Introduction
POLITICAL CARTOONS WEBQUEST
Opinions are like are like faces--everyone has at least one! Today, we are going to learn about pictures with very strong opinions. These pictures with strong opinions are called POLITICAL CARTOONS.
Political Cartoons can focus on the same subject, yet share different opinions. Look at the political cartoons above and notice which one is pro President Obama and which is anti President Obama.
Political Cartoons are often used to show opinions about public issues and officials. You can find them in the pages of newspapers around the world, current event magazines such as Time, Newsweek and even your textbooks; they appeal to all levels of readers. Cartoonists have a special creative skill that often combines caricatures (exaggerations of people), symbols, satire (poking fun), and knowledge of issues. Often the full meaning of the cartoon is rather complex. That means that someone who just glances at them might miss the point. If you want to really understand the cartoon you need to know more about what kinds of things cartoonists put into their pictures, some idea of the historical events of the time, and, of course, your best tool, your brain.
~Davila Middle
Comics Vs. Political Cartoons
humorinamerica.com
Aren't Comics and Political Cartoons the Same?
There is a difference between the "Sunday funnies" and political cartoons. Remember, a political cartoon is used to communicate about a public issue or official. Its main purpose is to give the artist's opinion about a topic and requires knowledge about current events and history for the reader to get an understanding.
A comic is generally supposed to be funny and could be written about anything. It doesn't even have to pertain to an important issue, just something that the reader may possibly relate to. A comic may not communicate a public issue but still has a message behind it. They are usually easy to understand, not because they use elementary language but because they communicate things that most readers know about.
Task
Political cartoons have made learning history more appealing. This art form dates back toat least the 1500s in European culture, and it is considered an important partof visual expression in much of the Western region. Political cartoons are found on the editorial pages of newspapers and magazines, and they also appear in the comics section, or as separate illustrations.
The media is a thriving force in the world that we live in today. The generation of today is very visual. A political cartoon is an illustration which is designed to convey a social or political message. PolItical cartoons are a great way to learn about history. Authors along with illustrators provide a descriptive and humorous way to engage its readers in enjoying an interesting picture while simultaneously learning.
The goal for students at the end of the webquest is to become comfortable with political cartoons and without doubt analyze them. After reading and identifying political cartoons from history, you will be asked to create your very own political cartoon, relating to any period of history.
Lesson Goals
8.12: evaluate graphics for their clarity in communicating meaning or achieving
a specific purpose
8.13: Reading/Media Literacy. Students use comprehension skills to analyze how
words, images, graphics, and sounds work together in various forms to impact
meaning. Students will continue to apply earlier standards with greater depth
in increasingly more complex texts. Students are expected to:
8.13A evaluate the role of media in focusing attention on events and informing
opinion on issues
8.26A: listen to and interpret a speaker's purpose by explaining the
content, evaluating the delivery of the presentation, and asking questions or
making comments about the evidence that supports a speaker's claims
8.26B: summarize formal and informal presentations, distinguish between facts
and opinions, and determine the effectiveness of rhetorical devices
Fig 19-D: make complex inferences about text and use textual evidence to
support understanding
Fig 19-F: make connections between and across texts, including other media
(e.g., film, play), and provide textual evidenc
Process
HELPFUL TIPS FOR CREATING POLITICAL CARTOONS: When constructing your political cartoon here are a few tips that you should consider before hand. 1. Using captions and titles are helpful. 2. Words and phrases that give background to the topic and overall message keeps reader engaged. 3. Referring back to history, including dates and symbols are helpful 4. Clarity and a strong message or idea should be percieved from the cartoon. The steps to making your very own political cartoon is provided by the in the resource section of this page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSmQp0DLKeU You may draw your cartoon by hand or use TOONDOO or Make Belief Comix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS01eQk_WmU (TOON DOO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoNQfUWWRMk (Make Belief Comix)
Evaluation
Way to go! You have created your very own political cartoon! Great job! You will have a quiz on this next week. Thank you for honoring your deadline.
A political cartoon is an illustration which is designed to convey a social or political message. Political Cartoons should have included the following:A.Captions/Title,Words/Phrases,Dates/Numbers B. Describe the action or situation that is taking place C. Identify the intended audience. D. Political,social, or econmically where is this context derived from. Now that you have learned the step by step method to create, construct, and analyze a poltical cartoon, you should be great at creating political cartoons in the future. Take a second and think about what you learned today. Do you have any questions or comments? How was the experience for you?
Conclusion
Thanks and credit to Ms.Yareell and Mrs. Metzler for allowing me to modify and use some of their ideas.
Thanks to my students for working so diligently and independently!