The Art of Democracy

The world of politics, presidential races, and the campaign trail is revealed in our collection of text, audio, and images. In honor of the Presidential Inauguration this month, we have assembled lessons on a variety of topics, from political cartoons to historical songs to creating campaign posters. Explore The White House Historical Association: Classroom, where students and teachers can explore many arts-based activities, including a timeline of important musical events at the White House and a curatorial online gallery of paintings housed in the White House.

Lessons:

Students create a historical timeline and an important personal event timeline based on the historical fiction book and play, A Light in the Storm.

This lesson explores the purpose of political cartoons.

Students choose a famous person from their state and research his or her contributions to history.

Students compose a song related to a specific geographic area of the United States.

In this lesson, students explore historical songs and analyze lyrics in order to learn about historical times and happenings.

America, A Home for Every Culture

Students will explore how various cultures have contributed to making the United States a unique and diverse country.

Students will recognize the various contributions of immigrants to the United States.

Students learn about the detention of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Students will learn about the electoral process, plan a campaign tour for a fictional presidential candidate, and compose a campaign song.

Students learn about the role and history of voter eligibility, and create a campaign poster that encourage voter participation.

Students learn about the history of political cartoons, and design a political cartoon about a fictional candidate.

Advocacy Essential:

Contributing to the Human Spirit: Arts Education and the Creative Economy

Testimony Before the Senate and House of the Louisiana Legislature