They may choose to be a member of Congress, a member of the Commission of Fine Arts, an architect, a wealthy patron of the arts, a blue-collar worker, etc. Read the student letters aloud to the class and have them try to guess the background of the person writing the letter. View and discuss the sample political cartoons given. Have students draw cartoons that express opinions either for or against the Truman balcony. Display and discuss the completed cartoons.
Political cartoons depend greatly on the viewer's prior knowledge of the subject.
Discuss what information the viewer needs to know to understand each cartoon. View White House photos taken before and after the addition of the balcony. Have class members vote for which they prefer. Ask them to explain why they voted as they did. Discuss with your students other additions that could be made to improve the White House.