Absurdities and Realities of Special Education
Collection Overview
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...
Show moreAbsurdities 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.
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Pages
- Title
- 1. Ants in His Pants
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This collection includes 111 color cartoon images from the book Ants in His Pants. A digital version of the book with the cartoons in the order they were originally published is available at this link: https://cdi.uvm.edu/book/uvmcdi-105567
Giangreco, M. F. (1998). Ants in his pants: Absurdities...
Show moreThis collection includes 111 color cartoon images from the book Ants in His Pants. A digital version of the book with the cartoons in the order they were originally published is available at this link: https://cdi.uvm.edu/book/uvmcdi-105567Giangreco, M. F. (1998). Ants in his pants: Absurdities and realities of special education. Corwin. (out of print, 2019).
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- Title
- 2. Flying by the Seat of Your Pants
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
This collection includes 105 color cartoon images from Flying by the Seat of Your Pants. A digital version of the book with the cartoons in the order they were originally published is available at this link: https://cdi.uvm.edu/book/uvmcdi-105460
Giangreco, M. F. (1999). Flying by the seat of...
Show moreThis collection includes 105 color cartoon images from Flying by the Seat of Your Pants. A digital version of the book with the cartoons in the order they were originally published is available at this link: https://cdi.uvm.edu/book/uvmcdi-105460Giangreco, M. F. (1999). Flying by the seat of your pants: More absurdities and realities of special education. Corwin. (out of print, 2019).
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- Title
- 3. Teaching Old Logs New Tricks
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
This collection includes 101 color cartoon images from Teaching Old Logs New Tricks. A digital version of the book with the cartoons in the order they were originally published is available at this link: https://cdi.uvm.edu/book/uvmcdi-105357
Giangreco, M. F. (2000). Teaching old logs new tricks:...
Show moreThis collection includes 101 color cartoon images from Teaching Old Logs New Tricks. A digital version of the book with the cartoons in the order they were originally published is available at this link: https://cdi.uvm.edu/book/uvmcdi-105357Giangreco, M. F. (2000). Teaching old logs new tricks: Absurdities and realities of education. Corwin. (out of print, 2019).
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- Title
- 4. CD Only
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
-
This collection includes 12 color cartoon images that were originally published on searchable CD: Giangreco, M. F. (2007). Absurdities and realities of special education: The complete digital set [searchable CD]. Corwin. (out of print, 2019). This subset of 12 cartoons were part of The Complete...
Show moreThis collection includes 12 color cartoon images that were originally published on searchable CD: Giangreco, M. F. (2007). Absurdities and realities of special education: The complete digital set [searchable CD]. Corwin. (out of print, 2019). This subset of 12 cartoons were part of The Complete Digital Set on the CD that included 327 both color and black and white digital images of all of the cartoons in the three books/subcollections: (1) Ants in Pants..., (2) Flying by the Seat of Your Pants..., and (3) Teaching Old Logs New Tricks. The 12 cartoons in this subcollection were those not previously published in the earlier books.
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- Title
- 5. Post CD
- Date Created
- 2010-2021
- Description
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This collection includes 6 color cartoon images that were created between 2010-2021, after the publication of the books and CD.
- Title
- A, B, C's of Inclusion
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a chalkboard with three words stacked in a stepwise fashion and the first letter of each word much larger than the remaining letters; the words are Acceptance, Belonging, and Community. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "The ABC's of Inclusion". The note on the side...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a chalkboard with three words stacked in a stepwise fashion and the first letter of each word much larger than the remaining letters; the words are Acceptance, Belonging, and Community. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "The ABC's of Inclusion". The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Mary Beth Doyle".
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- Title
- Amazing
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a box-shaped machine with gears and levers and a conveyor belt with people going through it. As the people enter they are slumped over wearing dark robes with a dark cloud over each of their heads. The sign above these people entering reads, "Nervous, Worried, Angry, Anxious,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a box-shaped machine with gears and levers and a conveyor belt with people going through it. As the people enter they are slumped over wearing dark robes with a dark cloud over each of their heads. The sign above these people entering reads, "Nervous, Worried, Angry, Anxious, Unprepared, Negative, Apprehensive." As the people pass through the machine and emerge from the Output end they are depicted wearing white robes, with angel's wings, smiles on their faces, and sunshine over each of the heads. The sign above these people reads, "Positive, Good, Successful, Amazed, Pleased, Wonderful, Interesting." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "The Amazing Inclusive Education Teacher Transformation Machine."
