Political Cartoons

Suggested Grades

6+

Objective

Students will analyze and interpret political cartoons, then use this knowledge to create their own.

Materials

• political cartoons from newspapers, magazines, and internet (see link below)
• paper and drawing utensils

Method

• Display political cartoons, and ask students to examine the different approaches used by the cartoonist (eg. exagerated physical features, talking animals, etc.), and for what reason they are doing this (eg. irony, satire, criticism).
• Students can then create their own cartoons, either from their imagination or from current events (television, newspaper, magazine, internet).
• Display student work, and have a group discussion with students analyzing each others work.

Additional Resources

Internet Resources

• Teachers' Guide for the Professional Cartoonists Index
  Many political cartoonists' works are highlighted here.
• Bourque NewsWatch Canada
  Links to dozens of on-line newspapers.
• Canoe - Canadian Online Explorer
  News, sports, entertainment, business and finance news.