Studying U.S. Elections with Political Cartoons

Summary

Students will analyze historic political cartoons to learn about timeless features of elections within the two-party system.

Rational

Analyzing political cartoons engages students in discussing the features of political party rivalry by focusing on characteristic features of elections from a safe historical distance.

Guiding Question

What characteristic features of political party rivalry are present in elections?

Materials

8 Political Cartoons by Clifford K. Berryman

2 Worksheets

Classes

Civics, U.S. History

Grade Level

7 – 12

Time Required

Two 45 minute class periods.

Learning Activities

Classroom Instructions for the Lesson

1. Set up 4 learning stations. Copy and distribute one copy of each political cartoon at the appropriate station (there should be 2 cartoons at each station). Make one copy of the Analysis Worksheet for each student. Make one copy of the Review Worksheet for each group.
2. Divide the class into 4 groups. Instruct each student to work individually to complete the appropriate worksheet at each of the four stations. When they have completed their individual analysis at each station, have each group discuss their findings within their group before moving on to the next station.
3. Assign each group to begin working at one station. Have the groups rotate until each group has completed its work at all four stations.
4. When the students have finished at all four stations, distribute one copy of the Review Worksheet to each group.
5. When the students in each group have collaboratively answered items on the Review Worksheet, convene a whole class discussion of the review questions.

Distance Learning Instructions for the Lesson

1. Make the cartoons and worksheet available to the students in digital form. Separate the cartoons into the four pairs shown below to ensure that the students know which cartoons go together. Clarify for the students that the pairs of cartoons are referred to as Stations on the lesson materials and that work in the lesson will be completed one station at a time.
2. Organize the students into four groups. Instruct each student to work individually to complete the appropriate worksheet at each station when asked to do so. When the students in a group have completed their individual analysis at a station, instruct the members of each group to discuss their findings within their group before moving on to analyze the pair of cartoons at the next station.
3. Assign each group to begin work at one station. Have the groups continue analyzing and sharing their findings within the group until each group has completed its analysis of all four pairs of cartoons.
4. When the students have finished their work at all four stations, instruct each group to collaboratively respond to each of the questions on the Review Worksheet and record their responses.
5. When the students in each group have collaboratively answered the questions on the Review Worksheet, convene a whole class discussion of the review questions.

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