This qualitative study examined the written responses of 58 undergraduate, preservice teachers in three online children's literature courses to the graphic novel, When stars are scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Findings from a summative content analysis of participants' written responses showed five response themes: Connections…

The role of literacy in social studies education has been greatly elevated over the last decade. The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) models through the indicators of its C3 Framework how to strengthen K-12 students' disciplinary thinking, literacy, and argumentation skills in the four core social studies disciplines: civics,…

The authors explore how graphic novels can be used in the middle and high school social studies classroom to teach human rights. The article begins with a rationale on the benefits of using graphic novels. It next focuses on four graphic novels related to human rights issues: "Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds" (Speigelman…

Sixth-grade students are challenged in understanding social studies content relevant to particular contexts, then connecting the content and context to their contemporary lives while communicating new knowledge to peers and teachers. Using political cartoons published after September 11, 2001, one sixth-grade social studies teacher designed…

This article examined the value of using nonfiction graphic novels as historical narratives in the social studies curriculum. Preservice teachers evaluated several graphic novels and identified attributes of graphic novels that could contribute to students' development of historical thinking and understanding of multiple perspectives. Despite the…

The article discusses how a social science teacher can successfully use the political cartoon in the classroom. (Author/RM)

Presents an instructional model for teaching primary students to understand current affairs through instruction on how to analyze political cartoons so they can identify the key concepts and relationships that are depicted. Discusses goals to be attained and the use of semantic mapping. Describes the instructional strategy, including a student…

Researchers have noted that one of the key skills critical to proficient teaching is verbal questioning. With teachers asking about 300 to 400 questions per day and, depending on the type of lesson, as many as 120 questions per hour, it is essential that they be skilled in using verbal questioning. Unfortunately, researchers studying teachers' use…

Presents an annotated bibliography of more than 30 sources of political cartoons from past and present cartoonists. Titles include "Comic Art in America"; "Herblock's Special for Today"; "Best Editorial Cartoons"; "The Cartoon History of the American Revolution"; "The Cartoon History of Britain";…

Discusses the uses of political cartoons in the classroom, and presents a list of skills which must be acquired by students to allow them to master cartoon interpretation. Illustrates how to recognize the use of caricature and identify symbolism and includes a bibliography of political cartoon sources and uses. (GEA)

Presents a page from a booklet developed as part of a curriculum development project. Discusses some ideas for analysis of graphics arts. Examines maps, cartoons, illustrations, and photography. Warns against accepting that which is represented as the whole truth. Describes the imagery and cultural influences to be analyzed in maps and cartoons in…

Stating that political cartoons offer an instructional strategy that helps to define the significance and meaning of historical facts, the authors discuss the teaching of ideas by interpreting pictures and illustrates the selection of cartoons for classroom use. Makes recommendations on how to plan instruction employing cartoons and examines…

Traces the history of political cartoons in the United States from the first (Benjamin Franklin's "Unite or Die") in 1754 to the present. Discusses three requirements for effective cartoons, and identifies important cartoonists and their work. Characterizes political cartoons as one of the United States' liveliest, most enjoyable, and…