Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To War or Not To War!

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the various types of propaganda used during World War II. In groups, they make notes on each example and determine why they believe the opinion of the United States involvement in the war changed. They share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaders in a Media Age

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify ways in which the president can use various media to communicate his messages and intent. They demonstrate ways in which the news media can create public opinion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virginia In the World: The Geography of Commerce

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how Virginia connects with the world through export trade. Using a map, they use symbols to depict the value of trade and the direction of the flow of goods. They complete a scavenger hunt using electronic almanacs and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Household Names

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the accomplishments of famous New Yorkers in the 19th century. In small groups, students read biographies and match them with a corresponding primary source document. The group that is most accurate in matching the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cost of Progress

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the cost of progress from the 1500's to the 1800's around the world and create informative websites based upon their research. This lesson is intended for a high school World History class and uses the Keynote...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Character of Maine?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars create an individual portfolio using assignments from a unit on the character of Maine. They choose two of the best assignments from each of four chapters studied and then write an essay or create a magazine which...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Shot Heard Around the World

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the events leading up to the beginning of the Revolutionary War. In groups, they put the events into chronological order and create a timeline. As a class, they discuss the reprecussions of the Stamp Act,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First Ladies

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare two First Ladies. In this American history lesson, students read speeches given by Barbara Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Students respond to questions about the speeches.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who To Believe?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students interpret meaning from opposing views on the same topic, and discuss that there is often so much "spin" and "hidden agendas" in the media.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Political Cartoons: Finding Point of View

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
A careful analysis of political cartoons can provide a glimpse into key moments of U.S. political history. In this activity, students will closely examine political cartoons about the Stamp Act; make inferences about the political,...
Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Political Cartoons and Debates

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A rich Web resource from the Library of Congress for lesson plans that require researching historic political cartoons and utilizing primary source documents.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Political Cartoon Analysis

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Students will review and discuss how to evaluate the symbols and related meanings of political cartoons. The project will involve analyzing a current political cartoon, determining its meaning, and presenting the information to the class.
eBook
US National Archives

National Archives: Representing Congress: Clifford Berryman's Political Cartoons

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Political cartoons have informed the public and sparked debate throughout history. This ebook contains political cartoons pertaining to Congress. Students will understand the powers and responsibilities of Congress by analyzing these...
Lesson Plan
Newspapers in Education

Ni Eonline: Cartoons for the Classroom: Lessons Library

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Newspapers in Education and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists publish simple, inventive lesson plans and ideas for classes in editorial cartooning, caption writing, and news analysis. Lessons include "cartoon blanks" that...
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Political Bosses

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation, students examine a political cartoon, a muckraker text, and the defense of a political boss to...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Libraries:drawing From Life: Caricatures and Cartoons

For Students 9th - 10th
A website dedicated to displaying a selection of political cartoons and caricatures from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Includes biographies of many famous cartoonists and commentaries on the cartoonist's style and interests.
Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Opper Project: Using Editorial Cartoons to Teach History (Lesson Plans)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Two dozen lessons that focus on using political cartoons as primary source resources for teaching American history. Lessons cover a range of topics in U.S. history from the Civil War era forward and are linked to Ohio content standards.
Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Opper Project: Using Editorial Cartoons to Teach History (Lesson Plans)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Two dozen lessons that focus on using political cartoons as primary source resources for teaching American history. Lessons cover a range of topics in U.S. history from the Civil War era forward and are linked to Ohio content standards.
Graphic
Library of Congress

Loc: Editorial Cartoons by Ann Telnaes

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An exhibit at the Library of Congress tracing the career of Pulitzer prize-winning political cartoonist Ann Telnaes.
Lesson Plan
Other

Dirksen Congressional Center: Political Cartoon Analysis

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This instructional activity, designed for students in grades 10-12, will develop an understanding of the messages that political cartoons communicate with readers. They will examine political cartoon primary sources as they investigate...
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Philippine American War

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students to examine how advocates and critics of American...
Unknown Type
Newspapers in Education

Ni Eonline: Cartoons for the Classroom: Cartoon Analysis Worksheet [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Newspapers in Education and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists developed this worksheet as a classroom handout to aid lessons in dissecting the visual and verbal messages of political cartoons.
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Thomas Nast

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry activity allows students to analyze two cartoons drawn by Thomas Nast, and to...
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Library of Congress: Media Gallery | Women's Suffrage

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection of primary source documents from the Library of Congress supports teaching about women's suffrage in the United States. These primary sources include images, song sheets, articles, statistical documents, maps, political...