Lesson Plan
Ohio Content Standards:
- Grade 10 - History 3, 9f & 10a, Economics 1, 2, 4 & 5
- Grade 11 - Economics 11, 12 & 13
- Grade 12 - Economics 1, 3, 6 & 7, Government 1 & 2, Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities 7
Duration of Lesson:
One class period - 50 minutes
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify the perceived role of political parties during the depression, the programs used for recovery, and the resistance to change of the Great Depression Era.
- Students will identify the cartoonists' intentions and evaluate the effectiveness of each cartoon's message.
- Students will be able to identify the themes within political cartoons of the Great Depression Era.
Summary:
By example, the teacher will demonstrate the identification of central themes in political cartoons. Students will then find themes in a set of political cartoons from the Great Depression Era.
Materials:
Editorial cartoons 1-8 with publishing information and accompanying copies (for teacher)
Great-Depression-Themes-Worksheet.pdf
Editorial cartoons 1-8 without publishing information (for students)
Pre-Assessment:
Teachers should use these questions to facilitate a class discussion.
- Explain assignment using "The Bulwark" by Dormantt Smith as an example.
- Discuss themes that are shown in "The Bulwark" (ex. Strength of the AFL union).
- Write on overhead or smartboard.
Instructional Steps:
- Hand out Great Depression Themes Worksheet
- Complete pre-assessment activity.
- Place students in groups of four.
- Hand out cartoon packet.
- Students will complete Great Depression Themes Worksheet using the cartoon packet.
Post-Assessment:
- Discussion on Great Depression Themes Worksheet, have students defend their positions.
- Grade Great Depression Themes Worksheet
Cartoons:
Brothers in Distress
Helping Uncle Fish
Now Then, Sail On, O Ship of State
The Bulwark
See the Pretty Banner
But the Old Tree Was a Mighty Good Producer