Herblock and Editorial Cartooning Directions: Review this Herblock editorial cartoon, as well as those featured on the classroom poster. Read the following passage and answer the questions.

1. After reviewing the cartoon “IT’S STILL A REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT—THEY REPRESENT US” and reading the above passage on Herb Block, what is the main message of this cartoon?

2. Compare the cartoon above with another Herblock cartoon of your choice. Are similar elements used? Are the cartoons similar in style? Do the two cartoons contain the same message? If so, how? If not, what is the message being addressed in the second cartoon?

3. Why could this cartoon be controversial? Who would support it and who would not?

Herb Block (1909–2001)In his 72 years of work, Herb Block, better known as “Herblock,” the Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial cartoonist, fearlessly chronicled and commented on some of the most controversial times in our history, such as World War II, McCarthyism, Watergate, and the Vietnam War. Drawing primarily for The Washington Post, he used cartoons to question government and its inner workings, denounce greed and consumption, as well as vocalize the needs of the working class. The Herb Block Foundation was created to uphold the ideals of democracy, combat discrimination, and fight against abuses of power.

Name

Worksheet A H

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2000

Drawing DemocracyDirections: Create a short list of four to five words that relate to the term democracy with your group. Research a primary document that describes or references the democratic process. Agree on two threats to democracy that are apparent today either globally or locally, e.g., voting restrictions, women’s rights, or wage disparities. Use the space below to write out your list.

Threats to Democracy:

Choose a threat to democracy as discussed in your small group. In the space below reference your primary source document and create an individual editorial cartoon illustrating and commenting on this threat.

Name

Worksheet B

Worksheet C

1955

Educational PolicyDirections: Using the space below, analyze the featured Herblock cartoon, “An Apple For The Teacher.” Pinpoint the issues the cartoon addresses. How are they similar to the issues affecting current policy?

Name Class/Period

Worksheet D

Where Does All the Money Go?Directions: You receive a yearly school budget of $11,000 per student. Based on how many students attend your school, create a budget for the following categories:

Follow-up: Create a proposal illustrating this new budget. This proposal can take the form of a collage, mock advertisement, written argument, or art piece.

Category

Facilities

Transportation

Energy

Health and Safety

Instruction

Curriculum

Food Services

Library Services

Counseling

School Leadership

Amount Allocated Notes (Why have you allocated this amount?)

1977 1955

Name Class/Period

Worksheet E

Presidential Policies and Platforms“Usually selecting his targets from among the powerful of Washington, every president since Herbert Hoover has known the sting of Herblock’s pen. He instills in our nation’s leaders a dose of humility, reminding all of us that public service is a privilege.” —President William “Bill” Clinton

Research a president of your choice. Focus on his policies and platforms. Using the space below, create a portrait of this president using this knowledge. This portrait can take any creative form, e.g., illustration, collage, sculpture, short story, or poem.

1973

1957

1963

Name Class/Period

Worksheet F

Defining Our Modern PresidentHerb Block (1909–2001) was unable to depict President Barack Obama in an editorial cartoon. Think critically about President Obama’s years in office. Research issues he has tackled and policies he has implemented. Using the spaces below, write and draw a Herblock-inspired cartoon based on what you believe to be a defining issue or policy of President Obama.

1956

1973

1994

Name Class/Period

Worksheet G

What are ways that you conserve energy at home?

Do you recycle at home? If so, what items?

Is there a recycling program at your company? If so, what items are regularly recycled there?

Do you compost at home?

Generation GreenStarting in 1929 with his first published cartoon, Herb Block shared his concerns about the environment. Many of these environmental issues continue today.

Directions: Ask two adults in your community the following survey questions. Use the space providedto fill in their answers.

Follow-up: Think critically about the answers to your survey questions and choose one way to be green that you feel needs to be implemented. Begin an initiative to support this environmental effort and then create a poster promoting it. Display and present this poster to your class.

1979

1990

Name Class/Period

2001

Creative Conservation Directions: Research the environmental issues that specifically affect your community. Use one primary and two secondary documents that help you understand a particular environmental issue. Summarize below the issue and what you have learned from these documents.

Follow-up: Brainstorm and locate physical items that are creating this environmental concern. Help bring awareness to this concern by creating a mixed-media art piece using the actual items, photographs, or drawings of them. The art piece can be two- or three-dimensional. Host an environmental art show, where you can share and discuss your piece with the class, school, or community.

Worksheet H

1955

Name Class/Period

Herb Block and Civil Rights

“A master of editorial cartooning, Block wielded his pen effectively and artfully, using it to condemn corruption and expose injustice, inequality, and immorality.”

—Library of Congress

Directions: Use the space below to elaborate on a time in your life when you have spoken out against injustice. Then create a work of art illustrating this moment. You can draw, make a collage, write a poem, or use photography to illustrate this moment.

Follow-up: Visit herbblockfoundation.org/herb-block/the-work. Locate a Herblock cartoon based on civil rights or the civil rights movement. Relate this cartoon to your work of art. Does it tell a similar story? Did you use comparable elements to get your point across, e.g., labeling, metaphor, juxtaposition, etc.?

1956

Name Class/Period

Worksheet I

Illustrative Interview Directions: Interview a member of your family, a neighbor, or an acquaintance, asking him or her about personal experiences during the civil rights movement. Use the space below to record notes from your interview.

Follow-up: Create an editorial cartoon in the box based on your interview. Illustrate a moment or apparent theme in the interview.

1956

Name Class/Period

Worksheet J