Curated OER
Analyzing Political Cartoons
Seventh graders identify a political cartoon and analyze a pre-Revolutionary War political cartoon. In this political cartoon lesson, 7th graders discuss cartoons and the historical beginnings of American politics using a PowerPoint...
Curated OER
Political Cartoons and Dr. Seuss
Students study political cartoons by Dr. Seuss. They create their own political cartoons on a current event.
Curated OER
Creating Civic Awareness Through Artistic and Literary Forms
Interpret current events using editorial cartoons and other print media. Middle schoolers explore the meanings of literary and artistic terms such as satire, irony, and caricature. They visit internet sites to develop an understanding of...
Curated OER
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...
Madison Public Schools
Journalism
Whether you are teaching a newspaper unit in language arts, covering the First Amendment and censorship in social studies, or focusing on writing ethics in journalism, a unit based on the foundations of journalism would be an excellent...
Curated OER
The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era
Young scholars explore African American history by researching the Jim Crow laws. In this Civil Rights lesson, students define the Jim Crow laws, the reasons they were put into place, and how they were ultimately defeated. Young scholars...
Curated OER
The Volstead Act and Related Prohibition Documents
Students listen to the 18th Amendment. After a discussion on Prohibition, the groups determine if it was a success or a failure and present their findings to the class. They view political cartoons of the day and analyze their meaning.
Curated OER
Negro Leagues Baseball
Young scholars think critically and creatively while researching Negro Leagues baseball vocabulary terms and producing a political cartoon defining those terms. The research for this activity is done on the internet.
Curated OER
Women's Votes, Women's Voices
Young scholars investigate Women's Suffrage by analyzing images from the past. In this equal rights lesson, students read biographical work about Emma Smith DeVoe, an activist who fought for women's rights. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Philantrophy of the Founding Fathers -- Alive and Well Today
Students discuss the role that individuals have in contributing to society. They develop alternative solutions to problems in their area. They write a paper about what they have discovered.
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson B: Satire
Students explore how satirical news stories, like political cartoons, are meant to poke fun, not to trick people. Students learn to spot satire and understand both the joke and the purpose of this news-related genre.
Read Works
Read Works: Not So Loony Toons
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about how political cartoonists use symbolism, exaggeration, humor, and caricature to comment on current events. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in drawing...