ideas using a rapid-fire Q&A:
  • What war showed America’s new power?
  • Why did America want to become an imperial power?
  • What was one effect of the Spanish-American War?
• Collect graphic organizers and visual projects as formative assessments.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Use simplified language and visuals for complex vocabulary (imperialism, treaty, colony).
• Provide audio recordings of primary source texts for students with reading difficulties.
• Allow students to express understanding verbally or through drawings rather than only written work.
• Pair stronger readers with support peers for cooperative learning.

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Extension (Optional for Homework or Next Lesson)

• Watch a short documentary excerpt or read a short story about a Cuban or Filipino perspective during the war for cultural empathy.
• Write 2-3 sentences about how imperialism affected people in one of the territories.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Observe student engagement during group work—note which students participate or need extra help.
• Assess if visual aids increased understanding of abstract concepts.
• Prepare to revisit vocabulary in next lesson with hands-on models or role-playing to deepen retention.

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This lesson plan uses interactive visuals, cooperative learning, and primary sources aligned with Common Core standards to meet the diverse needs of secondary special education students while ensuring a rich understanding of America’s role in the Age of Imperialism.