Cartoon Analysis Lesson Plan

Ashley Clapp

Kelsie LaValley

Tomi Cheney

Grade Level:

Grade 5

Purpose, Background and Context:

This is an introductory lesson into the Revolutionary War. Students will also get an introduction into political cartoons and the purpose they serve.

Goals/Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze political cartoons popularized by the Revolutionary War.
  • Create their own political cartoon depicting a current war

Materials

Washington Crossing the Delaware:

Join, or Die political Cartoon:

Procedures

  1. Show students an image of Washington Crossing the Delaware- Emanuel Leutze: ( Have student discuss the following questions:
  2. What is going on in this image?
  3. What time period is this image from?
  4. Do you recognize anyone in the painting?
  5. What do you notice about the flag? Does the flag look different?
  6. Do you think this is a peaceful time?
  7. Who are these people running from?
  8. Introduce the Revolutionary War period. Clear up any misconceptions. Talk about the image and artist.
  9. Inform students that images are one form of commentary on wars. Political cartoons are also use. Introduce the purpose of political cartoons.
  10. Show students an image of the Join, or Die political cartoon ( Students will ponder the following questions:
  11. What is the message behind this cartoon?
  12. What is the image trying to say?
  13. Why was this cartoon made?
  14. What do you see going on in this cartoon?
  15. Students will discuss their findings with the person sitting next to them.
  16. Pairs will then share their ideas with the whole class. Each group should contribute an idea.
  17. Students will create a political cartoon in their groups on one of the following topics:
  18. Homework
  19. Longer recess
  20. Bullying
  21. No school of Friday
  22. Length of school day/year
  23. Uniforms
  24. Another school related “conflict” students can associate with-school appropriate
  25. Students will share their political cartoons with the class. The class will have a chance to guess the message of the cartoon. After, the groups will share their meaning.

Assessment of Outcomes

  • Observation of group work
  • Rubric for their presentation and political cartoon drawing

Extensions and Adaptions

  • Have students switch political cartoons with another group. Students will analyze this cartoon for its message. Students will then make another cartoon, but with the opposite message (ex. If one group did a cartoon about no homework, then the other group would have to make a cartoon on the importance of homework).