"Sketchy" your own political cartoon! (lesson plan)

Lesson Title: Political Cartoons
Designed By: Tara Farmer
Content Area (S): Service Learning
Grade Level: 6-8
SC Curriculum Standards: none available

Overview: After a discussion of local community issues, we discuss political cartoons. The students are given an explanation of the different levels of political cartoons and the different ways that they can convey their idea.

Handheld Software: Sketchy, available at Goknow.com
Other materials or technology needed: handhelds

Essential Questions: 1) Does the cartoon have a foundation in truth? 2) Does the cartoon have a moral purpose? 3) Does the cartoon use wit and humor with exaggeration to send a message about the issue? 4) Is there a clear opinion expressed in the cartoon? 5) Does the cartoon use symbols or metaphors?

Curricular Objectives or Goals: The students should 1) become more aware of local issues and needs, 2) realize that often there is no “easy answer” 3) learn to clearly express their ideas through a cartoon.

Procedures: 1) Choose a local community issue 2) Decide your opinion on the issue 3) Illustrate your opinion/solution to the issue, trying to use metaphors/symbols.

Assessment: A rubric will be developed to assess the effectiveness of the cartoons.