Last week, my year 8 students spent some time learning about political cartoons, as part of our unit of work on persuasive language and techniques. This is a group of fantastic thinkers, many of them with a wicked sense of humour. They have really enjoyed learning how to read critically and form their own perspective and interpretation.
By far, however, the task they enjoyed most was the opportunity to create their own political cartoons. To start off with, we brainstormed some of the issues that we have been looking at recently, or issues that they were interested in. Some of these included:
- China, Tibet and the Olympics
- Childhood obesity and food advertising
- Changes to AFL rules
- Whaling
- Rights for same-sex couples and their children
- Political correctness in childrens’ television programs
I was really impressed with the range of topics that they generated, and as I walked around the room while they were working, I could see that the cartoons they were producing were far exceeding my expectations. Not only in the quality of their drawing, but also the evident understandings that they had about caricature, satire, parody, perspective, juxtaposition, and many of the other concepts that we had discussed.
One student drew a cartoon entitled ‘Childrens’ TV Overboard’, featuring a slowly sinking Tellytubbie, a great pun and showing excellent understanding of the topics that we had discussed in class (including refugee issues); another, entitled ‘Kevin Rudd’s Working Families’, was composed of two panels. The top one showed a row of very suburban houses, with the bottom panel showing a ‘zoomed in’ view inside the homes: a mother channel surfing, a teenager playing Grand Theft Auto on the computer, and dad lying in the hammock in the backyard with a can of beer. I love their thinking!
I’m now looking at suggesting to some students that they might like to ‘publish’ their cartoons, either by hand or by computer. The National Museum of Australia runs an annual competition for primary and secondary students, which I’ll encourage my students to submit an entry for. The NMA website also contains the recently published Reading Between the Lines unit of work, and an Australia Day Flash Interactive activity.
Image Credit: APEC Fruit by Peter Lewis: NMA Website
Tags: Reflection, Teaching, Cartoons, Critical Literacy
Entries (RSS)
May 5th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I love the idea of using political cartoons in the classroom. I think this medium gives some kids a voice (those satirical brains) in ways that they can’t always quite get at with traditional writing. And it allows you to teach current events, too.
My question: Are there topics that are considered too “hot” or taboo for your students to write about? Anything you steer them away from? And how do you approach those issues?
Thanks
Kevin
May 5th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I meant to add that I am bringing in a graphic artist to my class next week to talk about the Art of Cartooning and I am quite excited about it. He is a published cartoonist, and it will provide an inroad into the upcoming Digital Picture Book Project I do with my students (11 and 12 year olds)
Kevin
May 5th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
@dogtrax Interesting question Kevin, regarding certain topics being ‘off-limits’. In class we have discussed all manner of topics, and these are mostly generated by the students themselves.
We have talked about bullying, advertising, binge drinking among teens, same sex relationships and rights, international issues such as China & Tibet, global warming, and so many more. Keep in mind that my students are a little older than yours, but I have found they have quite a mature approach to most topics, and that the group functions quite well at ‘readjusting’ some of the more ‘out there’ opinions.
Some recent issues have been in the news about sportspeople leading ‘excessive’ lifestyles and doing silly things in the public eye, and we have talked about that too. I’d venture most topics with the students - if we don’t discuss it with them and allow them to develop their opinions and criticisms in a safe environment, who will? Although I would draw the line at topics that discuss violence or abuse, or where I was aware of particular sensitivities among my group.
It’s great that you are having a graphic artist in. I couldn’t get a guest in, but am working with our art department, and have used some online interviews with cartoonists. Looks like I’m moving from cartoons to poetry and you vice-versa.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
You said it right: “if we don’t discuss it with them and allow them to develop their opinions and criticisms in a safe environment, who will? ”
That is the role of educator, although sometimes parents don’t always agree, right?
Thanks for expanding upon your thinking here.
And yes, our trails seem to be in reverse, which is kind of neat.
Have a great day
Kevin