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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- Title
- Amazing
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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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
- BeFORE and After
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a teacher sitting in a chair holding a 1-10 number line and point the number 7. He says, "Children, we're going to practice numbers that come BEFORE and AFTER other numbers. OK. What number is this?" A student replies "7." In the...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a teacher sitting in a chair holding a 1-10 number line and point the number 7. He says, "Children, we're going to practice numbers that come BEFORE and AFTER other numbers. OK. What number is this?" A student replies "7." In the lower frame with the same image the teacher says, "Good. What number comes beFORE this number?" The student says, "B3?" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mr. Green's students experience Cue Confusion."
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- Title
- Best Instructors in 2nd Grade
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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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
- Classroom Hamster
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a cage with a hamster on a stationary wheel and person's hand is reaching and putting shredded paper on the bottom. Above this image it reads, "The #1 Sign a Teacher Does Not Find a Consultant's Input Supportive." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Consultant's Report is...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a cage with a hamster on a stationary wheel and person's hand is reaching and putting shredded paper on the bottom. Above this image it reads, "The #1 Sign a Teacher Does Not Find a Consultant's Input Supportive." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Consultant's Report is Found Shredded as Bedding for the Classroom Hamster."
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- Title
- Cloning (Teacher)
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows one educator talking to another who is holding a test tube. The first educator asks, "What's in the test tube?" The other educator replies, "A small skin sample from Mrs. Keegan, she's a great teacher." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Despite the bio-ethical...
Show moreThis cartoon shows one educator talking to another who is holding a test tube. The first educator asks, "What's in the test tube?" The other educator replies, "A small skin sample from Mrs. Keegan, she's a great teacher." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Despite the bio-ethical controversies Maggie favors human cloning." A note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Adelle Keegan."
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- Title
- Doing it Wrong Doesn't Make it Wrong
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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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
- Escape Attempts
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher at the chalkboard in front of a full class at individual desks arranged in U. The teacher says, "Class... Today we will continue our unit on the rain forest." A student with a disability and his one-to-one paraprofessional, who is standing immediately behind him, are...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at the chalkboard in front of a full class at individual desks arranged in U. The teacher says, "Class... Today we will continue our unit on the rain forest." A student with a disability and his one-to-one paraprofessional, who is standing immediately behind him, are positioned just a couple steps from the door to the hallway. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Fred's instructional assistant makes sure she and Fred are positioned close to an exit to make any escape attempts less conspicuous."
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- Title
- Flexibility
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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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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- Title
- I don't feel prepared
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a school principal seated at his desk with a teacher sitting across from him in the foreground. The teacher says, "… so I don't feel prepared to teach a child with disabilities." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Despite having a master's degree and 18 years of experience,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a school principal seated at his desk with a teacher sitting across from him in the foreground. The teacher says, "… so I don't feel prepared to teach a child with disabilities." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Despite having a master's degree and 18 years of experience, Mrs. Snippett tries to convince Mr. Moody that the student with disabilities in her class would be better served by an assistant with no experience."
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- Title
- Inclusion Mishap #9
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a teacher peering around a corner as she hides from a student with a disability she sees down the hallway. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusion Mishap #9: Due to a faulty intercom, Mrs. Snippet thought the principal said, You have a new student coming to your...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher peering around a corner as she hides from a student with a disability she sees down the hallway. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusion Mishap #9: Due to a faulty intercom, Mrs. Snippet thought the principal said, You have a new student coming to your classroom -- he has disabilities. Do you best to elude him."
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- Title
- Lawyers Part of Every Day
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a teacher at the door of her classroom with slightly confused look of her face as she says, "Can I help you?" to a man at her door. The man is carrying a brief case that is labeled with the words "Threats, Intimidation, Legalese, Coercion" and he says to the teacher, "Yes, I'm...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at the door of her classroom with slightly confused look of her face as she says, "Can I help you?" to a man at her door. The man is carrying a brief case that is labeled with the words "Threats, Intimidation, Legalese, Coercion" and he says to the teacher, "Yes, I'm Bill M. Hourly, Esquire. I'm here to ensure collaboration for Joey's inclusion through adversarial methods." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "The Bar Association proposes an amendment to IDEA requiring that lawyers be part of every child's IEP team."
