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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.
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Mightier than the Sword
Students complete a variety of activities as they use the Washington Post Newspaper in the study of editorial cartoons, cartoonists, social commentary and freedom of speech.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: The Future of Newspapers
Are newspapers dying, or fighting to survive? Give your scholars access to this controversial debate using political cartoons. In this analsyis handout, 2 cartoons display the changing role of newspapers in a world of online media....
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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...
Pulitzer Center
The Paradise Papers: A Lesson in Investigative Journalism
The Paradise Papers, a year-long research project from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) exposed how political leaders, business people, and wealthy individuals used offshore entities to avoid taxes and hide...
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Drawing the Line on Financial Reform
Use this political cartoon handout to give a humorous edge to learning about financial reform legislation. Background information helps analysts "read between the lines," and questions prompt analysis of symbolism and message. Because...
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McCarthyism: 60 Years Later
Explore legendary cartoonist Herb Block's bold challenge of McCarthy-era politics through this analysis activity. Two cartoons are included, along with talking points to prompt analysis and background information to help pupils "read...
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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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What Does the Government Do Right?
Challenge your class to reevaluate preconceived notions about government with this political cartoon analysis. An image presents a clear example of irony, in which a disgruntled American complains about his government, yet fails to see...
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Comics for the Classroom: Debt Ceiling
Upper graders examine the clichés that accompany this political cartoon, depicting how various people handle the national debt. They review several clichés quoted in recent times and write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of each.
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Corporate Profits vs. Jobs
Bring the Occupy Movement debate to your classroom. This political cartoon analysis offers a chance for pupils to explore their personal ideas about corporate America and current economic issues. Background information is provided to...
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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...
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Borrowing from the Greek Debt
Use political cartoons to help your class understand the European Debt Crisis and visual symbolism. This analysis handout includes two cartoons depicting the crisis and prompts learners to consider possible symbols and allusions to best...
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Teaming Up on Health Care
Use this political cartoon handout to help pupils understand the role the Blue Dog Coalition plays with regard to Health Care Reform. Football is used metaphorically to represent a player (Blue Dogs) tackling someone on his team (Obama)....
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Editorial Cartoons: A Historical Example of Immigration Debates
Eleventh graders analyze political cartoons. For this American History lesson, 11th graders research the Chinese Exclusion Act and the current arguments about immigration to the United States. Students create a graphic organizer...
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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...
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No Joke - My Voice Counts!
Students respond to cartoons. In this social and cultural issues lesson plan, students examine how cartoons can be used to get a message across to the reader. After examining numerous cartoons, students create their own cartoon with a...
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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...
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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...
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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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Analyzing Election Cartoons
Young scholars are introduced to the history of political cartoons and examine both historical and modern examples. They analyze a cartoon that expresses an opinion about a current event different than their own and develop an original...
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Using Political Cartoons and Propaganda in Teaching the Holocaust
Students gain an understanding of the Holocaust through analysis of political cartoons. In this Holocaust activity, students examine propaganda in political cartoons that were used in Nazi Germany.
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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.
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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.