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Cartoons for the Classroom: Inspiration from the Classics

For Students 11th - 12th
Even cartoonists can take inspiration from the masters. Learners will learn about Fuseli's The Nightmare and compare it to the cartoon it inspired. They'll analyze the cartoon in relation to the original piece as well as the political...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Bipartisan Filibusters

For Students 11th - 12th
There is no doubt many changes or lack of changes are due to bipartisanism in the capital. Learners analyze a political cartoon that describes the issues surrounding changes to the current health care system, and consider whether...
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Worksheet
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Comics for the Classroom: Debt Ceiling

For Students 10th - 11th
Upper graders examine the clichés that accompany this political cartoon, depicting how various people handle the national debt. They review several clichés quoted in recent times and write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of each. 
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Lesson Plan
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Political Cartoon Analysis Guide

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Political cartoons are very clever, and often have deep meanings. This worksheet has learners consider a political cartoon. Next, they answer four questions regarding the cartoon. A very clever and effective teaching resource.
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom

For Students 8th - 11th
Political cartoons have been used to decades. What do they symbolize? Why use a political cartoon instead of an editorial piece? Look at the two political cartoons illustrated here and analyze them as a class or in pairs. Consider...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Unemployment

For Students 9th - 12th
It's the classic paradox in this political cartoon analysis; any jobs plan requires extra government spending. However, the unemployed aren't willing to concede to more federal spending for what they want most, jobs. Background...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Campaigns and Gas Pains

For Students 9th - 12th
Even before they are driving, your scholars have heard the ups and downs of gas prices. Assess the political turmoil behind rising prices using this analysis handout, which features a political cartoon from 2006. Background information...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Distracted Drivers

For Students 9th - 12th
How do your learners feel about texting while driving? Two political cartoons display the issue using humor, and background information gives a more serious coverage of the dangers and legislation involved. Three talking points drive...
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Worksheet
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"Big Three" Bailouts

For Students 9th - 12th
What does your class think about big business bailouts by the U.S. Government? Find out with this activity, where learners analyze a political cartoon comparing the "Big Three" automakers with the Greek Myth of Sisyphus. Background...
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Worksheet
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Borrowing from the Greek Debt

For Students 9th - 12th
Use political cartoons to help your class understand the European Debt Crisis and visual symbolism. This analysis handout includes two cartoons depicting the crisis and prompts learners to consider possible symbols and allusions to best...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Obama as the New Sisyphus

For Students 9th - 12th
Reveal how Greek Mythology can play into American politics through this political cartoon, where President Obama is depicted as Sisyphus. Background information gives scholars access to the cartoon's context, and three talking points...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Timely vs. Timeless

For Students 8th - 12th
In this historical events instructional activity, students analyze a political cartoon about bank failure and respond to 2 talking point questions.
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Lesson Plan
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Immigration Debates in the Era of "Open Gates"

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young social historians examine immigration debates of the early 20th century through primary sources, such as political cartoons. They analyze the material, discuss their findings, and complete a critical thinking worksheet. All...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Geographic Inspiration

For Students 10th - 12th
A wonderfully graphic cartoon entices learners to read more about issues near the Arabian Peninsula. They will use the provided cartoon and critical thinking question to practice building their analytical and critical thinking skills....
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Great Expectations

For Students 11th - 12th
Learners can use this activity to discuss the expectations placed on the Obama presidency. Included are two cartoons to analyze, a web site to visit, several great discussion questions, and a short activity. This is one activity that...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Gas Pains Again

For Students 10th - 12th
The price of gas has increased around the country, and many political cartoons, such as this one, have used humor to get people thinking about it. With the help of three very good critical thinking prompts, learners will analyze a...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Dems and dat dang debt

For Students 10th - 12th
Warm up the class with this political cartoon analysis. They use the provided guiding questions to analyze a cartoon depicting issues of debate regarding Federal debt. Critical thinking is a must with this worksheet.
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Why are Cartoonists Vital to Democracy

For Students 11th - 12th
A thought-provoking activity doesn't prompt learners to analyze a political cartoon, but rather the importance of political cartoonists in general. They work together and discuss the role cartoonists play in the democratic system. Use...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Doves, Flags, and Bombs

For Students 9th - 11th
A political cartoon is timely and thought-provoking. Learners analyze the symbolism found in the cartoon as it relates to current tensions between North and South Korea. Three in-depth analysis questions guide and stimulate class...
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Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Recession Puts our Patients to the Test

For Students 10th - 12th
Cartoons for the classroom has put out another great worksheet intended to get upper graders thinking. They analyze a political cartoon regarding economic recovery and President Obama. Three great discussion questions and a web link make...
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Lesson Plan
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Political Cartoons: Literacy

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Readers decode and deconstruct political cartoons to heighten critical thinking, extra-textual literacy, and making meaning from symbolism and metaphor. A compatible activity to use in English class when your 8th or 11th graders are...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Obama's Baggage

For Students 9th - 12th
Add a little humor to the current happenings of Washington D.C. using this political cartoon analysis handout. A quote serves as context to help learners access the featured cartoon, which depicts President Obama climbing a "reality...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Invasion of the Superdelegates

For Students 9th - 12th
What are superdelegates? Use this political cartoon analysis handout to explore this informal term with your scholars. Background information gives brief context to help high schoolers examine the featured cartoon, and three talking...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Politics of Change

For Students 8th - 12th
Empty rhetoric in Washington timelessly inspires political cartoons. Examine this concept through an analysis handout, which features a cartoon by Pat Oliphant (archived work is linked for possible extension activities). Although this...