Absurdities and Realities of Special Education
Absurdities and Realities of Special Education: The University of Vermont Center for Digital Initiatives Collection is a complete set of all of the cartoons created by Michael Giangreco with the assistance of the artist Kevin Ruelle. This includes a total of 335 cartoons from four previously published books and searchable CD that went "out of print" in 2019 and a few newer cartoons. Michael Giangreco created the original ideas, text, and sketches for each cartoon and Kevin Ruelle redrew the sketches.
The cartoons in the first three books all were originally in black and white. That was a conscious decision, both for aesthetic and practical reasons. The cartoons were designed to be easily copied on to overhead transparencies for display in classes, workshops, and other learning environments. A group called Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE) requested permission to use one of the cartoons on the cover of their magazine and subsequently colorized it. Prompted by Giangreco’s colleagues associated with ALLFIE, Giangreco and Ruelle began to colorize the rest of the images. In this complete digital collection, we have included a total of 335 different digital images; including the 315 different cartoons from the four earlier books, 12 cartoons that were on the CD only, and eight that were not included in any of the previously published books or CD.
Cartoons from the early books have found their way on to the pages of many newsletters disseminated by schools, parent groups, disability advocacy organizations, and professional associations. They have appeared in books, manuals, and journals; a few were even published in a law journal. The cartoons have been used extensively as projected slides or within learning activities in college classes, at conferences, in workshops, and at other meetings. Parents have framed cartoons that closely reflected their own experiences and hung them in their homes or offices. Other parents have used them in meetings with professionals to help get their points across. They have been given as gifts to people who "get it" and handed out as door prizes. The Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights used them as part of "Disability Awareness Day" at the Vermont legislature. The cartoons can be used in innumerable creative ways.
Showing 231 - 240 of 342 Records
False Rumors
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows Mr. Moody working under a sink with a wrench. Someone from out of the panel says "Mr. Moody, It's time for our meeting. Are you ready to join us?" and Mr. Moody replies "Almost, I just have to finish this last joint." The tag line reads "Communication Breakdown #21: False rumors are spread that Mr. Moody uses illegal substances."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Old Hat
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows a classroom table with children sitting around it working on papers together. Two teachers are in the left side of the frame chatting, one is wearing an old baseball hat. And one is wearing a hairband and glasses. The teacher with the hairband says "It's amazing how well you have adjusted your teaching now that students with severe disabilities are in your class." The teacher in the old hat says "Well, I just keep reminding myself that my students were each different before 'Inclusive Education' that hasn't changed, just expanded." The tag line reads "Mrs. King sports her worn softball cap as a reminder that individualizing to meet unique student needs is old hat to good teachers."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Her Own Shadow (ground hog)
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows a Groundhog sitting on a table talking to Mr. Moody. The Groundhog says "So here's the idea. During the interview, you just casually walk her outside. If she doesn't see her own shadow, you hire her for a six week probationary period." the tag line reads, "Mr. Moody considers the school district consultant's recommendation for hiring an instructional assistant who won't unnecessarily shadow students."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Raw Data
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows a man and woman in a room with an oven. The woman is taking a baking dish full of papers out of the oven. The Man on the left side of the panel asks, "What are you doing with our student data?" The woman answers, "When I started, it was raw data. It's still not done." The tag line reads "Student data is extremely valuable-but not if it's half-baked."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
General Ed
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows a General named Ed standing in front of an American flag saluting. The tag line reads, "Few people know that before he was 'General Ed' he was 'Special Ed.'"
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Poultry Puns
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows a teacher in front of a class full of students. The students all have their hands up and they are all saying, "I'm done!" the teacher responds with, "Turkeys are 'done' people are 'finished!' Based on you work, I should give you all 'Goose eggs!' But since I'm 'Mr. Eggstra-nice-guy,' I'll let you do it over!" the tag line reads, "What happens when teachers become obsessed with poultry puns."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Dick, Jane and Spot
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon has two people in the panel. The man on the right side of the panel is saying, "We need to avoid our mistakes of the past and teach kids the 'Classics.'" The person in the right side of the panel says, "Right! I still fondly remember 'See Dick. See Jane. See Spot. Run Spot Run!'" The tag line reads "Literature in literacy an entire generation grew up thinking Dick, Jane, and Spot were significant literary characters."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Appropriate Label
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows a woman talking to a man in a wheelchair. The woman says "So, how do you prefer to be called? Handicapped? Disabled? Or Physically-Challenged?" the man responds "Joe would be fine." the tag line reads "The most appropriate label is usually the one someone's parents have given them."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Airlifting
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows a helicopter hovering over a school building trying to lower a square box with the words "Special Class Approaches" into a round hole on the roof with the words "Regular Class" written around the edge of the hole. The tag line reads "Attempts at airlifting certain special approaches into regular class are unsuccessful, they just don't fit."
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
Fun Meeting
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- Creator: Giangreco, Michael F., 1956-.
- Date Created: 1999
- Description: The cartoon shows 5 men and women sitting in a hot tub. Mr. Moody says "this is the best meeting we've ever had!" The tag line reads "Team members find fun ways to facilitate their meetings!"
- Parent Collections: Absurdities and Realities of Special Education, Flying by the Seat of Your Pants