Drawing a Dialogue

I have been conducting virtual comics making workshops, which have been so much fun! So much of their success has been thanks to the collaboration with amazing libraries, and the thoughtful and goofy ideas from kids.

Episode 30:In this episode, Cathy + remus document the teaching + learning transition to distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public university, private school + public school approaches are discussed based on public statements + personal impact. remus presents mutual aid pedagogy work + possibilities for disability justice, + Cathy provides updates on the Providence Public School state takeover + their pandemic response.

For episode citation: https://comicarted.com/blog/2020/5/8/drawing-a-dialogue-episode-30

Episode 29: Cathy + remus discuss the contemporary role libraries play in the popularity of young adult graphic novels. remus discusses how libraries have changed their attitudes toward comics, moving from crusaders to advocates. Cathy talks about the new graphic memoirs Fights by Joel Christian Gill and Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. She discusses the possibilities these books hold for educators + young adult readers, + using comics as a tool to approach difficult topics.

For episode citation: https://comicarted.com/blog/2020/4/3/drawing-a-dialogue-episode-29

Episode 28:On this episode, Cathy + remus discuss public libraries in the United States. remus presents the history of libraries, their purpose for the public + the American Library Association (ALA). Cathy discusses the current services libraries offer the public, including family support, youth services + addressing poverty + homelessness. Cathy also introduces a new segment to Drawing a Dialogue called “Schools Are The Community,” to discuss the current state takeover of Providence Public Schools.

For episode citation: https://comicarted.com/blog/2020/2/14/drawing-a-dialogue-episode-28

“Eating around other people is a struggle for salaryman Yutaka, despite his talent for cooking. All that changes when he meets Minoru and Tane — two brothers, many years apart in age — who ask him to teach them how to make his delicious food! It’s not long before Yutaka finds himself falling hard for the meals they share together — and falling in love!” (from the back of the book)

Episode 27:Continuing from last episode, Cathy + remus further their discussion of the museum by examining decolonization efforts. remus offers real case studies of what museums are currently doing to address colonial pasts. Cathy shares lesson plans that complicate the use of museums in classrooms. The two discuss what decolonizing is, can look like, what is being done, + address the problematic idea that institutions should be saved.

For episode citation: https://comicarted.com/blog/2020/1/3/drawing-a-dialogue-episode-27

Episode 26: Cathy + remus discuss the history of the art museum + museum education. remus discusses museums as an Enlightenment era outgrowth, moving into the display of art in the museum + its purpose. Cathy talks about the history of art museum education + the underlying theories, + how museums can be used in art education today. Both hosts discuss the colonial histories + cultural responsibilities of all museums, + how we can move forward.

For episode citation: https://comicarted.com/blog/2019/12/13/drawing-a-dialogue-episode-26

Cathy + remus talk about transmasculinity + gender development in children. remus discusses masculinity through two different trans memoir comics by Higu Rose + Victor Martins, placing the narratives into a new historical canon. Cathy shares the latest in transgender child development research, focusing on younger children, including statistics, books + lesson plans.

For episode citation: https://comicarted.com/blog/2019/11/8/drawing-a-dialogue-episode-25

Cathy + remus talk about grading in schools + universities. What is the history of giving students grades? What is their purpose + pitfalls? Cathy + remus discuss how all grades are subjective, talk about different standards that can be used + share various approaches and methods.

For episode citation: https://comicarted.com/blog/2019/9/13/drawing-a-dialogue-episode-24

This summer I decided to take the plunge and put together a classroom comics library. It has been amazingly successful! Here is what I learned, and how you can do it, too!