1. Home
  2. Educational Resources
  3. Teacher Lesson Plans
  4. Using Photographs and Cartoons to Teach About Eleanor Roosevelt

Using Photographs and Cartoons to Teach About Eleanor Roosevelt

Lesson Author
Gardner, John F.
Course(s)
U. S. History
Virginia History
Required Time Frame
two 45 minute classes
Subject(s)
Women's History
Grade Level(s)
11
Lesson Abstract
Using Photographs and Cartoons to teach Eleanor Roosevelt's Role as First Lady and Adviser to the President
Description

The class will read the essay “The Roosevelts as a Political Team”

The class will watch video segment on Eleanor Roosevelt

The class will view and analyze selected photographs and cartoons depicting Eleanor’s role as First Lady and an advisor

Rationale (why are you doing this?)

Students need to know the importance of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and how Eleanor Roosevelt played a significant role in implementing his policies.

Lesson Objectives - the student will

  • Interpret political cartoons

  • Learn about aspects of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal

  • Eleanor Roosevelt’s role as First Lady

District, state, or national performance and knowledge standards/goals/skills met

Virginia Standard of Learning VUS.10d

The student will demonstrate knowledge of key domestic events of the 1920s and 1930s by

d) describing how Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal relief, recovery, and reform measures addressed the Great Depression and expanded the government’s role in the economy.

Secondary materials (book, article, video documentary, etc.) needed

Freedman, Russell. Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery. New York: Clarion Books, 1993.  Chapter 8  “A President’s Wife”   (Document is attached.)

Smith, Steve.  “The Roosevelts as a Political Team” November 12, 2014 http://www.americanradioworks.org/segments/the-roosevelts-as-a-poltical-team/

 

Primary sources

Cartoon and photo analysis worksheet  

  • https://www.archives.gov/files/education/lessons/worksheets/photo_analysis_worksheet.pdf

  • https://www.archives.gov/files/education/lessons/worksheets/photo_analysis_worksheet.pdf

Primary sources needed (document, photograph, artifact, diary or letter, audio or visual recording, etc.) needed

 

  • https://carlanthonyonline.com/2013/10/13/honoring-the-first-lady-of-the-world-in-cartoons/

  • Herblock, “Political Cartoon of ER,” Stevenson Library Digital Collections, accessed June 16, 2017, http://omekalib.bard.edu/items/show/1541.

  • https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=dHvaTush&id=A534A3A8A3D01BBB099E17E301AA91BA75354353&thid=OIP.dHvaTushF4VPFtYwMLXEkgEsDv&q=eleanor+visiting+troops+in+wwII&simid=608014246581505947&selectedIndex=11&ajaxhist=0

  • http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=33

  • https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9c/72/26/9c7226a087105487cd485919c04a763c.jpg

  • http://i0.wp.com/carlanthonyonlinedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/the-famous-new-yorker-cartoon-referencing-eleanor-roosevelts-numerous-inspections-of-working-conditions-in-coal-mines.jpg?resize=684%2C719

  • http://framework.latimes.com/2011/06/24/eleanor-roosevelt-in-l-a/

  • https://www.pinterest.com/pin/224617100140394648/

  • https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222576406559442603/

  • https://www.pinterest.com/Glasgowrose/eleanor-roosevelt/

 

 

Technology Required

Computer to show video and cartoons and photographs

Fully describe the activity or assignment in detail. What will both the teacher and the students do?

Students will read two articles detailing her role as First Lady. After reading the articles, there will be a short discussion period about the material to determine that all students understand Mrs. Roosevelt’s role.

Sample discussion questions:

  • Why did Eleanor give so many speeches, appear on radio programs, and write newspaper columns?

  • For what groups of Americans did she advocate?

  • How did Franklin and Eleanor work together?  Do you think this strategy was effective?  Why or why not?

  • Why was Eleanor a controversial figure?

  • Eleanor called herself an agitator.  What evidence can you state to show she was effective?  

  • After concluding the discussion, the teacher will model an analysis of a photograph or a cartoon.

Assessment: fully explain the assessment method in detail or create and attach a scoring guide

As an assessment for understanding and practice in writing a thematic essay, students will write an essay:

One of the readings stated that Eleanor Roosevelt became Franklin’s “eyes and ears.”  What do you think this means?  Use information that you learned from the readings the video and analyses of the photographs and cartoons.

A sample rubric is attached.

Thematic Essay Rubric

Score of 5:

  • Shows a thorough understanding of the theme or problem

  • Addresses all aspects of the task

  • Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare and/or contrast issues and events

  • Richly supports the theme or problem with relevant facts, examples, and details

in a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization

  • Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

 

 Score of 4:

  • Shows a good understanding of the theme or problem

  • Addresses all aspects of the task

  • Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare and/or contrast issues and events

  • Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but may not support all aspects of the theme evenly

  • Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization

  • Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

 

 Score of 3:

  • Shows a satisfactory understanding of the theme or problem

  • Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way

  • Shows an ability to analyze or evaluate issues and events, but not in any depth

  • Includes some facts, examples, and details

  • Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization

  • Introduces the theme or problem by repeating the task and concludes by repeating the theme or problem

 

Score of 2:

  • Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem

  • Attempts to address the task

  • Develops a faulty analysis or evaluation of issues and events

  • Includes few facts, examples, and details, and may include information that contains Inaccuracies

  • Is a poorly organized essay, lacking focus

  • Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

 

 Score of 1:

  • Shows a very limited understanding of the theme or problem

  • Lacks an analysis or evaluation of the issues and events

  • Includes little or no accurate or relevant facts, examples, or details

  • Attempts to complete the task, but demonstrates a major weakness in organization

  • Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

 

Score of 0

  • Fails to address the task, is illegible, or is a blank paper