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What Does the Government Do Right?

For Students 8th - 12th
Challenge your class to reevaluate preconceived notions about government with this political cartoon analysis. An image presents a clear example of irony, in which a disgruntled American complains about his government, yet fails to see...
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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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Cartoons for the Classroom: Stand By for Regime Change

For Students 9th - 11th
When Barak Obama was elected president, he was unable to affect change untill the official start date of January 20th. Learners examine this policy, America's need for change, and the duties of the president-elect in a political cartoon...
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Stagflation

For Students 10th - 12th
What is stagflation? Have your social studies class examine this political cartoon to define stagflation and understand recession as its defined in a political context. This activity would be a great warm up activity, perfect for extra...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing Attention to Government Secrecy

For Students 9th - 12th
How much do we know about our government? This engaging topic for teens is made especially interesting through analysis of 2 political cartoons. Background information on Sunshine Week makes the cartoons more accessible, and 3 talking...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Fair Elections?

For Students 9th - 12th
Rigged elections make for both intriguing current events and hilarious political cartoons. In this analysis worksheet, pupils read background information to help them grasp a cartoon about rigged presidential elections in 2007 by Russia,...
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Corporate Profits vs. Jobs

For Students 9th - 12th
Bring the Occupy Movement debate to your classroom. This political cartoon analysis offers a chance for pupils to explore their personal ideas about corporate America and current economic issues. Background information is provided to...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Grinding to a Halt- The U.S. Economy

For Students 9th - 12th
Using gears as a visual metaphor, this political cartoon analysis worksheet gives a clear picture of one artist's perspective on the U.S. economy. Background information helps give pupils access to the cartoon's context, and 3 talking...
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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: Celebrating the 19th Amendment

For Students 10th - 12th
Eighty-eight years after women earned the right to vote, a women ran for president. Young analysts consider the role women play in politics, how they are portrayed, the standards they are held to, and if they are still treated unfairly...
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Campaign Ad Critique

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze current campaign TV ads and literature. They identify the ad by "type." They learn to look beyond the ad to understand its intended purposes and its real content.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Unemployment that Just Won't Quit

For Students 9th - 12th
It's an economic Catch-22! Expose your scholars to the hiring/unemployment paradox using this political cartoon analysis worksheet. The cartoon shows corporations explaining to a job seeker that they cannot hire him due to the unstable...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Dogging the Dems

For Students 9th - 12th
Political cartoons add an element of fun as your scholars study current events in Washington D.C. This analysis handout uses two cartoons to bring learners into discussion about the many issues democrats have concern over as November...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Google vs. China

For Students 9th - 12th
Censorship remains a hot topic among teens. Evoke heated discussion with this political cartoon analysis handout, which features 2 cartoons focused on China's internet censorship. Background information gives pupils a brief description...
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McCarthyism: 60 Years Later

For Students 9th - 12th
Explore legendary cartoonist Herb Block's bold challenge of McCarthy-era politics through this analysis activity. Two cartoons are included, along with talking points to prompt analysis and background information to help pupils "read...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Interpreting the "Tank Man" Symbol

For Students 9th - 12th
The iconic image of the Tank Man is imitated in this political cartoon analysis, in which learners examine a cartoon depicting a similar standoff. The original image is pictured, and learners compare it to a more modern cartoon of the...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Joseph Wilson Accuses the President

For Students 9th - 12th
Get a fun discussion going with this current events worksheet, which has scholars analyzing 2 political cartoons about an incident in 2009, when Congressman Joseph Wilson accused President Barack Obama of lying during a speech....
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Teaming Up on Health Care

For Students 9th - 12th
Use this political cartoon handout to help pupils understand the role the Blue Dog Coalition plays with regard to Health Care Reform. Football is used metaphorically to represent a player (Blue Dogs) tackling someone on his team (Obama)....
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Berryman, Roosevelt, and the Teddy Bear

For Students 8th - 12th
Do your historians know the story behind the teddy bear? Background information clues learners in to the context of a political cartoon, which depicts Teddy Roosevelt on his famous hunting trip. They will read about renown cartoonist...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Who Drew it Best?

For Students 9th - 12th
Assess the Cash for Clunkers program with your scholars through 3 political cartoons, which they will analyze to determine who drew it best. Background information helps pupils gain context to assess the cartoons, and 3 talking points...
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Cartoons in the Classroom: The Stimulus Package

For Students 11th - 12th
A large pig labeled "Stimulus Package" wrapped in an American flag is the primary image on this political cartoon. Ready for analysis, this worksheet provides learners with the opportunity to understand the pros and cons of US spending...
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Cartoons for the Classrooms: Wall Street

For Students 9th - 12th
Open up an intriguing dialogue about Wall Street controversy using political cartoons! Background information gives context, including quotes from various newspapers about compensation caps, bonuses, and the growing disenchantment with...
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Cartoons for the Classrooms: Wall Street Financial Meltdown

For Students 9th - 12th
Combine two current events (2008) in one political cartoon. This handout examines the Large Hadron Collider, a scientific invention that caused a sudden fear of black holes, and the financial meltdown on Wall Street. Background...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Social Commentary

For Students 9th - 12th
Expose your class to the genre of political cartoons less concerned with serious political issues. This political cartoon analysis handout features social commentary on the many entertainments of youth, ironically paired with their...