Lesson Plan
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Editorial Cartoons

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Do your classes love reading and drawing cartoons? Middle schoolers read an editorial cartoon from a newspaper. They discuss the cartoonist's topic, audience, and purpose. Next, they brainstorm questions they have about the cartoon and...
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The Gulf Oil Disaster

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the Gulf oil spill of 2010. In this global issues lesson plan, students analyze political cartoons related to the crisis. Students discuss their impressions of the crisis and U.S. energy policies.
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The U.S. in Afghanistan: Analyzing Political Cartoons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers take a closer look at the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. In this global issues lesson, students analyze political cartoons related to the War on Terror. High schoolers discuss their impressions of the war and then create...
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Fine Tuning a Nation: Using Cartoons

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students examine political cartoons to gain an understanding of the political issues that George Washington faced. In this historical perspectives lesson, students analyze political cartoons about the National Bank, the title presidents,...
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Watchdogs

For Students 10th - 12th
Use this political cartoon as a class warm up or discussion starter. Upper graders examine the role of newspapers as government watchdogs. Items for consideration are available, alongside a vivid cartoon.
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: All Eyes on the Iowa Caucus

For Students 9th - 12th
Explore the primary elections through political cartoons. Three talking points guide deeper thinking as pupils analyze a cartoon, which depicts the 2008 campaigning in Iowa. Analysts identify caricatures, research why winning Iowa is...
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: General Motors Bailout

For Students 9th - 12th
Bestow background in big business bailouts on your scholars with this political cartoon analysis handout. Two cartoons focus on the General Motors bankruptcy, and its effect on American taxpayers. Background information gives context for...
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The assassination of the Archduke: Exploring Perspectives

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Use political cartoons for a multiple-perspectives strategy, as pupils learn about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. After an anticipatory discussion, they are split into 2 groups. The class reads a primary source account...
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Energy Crisis: Then and Now

For Teachers 8th - 12th
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...
Worksheet
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Leaks and Gossip: Examining WikiLeaks Through Political Cartoons

For Students 9th - 12th
Use political cartoons to spice up a discussion on national security! Two cartoons, one by Normal Rockwell in 1948, the other a parody of Rockwell's by Chuck Asay in 2010, depict the dangers of leaking information. Background information...
Worksheet
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Fossil Fuels and the Debt Crisis: Political Cartoons

For Students 9th - 12th
Wondering what dinosaurs have to do with the debt crisis? This analysis handout includes two political cartoons using dinosaur metaphors, and prompts pupils to consider the symbolism to understand the cartoonist's point. You may want to...
Lesson Plan
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Writing Prompts: Political Cartoons

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students select a cartoon to present to the class. They study it for a few minutes, write a list of questions about the cartoon. Students answer each others' questions and change the questions to declarative statements which are used as...
Lesson Plan
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Political Cartoons

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine a variety of historical cartoons. They recognize a political cartoon and identify the main idea, symbolism, exaggeration and caricature in political cartoons. Students analyze a political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin.
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Wilson's 14 Points

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze political cartoons representing the role of the U.S. in the Post-World War One Era. They work in groups and analyze cartoons for their stereotypes, symbols, and caricatures. After analyzing them, they complete a...
Lesson Plan
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Don't Lose Your Way in the News

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore language arts by participating in a newspaper analysis activity. In this journalism lesson plan, students identify how newspapers present stories, who is writing them and how they can obtain information from...
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Elements of Messages

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine media messages. In this media awareness lesson, students analyze political cartoons and identify the literary elements they incorporate. High schoolers also use the Media Elements Handout to identify the elements...
Worksheet
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Cartoon Questions

For Students 8th - 12th
Political cartoons serve as primary source documents in a short, straightforward history assignment. After viewing two cartoons on the Monroe Doctrine, learners answer several comprehension questions about the circumstances depicted in...
Lesson Plan
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Interpreting Political Cartoons in the History Classroom

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students analyze political cartoons. In this historical perspectives lesson, students use the provided cartoon analysis worksheet to examine the political cartoons that their instructor shares with them.
Lesson Plan
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Political Cartoons of Political Machines: New Your City

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover details about political machine bosses. In this political cartoon lesson, students use the provided political cartoon analysis worksheet to analyze cartoons of Boss Tweed. Students then compose essays about the...
Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Cartoon Analysis Worksheet

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events activity, students analyze political cartoons of their choosing and respond to 12 analysis questions about the cartoons
Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: How Matt Davies Carries a Toon

For Students 8th - 12th
For this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons by Matt Davies. Students respond to 2 talking point questions.
Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Pitfalls of Democratic Elections

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about democratic elections that go bad. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Visual Clichés

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, learners analyze political cartoons featuring the use of clichés. Students respond to 2 talking point questions.
Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Comforting the Afflicted

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about defending those who cannot defend themselves. Students respond to 4 talking point questions.