Thirty-five college and high school educators will attend the National Teacher Training Institute at the World History Center at Northeastern University this July. They'll become the first teacher-trainers who'll shape the new AP course and guide its introduction into high schools around the world. It's really exciting to see the caliber of teachers and their commitment to a whole new field of teaching. But William Ray Heitzmann considers election 2000 a unique opportunity to use political cartoons to challenge students to think critically. Elementary students, for instance, can look at a caricature of a popular figure, compare it with a photo to see what's been exaggerated, and discuss whether the caricature is positive or negative.
Older students can learn how cartoonists use visual shorthand.
All students recognize corporate logos, but far fewer know that the donkey and elephant represent political parties. Heitzmann also suggests giving students a cartoon without a caption and letting them write one. Such an exercise can help build student interpretive skills. Politicians have focused on an issue that they think appeals to voters. Public schools are in great danger.