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- Title
- Asleep/Awake
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels. The top panel shows a students a student sitting in a wheelchair sleeping (with Zzzzzzz coming from her nose) -- the setting is labeled "Special Class." The lower panel, which is labeled "Regular Class" shows the same student, awake and alert interacting with two...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels. The top panel shows a students a student sitting in a wheelchair sleeping (with Zzzzzzz coming from her nose) -- the setting is labeled "Special Class." The lower panel, which is labeled "Regular Class" shows the same student, awake and alert interacting with two classmates. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After ruling out a medical reason, Bobby Sue's parents come to the conclusion that there's just a lot more to be awake for in regular class."
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- Title
- Best Instructors in 2nd Grade
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two teachers in the foreground talking to each other while two students are interacting in the background. One teacher asks the other, "What graduate course did you take to learn so much about teaching students with disabilities?" As the teacher motions toward the two students,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two teachers in the foreground talking to each other while two students are interacting in the background. One teacher asks the other, "What graduate course did you take to learn so much about teaching students with disabilities?" As the teacher motions toward the two students, the student without disabilities says to her classmate with a disability, "Now you try it!" as teacher says to her colleague, "Well... I can introduce to one of my professors." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mrs. Hope found some of her best instructors were still in second grade."
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- Title
- Bill of Goods
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher in the doorway of her classroom looking perplexed. In the hallway speaking to her is a man holding a large poster which says, "1. General Education Teachers can't teach students with disabilities. 2. You only have to be a host. 3. Everybody else is an expert." There...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher in the doorway of her classroom looking perplexed. In the hallway speaking to her is a man holding a large poster which says, "1. General Education Teachers can't teach students with disabilities. 2. You only have to be a host. 3. Everybody else is an expert." There are other items listed that are not readable. The man says to the teacher, "Excuse me Ma'am, you were sold a bill of goods. I am sorry to have to inform you that it has been recalled." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After being sold a bill of goods, Mrs. Martin is surprised to learn it's defective."
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- Title
- Cookbook Recipes
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a person dressed as a chef attempting to follow a recipe from a book titled "Inclusion Cookbook." The scene in the kitchen is chaotic and messy (e.g., broken eggs, spilled liquids), with equipment and food strewn about in disarray. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a person dressed as a chef attempting to follow a recipe from a book titled "Inclusion Cookbook." The scene in the kitchen is chaotic and messy (e.g., broken eggs, spilled liquids), with equipment and food strewn about in disarray. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After several attempts, Fred begins to realize that cookbook recipes for inclusion just don't work."
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- Title
- Doing it Wrong Doesn't Make it Wrong
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two school colleagues conversing. The one seated behind the desk says, "We placed Jason in a regular class part of the time, we assigned a full-time aide, and we even did therapy in the back of the classroom. He still can't do the same work as the other kids... Inclusion isn't...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two school colleagues conversing. The one seated behind the desk says, "We placed Jason in a regular class part of the time, we assigned a full-time aide, and we even did therapy in the back of the classroom. He still can't do the same work as the other kids... Inclusion isn't right for everyone." His colleague shakes his head in disbelief and replies, "You STILL don't get it!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusive Education: Doing it wrong doesn't make it wrong." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Michael Hock."
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- Title
- The Eagle Has Landed
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
Mrs. Snippett is standing by the door, in her classroom, speaking on the phone. There are students at desks in the background. The door is open and a student using a wheelchair enters. He says to her, "Hi. Mrs. Snippett. I'm your new student. Mrs. Snippet has her head turned an her hand shielding...
Show moreMrs. Snippett is standing by the door, in her classroom, speaking on the phone. There are students at desks in the background. The door is open and a student using a wheelchair enters. He says to her, "Hi. Mrs. Snippett. I'm your new student. Mrs. Snippet has her head turned an her hand shielding her mouth. She says into the phone, "The eagle has landed Houston. We have a problem." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After years of eluding students with disabilities, one finally catches up with Mrs. Snippett.