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- Title
- Marriage of General and Special Education
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows two people getting married. They are holding hands as they move through a doorway together. Behind them in shadows are lots of luggage of various shapes and sizes. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "In the marriage of general and special education, both parties agree to...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two people getting married. They are holding hands as they move through a doorway together. Behind them in shadows are lots of luggage of various shapes and sizes. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "In the marriage of general and special education, both parties agree to leave their baggage at the door." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Mara Sapon-Shevin, Rich Villa, and Jacque Thousand."
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- Title
- Mysteries of Friendship
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two teachers talking to each other in the foreground. In the background are two students painting at an easel -- one is seated in a wheelchair and the other does not have a disability. One teacher says, "I don't get it. What does Keith see in Joey? He can't walk or talk, he...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two teachers talking to each other in the foreground. In the background are two students painting at an easel -- one is seated in a wheelchair and the other does not have a disability. One teacher says, "I don't get it. What does Keith see in Joey? He can't walk or talk, he needs help with everything, yet they're inseparable." The other teacher says, "Maybe part of being friends is liking a person for who they are -- not just what they can do." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mysteries of Friendship."
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- Title
- Outnumbered?
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a long table with a parent and his advocate seated at the near side (backs to the viewer). Across the table are ten professionals, each identified by a hat indicating their profession (e.g., OT, PT, SLP, Principal). One of the professionals says, "I'm not sure why Mr. Barth...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a long table with a parent and his advocate seated at the near side (backs to the viewer). Across the table are ten professionals, each identified by a hat indicating their profession (e.g., OT, PT, SLP, Principal). One of the professionals says, "I'm not sure why Mr. Barth always feels compelled to bring an advocate to the IEP meeting." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Outnumbered?"
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- Title
- Rocket Science
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher at a chalkboard where he has written a long, complicated equation next to a drawing of a rocket. He says to his colleague, "Here's my plan to include James in a regular class -- it's based on a NASA model." His colleague replies, "It doesn't have to be so complicated....
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at a chalkboard where he has written a long, complicated equation next to a drawing of a rocket. He says to his colleague, "Here's my plan to include James in a regular class -- it's based on a NASA model." His colleague replies, "It doesn't have to be so complicated." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Frank learns that inclusion doesn't have to be rocket science."
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- Title
- Self-Reflection
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon show a teacher looking at himself in a full length mirror. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After spending 10 minutes each afternoon in front of a full-length mirror, Alan still isn't sure why self-reflection is so important to good teaching."
- Title
- Superwoman
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher at her clothes closet and selecting a Superwoman costume (with the classic red S). The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After having successfully taught students with a wide range of characteristics, Ms. Miller decided to adjust her wardrobe to match her teaching...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at her clothes closet and selecting a Superwoman costume (with the classic red S). The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After having successfully taught students with a wide range of characteristics, Ms. Miller decided to adjust her wardrobe to match her teaching confidence."
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- Title
- Supplies
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a smiling teacher greets a student who is wearing a backpack and says, "Hi Jimmy, welcome to the first day of school. I'm glad you brought your backpack with your supplies." In the second panel the same teacher now with a worried...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a smiling teacher greets a student who is wearing a backpack and says, "Hi Jimmy, welcome to the first day of school. I'm glad you brought your backpack with your supplies." In the second panel the same teacher now with a worried expression on her face greets a student with a disability and her mother who is pulling a long wagon filled high with all kinds of special equipment. The teacher says, "Hi Janie, Welcome to the first day of school. I see you've brought your supplies." Her mother says, "We'll bring the rest tomorrow." The tag line for the cartoon reads, "Mrs. Fine wonders if it is too late to request a larger classroom."
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- Title
- Unintended Distractions
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoons shows a full class being taught in a large group by the teacher, except for one student with a disability who is working in a one-to-one format with a paraprofessional in the back of the large group, facing away from the teacher. Some students in the teacher's large group who are...
Show moreThis cartoons shows a full class being taught in a large group by the teacher, except for one student with a disability who is working in a one-to-one format with a paraprofessional in the back of the large group, facing away from the teacher. Some students in the teacher's large group who are closest to the paraprofessional and student with a disability turn toward them. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Unintended Distractions."
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