Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Between the Lines, Debt Crisis
In this European debt crisis activity, students analyze a political cartoon about Greek debt and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoon Analysis
In this current events activity, students analyze political cartoons of their choosing and respond to 16 analysis questions about the cartoons.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: All Eyes on Iowa
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about the Iowa caucus and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Liberty vs. Security
In this current events instructional activity, learners analyze a political cartoon about civil liberties and respond to 3 talking point questions.
National First Ladies' Library
All the News That's Fit to Draw: Political Cartooning and the Presidency
Young scholars research, analyze and study the history of political cartooning in the United States. They recognize a political cartoon, be able to identify the main idea, the symbols and the exaggeration and caricature in political...
Curated OER
Interpreting Political Cartoons – Vietnam Era
Eleventh graders explore opinions regarding U.S. involvement in Vietnam. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, 11th graders analyze political cartoons related to the Vietnam War and then respond to the provided discussion questions.
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Comics for the Classroom: Addicted to Spending
Political comics can be a great way to get kids thinking critically about current political topics. They assess this cartoon and analyze how the cartoonist feels about US spending policy. There are three solid critical analysis questions...
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"Big Three" Bailouts
What does your class think about big business bailouts by the U.S. Government? Find out with this activity, where learners analyze a political cartoon comparing the "Big Three" automakers with the Greek Myth of Sisyphus. Background...
Curated OER
Working Women of WWII: Primary Documents: The Editorial Cartoon
Students examine the role of women in the workplace during World War II. They identify social conflicts, view and analyze editorial cartoons, participate in a group discussion, and answer discussion questions.
University of Pennsylvania
Using Comic Strips to Teach Multiple Perspectives
Scholars view comics from two different perspectives; one paints the Alfred Dreyfus as innocent, while the other portrays the exact opposite. They solve the mystery of what happened by analyzing the source, working in groups, and...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: 2008 Presidential Primaries
Take a trip back in time with this political cartoon analysis worksheet, which has scholars reading background information on the heated 2008 primary campaign to help them approach two political cartoons. Three talking points (or writing...
Curated OER
Olympics and Politics: Let the Games Begin!
Let the games begin! Use political cartoons to analyze current events regarding the Olympic Games. This worksheet includes two cartoons depicting the 2008 Beijing Olympics, background information to help with analysis, and talking points...
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Political Cartoons: Symbols of Fear
Students brainstorm a list of reasons for fear, hate, and mistrust. They assess political cartoons for symbols, messages, and points of view. After researching cartoons, they choose one that best depicts fear or hatred and write...
Curated OER
Energy Crisis: Then and Now
Using political cartoons, scholars analyze the energy crisis of the 1970s and '80s, comparing and contrasting it to current tensions with oil. Display the 6 cartoons (linked) to the class, and demonstrate analysis using the worksheet...
Curated OER
The Birth of the American Empire as Seen Through Political Cartoons (1896-1905)
High schoolers explore the concept of political cartoons. In this political cartoons lesson, students examine political cartoons from different time periods in American history and respond to questions regarding them.
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Interpreting Political Cartoons - "Roaring" 20s
Eleventh graders investigate 1920's America. In this political cartoon lesson, 11th graders interpret political cartoons from the 1920's and respond to the provided analysis questions that accompany the cartoons.
Curated OER
The Election of 1896 - Gold or Silver?
Students analyze the issues behind the Election of 1896 and describe the positions of William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. They evaluate editorial cartoons supporting McKinley's candidacy via editorial cartoons. Each student...
Curated OER
Weighty Matters
Students analyze political cartoons, and write short paragraphs explaining the cartoon's meaning and the cartoonist's point-of-view.
Curated OER
Political Cartoons
High schoolers explain that a political cartoon is very much like an editorial--both present personal opinions. Each student writes an editorial that supports the political cartoon. They must analyze the cartoon in order to write about...
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Rebels Or Resisters?
Middle schoolers participate in a mock trial on the Whiskey Rebellion that took place in the state of Pennsylvania in 1794. They analyze the perspectives presented by both sides to determine whether the Whiskey "rebels" were guilty of...
Curated OER
Let the Pictures Tell the Story: Presenting a Point of View
Ninth graders examine the process of writing a newspaper article that presents a point of view. They read various newspaper articles, analyze methods of persuasive writing, interpret and create editorial cartoons, and write an editorial.
Curated OER
Breaking the Code: Actions and Songs of Protest
Students listen to and discuss the purpose of protest music. They analyze an editorial cartoon related to Jim Crow and read questions from the literacy tests given to African-Americans. They work together to write a song about the...
Curated OER
Through the Eyes of Others
Students consider perspective as they analyze a political cartoon. In this media awareness lesson, students use the provided discussion questions to explore the meaning of the political cartoon "The Scream," by Edvard Munch.
Curated OER
Do You Agree?
Students recognize bias in a political cartoon, evaluate how the media uses both positive and/or negative political cartoons, and assess the influence a political cartoon can have on a person.