Media Education Lab
Sponsored Content as Propaganda
What is sponsored content? Who produces sponsored content? Why? Is it fair or unfair? What are the privacy implications for consumers? To answer these questions, class members view a model screencast before crafting their own that...
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Anti-Railroad Propaganda Poster -- The Growth of Regionalism, 1800 - 1860
Students research the anti-railroad movement of the mid-19th century. They review propaganda from the period and consider various points of view. They develop role-plays and write essays using their research.
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Propaganda in the 1900's
Students examine primary sources to discover information about life in the 20th century. In this propaganda lesson plan, students analyze posters from the time period and present their findings to their classmates.
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Propaganda During World War I
Eighth graders consider how propaganda was used during World War I. In this World War I lesson, 8th graders analyze posters that were used to garner support for World War I. Students use the provided worksheet to analyze the posters.
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On the Home Front
Students list specific actions taken on the home front by non-combatants during World War II, discuss ways students have been and can be involved in a home front war effort, and analyze war posters.
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Ny Secret War: Lesson 10
Fifth graders explore the role of propaganda during the war. For this social studies lesson, 5th graders view various forms of propaganda and design their own propaganda poster.
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Historical Witness: Social Messaging
Students examine the persuasive techniques of leaders. In this propaganda lesson, students discover the practices that Louis XIV and Caligula used to persuade others. Students watch "The Merchants of Cool" and discuss propaganda used...
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War Time Propaganda: American Posters of the Great War
Students identify propaganda related to World War and discuss its impact on society and research issues related to the American war effort between 1914 and 1918.
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Understanding Propaganda Throughout History
The exploration of propaganda can provide a motivating way for students to learn about history.
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Teaching With Documents: Powers of Persuasion - Poster Art of World War II
Young scholars analyze 11 posters from wartime and complete a worksheet. They discuss the similarities and differences between the posters and where the posters might have been posted. Student volunteers from each group present the...
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World War I
Eleventh graders investigate propaganda used during World War I. In this World War I lesson, 11th graders examine propaganda from the war and analyze war posters. Students then create their own propaganda posters on listed topics.
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The Wild, Wild West
Sixth graders research the history of the transcontinental railroad. They use advertising propaganda techniques to design and create a poster encouraging people to explore the West by rail.
PBS
African American History: Honored as Heroes
To gain an understanding of the treatment of African American soldiers during World War I, class members watch an excerpt from the History Detectives film, Our Colored Heroes, and then examine three recruitment posters from that time...
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African Americans in the Civil War
Students examine the contributions of African American soldiers during the Civil War. In pairs, they complete Civil War timeline worksheets. They use character cards to assume the identities of African Americans and determine whether or...
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Cartoon-Truth or Tale
Students examine Nazi propaganda. In this Holocaust lesson, students investigate the power of symbolism as they examine Nazi propaganda cartoons and then create their own cartoons using propaganda regarding current events of their choosing.
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Hemispheric Harmony
Young scholars express their opinion on issues related to Central America. After reading an article, they discuss the relations between the Presidents of Mexico and the United States. Using the internet, they research a part of the...
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The Home Front - "Food Will Win The War"
Students define and identify propaganda. They analyze the multiple sides of an issue (problem resolution skills), then discuss the racial environment of Alabama during World War I. They reate a poster reflecting the concerns of the time...
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The Home Front - "Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do Or Do Without!"
Students examine documents that explore U.S. government advertisements from the WWII era that encouraged people to grow victory gardens, recycle and conserve resources as part of the war effort. They discuss propaganda and design their...
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Japanese American Internment: Examining Racial Tensions
Students discover how racial tension led to Japanese Internment. In this World War II lesson plan, students analyze political cartoons and posters related to the movement of Japanese-Americans to internment camps in the wake of the Pearl...
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Boogie Woogie with a B: Using Alliteration while Exploring Patriotic Tunes
Are you looking for a way to bring writing into your history lesson plan - or history into your writing lesson plan? This cross-curricular activity is helpful and fun, no matter what class you're teaching! Using "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"...
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Laurence of Arabia
High schoolers critically examine the life and contributions of Lawrence of Arabia to the modern Middle East. They view a video on Laurence of Arabia. Students discuss the movie. High schoolers create a propaganda posters or stories...
Echoes & Reflections
Contemporary Antisemitism
Despite the recognized atrocities of the Holocaust, anti-semitism continues. The 11th and final installment of the Teaching the Holocaust series explores the long-term effects of the Holocaust on modern anti-semitism, asking pupils to...
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My Secret War: Lesson 12
Fifth graders explore how the war affected American children. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders discuss how quotes made people feel about the war effort. Students write reflections on their reading.
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What Arkansans Contributed to the WW I War Effort
Young scholars examine the Arkansas as home front support during World War I. They determine why the troops who were overseas during the War were important to those at home. They look at the war effort and locate the area of Arkansas...