Propagandists have many tools at their disposal to influence thinking and behavior. Among the most powerful are the visual tools, posters designed to grab the attention and stir the emotions of viewers. Check out this collection of...

Eighth graders create a propaganda poster. In this US history lesson students research the various sides during the Mexican-American War. They present their poster and their position for or against the war.

After thoroughly examining the purposes and techniques of propaganda, your class will create and curate a Propaganda Museum to display and deconstruct original works of propaganda. Materials include propaganda techniques vocabulary, a...

Working in teams, pairs, or individually, scholars select one resource from a gallery of historical sources and consider which examples might be considered propaganda, the techniques used to persuade audiences, and evaluate how the...

High schoolers assess persuasive techniques in propaganda. They identify and critique rhetorical devices in primary source documents (sources are not specified, but links to sites that contain various documents are included). Groups make...

Students investigate the different types of propaganda. In this media analysis lesson, students define and investigate the various types of media propaganda. Students observe how advertisements may not show how the item advertised may...

Students examine the types of propaganda used throughout World War II. In groups, they view examples of different posters and artwork used to identify the human emotions the government was trying to appeal through. They develop their...

This propaganda PowerPoint provides an overview of propaganda techniques used in advertising and provides information to the audience in order to make informed decisions. The propaganda techniques included are bandwagon, testimonial,...

Students examine examples of war propaganda.  In this historical literature lesson, students research the elements of propaganda in relation to various wars of the past.  They discuss different types of propaganda, and the...

Fifth graders explore world history by participating in a class game. For this propaganda lesson, 5th graders identify Madeline Beck and the role women played during World War II. Students create fictitious propaganda posters and...

Are you looking for a collaborative and fun way to teach persuasion? This could be a great resource for you! After reviewing advertising techniques and searching for examples of propaganda, have your class create and present their own...

Ninth graders study different types of propaganda and select an issue that is significant to them.  In this exploratory lesson students design and create posters on the topic of their choice and write a narrative describing it. 

Advertisers know how to use persuasive techniques to create powerful visuals that inform and influence others. Class members examine these techniques and then demonstrate their knowledge as they craft posters, flyers, collages, etc. for...

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...

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...

Students consider the implications of dogfighting. For this character education lesson, students examine propaganda in advertising and then create their own anti-dogfighting advertisements.

Few aspects of life make better fodder for a comedic play than politics. A study guide introduces George Bernard's Shaw comedy Arms and the Man. Along with summaries of each scene and brief biographies of the main characters, two lesson...

Students examine Nazi propaganda. In this Holocaust instructional activity, students investigate the power of symbolism as they examine Nazi propaganda cartoons and then create their own cartoons using propaganda regarding current events...

Art forms, especially government-sponsored "poster art", very effectively conveyed specific cultural values during World War II. Understanding the role that visual images play in expressing issues and ideas is critical to developing...

High schoolers, in groups, design a war participation campaign for a specific audience during WWII. They design posters and prepare an oral presentation for the class.

Eleventh graders search an online database for World War I posters, newspapers, magazines and other media. They write an essay about public sentiment of the time based on the research.

Students summarize the reasons why the U.S. entered World War 2. They view a video on the bombing of Pearl harbor, construct a timeline of WWII events, and evaluate propaganda posters to create their analysis of the start of U.S....

What skills are necessary to interact with different types of text? Twenty-first century learners live in a digital world and must develop a whole new set of skills to develop media literacy. Class members engage in a series of...