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- Title
- Eating His Hat
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a man salting his hat and eating it. The tag line reads "Roy makes good on his promise to eat his hat when students with severe disabilities are successfully included in General Education classes."
- Title
- Educating Roaches
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon is two panels in the top frame of the panel are a man and a woman. The man is a reporter and is interviewing the woman who is holding up a "Not Roaches" sign. He says "And now a commentary from Bertha Snippett." And Bertha says "Who are these 'Inclusive Education' people and why do...
Show moreThe cartoon is two panels in the top frame of the panel are a man and a woman. The man is a reporter and is interviewing the woman who is holding up a "Not Roaches" sign. He says "And now a commentary from Bertha Snippett." And Bertha says "Who are these 'Inclusive Education' people and why do they want to educate supportive roaches? I don't care how supportive the are! Roaches are nasty little bugs and furthermore..." In the lower frame the reporter interrupts and says "Excuse me, it's not "educating supportive roaches." It's "Educationally Supportive Approaches." Mrs. Snippett says, turning red in the face "Oh...never mind." The tag line reads "Inclusion mishap #13: Mrs. Snippett decides it's finally time to have her hearing tested."
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- Title
- English Literature
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher in front of two high school students seated in wheelchairs with lap trays. The teacher says, "Welcome to 11th grade English Literature!" One student says to the other, "Pay up George!" His classmate says, "Alright, you win. But I can't believe we're through with...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher in front of two high school students seated in wheelchairs with lap trays. The teacher says, "Welcome to 11th grade English Literature!" One student says to the other, "Pay up George!" His classmate says, "Alright, you win. But I can't believe we're through with nursery rhymes!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Special Education students turn to gambling to avoid the boredom of age-inappropriate activities."
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- Title
- Everyone is Included
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically and offset in a stepwise manner. The scenes in both frames are identical, a parent seated in a chair with a piece of paper in her hand speaking with a school principal who is seated behind a desk. In the first frame the parent asks, "In your school...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically and offset in a stepwise manner. The scenes in both frames are identical, a parent seated in a chair with a piece of paper in her hand speaking with a school principal who is seated behind a desk. In the first frame the parent asks, "In your school do you have inclusive students? Inclusion facilitators? Inclusion classrooms? Inclusion programs?" The principal replies, "No." In the second frame the parent asks, "Why not?" and the principal replies, "Because everyone's included." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusive Education becomes a moot point."
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- Title
- Excluses
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows eight panels of the same person saying each of the following statements: "We tried that before.", "I agree philosophically, but…", "It costs to much.", "Our system is too big.", "Our system is too small.", "What we do now is just fine.", "I'm sure it works well in other places,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows eight panels of the same person saying each of the following statements: "We tried that before.", "I agree philosophically, but…", "It costs to much.", "Our system is too big.", "Our system is too small.", "What we do now is just fine.", "I'm sure it works well in other places, but not here.", "It's against my religion.", and "It's not within my authority." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Exclusion + Excuses = Excluses: Common reasons for avoiding inclusive education."
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- Title
- Flair for the Dramatic
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a mother and child trying to enter a school with a sign on the exterior, "Exclusionville Elementary." The Principal (Mr. Moody) is physically blocking the entrance to the school while saying, "I'm sorry, but you can't bring THAT child in THIS school." The tag line under the...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a mother and child trying to enter a school with a sign on the exterior, "Exclusionville Elementary." The Principal (Mr. Moody) is physically blocking the entrance to the school while saying, "I'm sorry, but you can't bring THAT child in THIS school." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mr. Moody displays his flair for the dramatic."
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- Title
- Flexibility
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the top left panel a teacher (shown alone) asks a colleague, "How do you teach kids with such a wide range of needs?" In the lower right panel the same teacher is shown looking at her colleague sitting on a chair with her leg stretched behind her...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the top left panel a teacher (shown alone) asks a colleague, "How do you teach kids with such a wide range of needs?" In the lower right panel the same teacher is shown looking at her colleague sitting on a chair with her leg stretched behind her head while she says, "Flexibility." The tag line under the cartoon reads, Mrs. Jones explains her secret to never getting bent out of shape."
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