Political Cartoons |
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Overview of Unit:
Four lessons to teach elementary school students to recognize, interpret, and create political cartoons. They will use historical cartoons, Cagle's Index of Political Cartoons, a data base of cartoons on current issues, and editorial cartoons from newspapers. This language arts, history lesson is meant to be taught during a study of the Revolutionary War.
Objectives: Students will be able to:
Materials:
Access to the World Wide Web and to editorial sections in local newspapers
Textbook (Optional) - AMERICA'S STORY by Dr. Richard G. Boehm et al, Harcourt Brace and Company, 1997.
Handouts:
Toon Tic Tac Toe
Political Cartoon Discussion Guide
Preparation:
Before beginning the unit review the Daryl Cagle site and choose a cartoon on a current topic to use with your class. Keep in mind that the cartoons are often updated on this site. The Teacher's Tour of the Index provides a detailed introduction to the site. Remember to bookmark the Teacher Guide to the Professional Cartoon Index <http://www.cagle.com/teacher/> .
Note of Caution: It's important that you check the cartoons carefully for appropriateness of content and concepts relating to the age and ability level of your students. Some of the cartoons may be unacceptable for younger students or may be inappropriate for use in school.
Check the lesson plans available on the site. They were provided by Peg Cagle, Lawrence Middle School, Los Angles Unified School District. Before teaching Lesson 2 review the lesson plans for "Toon Tic Tac Toe" and print the handout. The handout "Political Cartoon Discussion Guide" provided with this lesson is based on Peg's "Editorial Cartoon Analysis".
Review the following elements of Political Cartoons:
The PURPOSE of political cartoons is to make people think about issues of politics and government. They
Some of the TECHNIQUES used by cartoonists to create humor include:
Some EXAMPLES of symbols:
LESSON 1 - Historical Cartoons:
1. Show and discuss Join or Die, a political cartoon published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. (Optional: Read page 235 in AMERICA'S STORY.)
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Background Information:
This is believed to be one of the first political cartoons published in America. Benjamin Franklin created it as a part of the presentation of his "Plan of Union" for the colonies at the Albany Congress in New York in 1754. He believed the colonies had to come together to survive. Each piece of the snake symbolizes one of the colonies. The caption was based on an old tale about snakes. It was said a snake that was cut into pieces would come to life again if it was put back together before sunset. Ben Franklin hoped this cartoon would make the colonial leaders want to unite.
2. Show students the political cartoon about U-Boats from World War I. (Optional: Read pages 527 & 528 in AMERICA'S STORY.)
This cartoon ran in American newspapers in 1916.
Discuss with students the importance of background knowledge (of current events and issues) is when interpreting political cartoons. Tell students the following information and ask the questions again.
Background Information:
Conflict between the Allies (Russia, France, Britain and Italy) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria) exploded into World War I in 1914 but the United States remained neutral. German submarines, called Unterseeboots, or U-boats roamed the seas sinking Allied ships. On May 7, 1915, a U-boat sank the British passenger ship Lusitania. Among the dead were 128 Americans. People in the United States were angry. Some began to believe the United States should enter the war on the side of the Allies. President Wilson hoped to keep the United States neutral.
In the spring of 1917, German leaders said that U-boats would attack all ships in British waters. U-boats then sank three American merchant ships, killing many Americans. President Wilson had finally had enough. On April 2, 1917, he asked Congress to declare war on Germany, saying, "The world must be made safe for democracy."
3. Show students the cartoon caricatures of Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill and a picture of Adolf Hitler.
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Then show students the political cartoon Mein Hot Foot. Bruce Russell drew this cartoon for the Los Angeles Times. It was published in 1942 near the start of World War II.
Mein Hot Foot Large View |
Mein Hot Foot Small View |
Background Information:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) was the President of the United States from 1932 until his death in 1945. He was the only president to be elected to four terms of office. World War II began on September 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Many Americans believed the U.S. should stay out of the war, but when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Roosevelt declared war on Japan. Three days later, Japan's allies, Germany and Italy, declared war on the United States. The United States, Britain and the Soviet Union, called the Allies, worked together to defeat Japan, Germany and Italy, called the Axis powers.
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was Britain's fearless leader during World War II. He inspired the people's resistance against German domination by making himself a link between the British and American people.
Adolph Hitler (1889-1945) was the leader of the German Nazi party and dictator of Germany from 1933 until his suicide death in 1945 at the end of WWII. He first conquered Germany and then most of Europe. He was eventually defeated by the Allied forces, but not before the German nation was destroyed, many other European nations were brought to ruin and 6 million Jews were killed in concentration camps.
5. Compare and contrast the 3 historical cartoons.
LESSON 2: Symbols in Contemporary Cartoons
1. Introduce your students to the Cagle's Index of Political Cartoons.
2. Show and discuss the cartoon you selected and bookmarked.
3. Explain "Toon Tic Tac Toe". Guide the students in finding cartoons that contain the techniques discussed above.
Lesson 3: Current Events Using Cartoons
Use Political Cartoons for current events. Have students collect 1 or 2 political cartoons from newspapers. Have them bring them to class discuss and display on a bulletin board. (Students may also go to the web site of Mike Keefe, political cartoonist for the Denver Post.)
1. Have a display of political cartoons (try to include 2 or more cartoons on the same subject so that a comparison of viewpoints can be made).
2. Review the parts of the newspaper. Identify the section where political cartoons would be found (editorial pages). Review difference between "opinion" and "fact". Remind students that this section of the newspaper is reserved for "opinion" rather than "fact."
3. View two cartoons on the same subject. Lead students in comparing and contrasting the cartoonist's opinions/viewpoints. See discussion questions above.
4. Divide students into small groups. Ask them to present and discuss the cartoons they have collected. Have each group present their most effective cartoon to the class and tell why they chose it.
Have students draw a political cartoon about the Revolutionary War based on their knowledge of the issues and people they have been studying.
1. Review the elements of a political cartoon.
2. Brainstorm possible topics, issues and people significant in the Revolutionary War. Have students select from the list or choose their own topic.
3. Give students drawing paper and have them create cartoons.
4. Share cartoons.
Evaluation:
1. Small group presentations
2. Individual cartoons
Additional Resources:
A lesson plan with additional information about political cartoons and suggestions for activities.
Lesson Plans available online at the Daryl Cagle web site.
A list of links to political cartoon sites from PBS
List of links to political cartoon sites from Yahoo
Web site of Mike Keefe political cartoonist for the Denver Post
Benjamin Franklin Web site
A collection of political cartoons about U-boats and World War I
A large collection of political cartoons about Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Examples of cartoons concerning educational issues.
Written by Linda Overholser.
Created: August 1, 1998
Last Update: August 14, 1998
Web Site Address: http://schools.bvsd.org/coalcreek/early/cartoons.html
