Shows
Reading in the GutterThinking about Superman as a model for manhood with Dr. Brian JohnsonSend us a textIn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani chats with Dr. Brian Johnson, a Dean of Student Formation, about his love of Superman. They discuss the history of Superman, considering the historical, religious, and mythological inspirations for the character. They also discuss the social justice implications of Superman in modern times, touching on immigration and identity. Furthermore, Brian addresses Superman's potential as a role model for manhood.2025-02-1341 minReading in the GutterIntroducing graphic novels into the community college curriculum with George Festin LorenzoSend us a textIn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani Kachorsky host long time educator, George Festin Lorenzo, to discuss his experiences introducing graphic novels into the community college English Language Arts curriculum. George discusses the importance of choice in reading, demonstrates that traditional literary analysis can be conducted using visual texts, and reflects on students' general enjoyment in the process. Together, George and Dani consider how George's literary analysis project could be adapted to other educational contexts and offer reading recommendations for those teachers looking to introduce similar projects into their classroom practice.2024-12-0435 minReading in the GutterComics in the science classroom with biology teacher, Jeremy Kachorsky...Send us a textIn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani speaks with a very special guest--her husband and biology teacher, Jeremy Kachorsky. They discuss his use of the Max Axiom comic series at various stages in his educational career, comparing the use of comics in middle school science to the use of comics in high school science. Jeremy considers successes and challenges with using the medium, as well as its future potential in a science classroom context. 2024-11-0139 minReading in the GutterThinking about the intersection of poetry and comics with Ernesto AbeytiaSend us a textOn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani discusses the relationship between poetry and comics with Ernesto Abeytia, a poet and professor of poetry at Arizona State University. In addition to thinking about how comics can function as inspiration for poetry, they consider the similarities between poetry and comics' art forms.2024-10-0152 minReading in the GutterUsing graphic novels to enhance memoir units with Lexie VanderveenSend us a textIn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani speaks with Lexie Vanderveen, a high school English teacher, about using graphic novels to hance existing memoir units. This discussion includes helpful strategies, shared successes, and lessons learned. 2024-09-0136 minReading in the GutterGraphic novels, literature circles, and social justice with Dr. David Low...Send us a textIn the final episode of Season 2, Dani chats with Dr. David Low, a comics and graphic novel scholar whose research focuses on issues of identity and social justice. David shares how he came to be a comics scholar, why he believes comics have a place in education, how literature circles can be reenvisioned for graphic novels, and why graphic novels and comics lend themselves to discussion of identity and social justice.2024-07-011h 04Reading in the GutterCreator Spotlight: J. Gonzo discusses creating comics, being a Chicano artist, and using his comics in the classroom...Send us a textIn this episode, Dani chats with J. Gonzo about his career as a comic book artist and author. He shares his experiences as Chicano artist and discusses the importance of representation in the comics medium. Additionally, he shares his views on the importance of the comics in classroom spaces as well as how he hopes educators take up his work educational contexts.2024-06-011h 08Reading in the GutterTeachers' reflections on teaching Gareth Hinds' graphic novel adaptation of The Odyssey...Send us a textHost Dani Kachorsky welcomes high school English teachers Shelby Stringer and Amanda Molitor to Reading in the Gutter to reflect on their experiences teaching Gareth Hinds' graphic novel adaptation of The Odyssey. The three teachers discuss why they selected Gareth Hinds' adaptation, their successes and challenges using this text in classroom, and how they hope to revise their use of the text in the future.2024-05-0143 minReading in the GutterTeaching 'Maus' for the first time: Challenges, successes, and future directionsSend us a textIn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani chats with Brooke Feldman-Cryan, a high school English and Theater teacher, about her experiences teaching the graphic novel Maus for the first time. Brooke shares her motivation behind selecting the text as well as some challenges and successes she experienced, and ultimately, what she would require in order to teach the graphic novel in the future.2024-04-0129 minReading in the GutterReading and creating graphic novel memoirs with Dr. Sean P. Connors...Send us a textIn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani hosts Dr. Sean P. Connors from the University of Arkansas to discuss reading and creating graphic novel memoirs. Sean shares his experiences teaching a college course focused on graphic novel memoirs, as well as a culminating experience in which students draft their own comic book style memoirs.2024-03-0136 minReading in the GutterDigital storytelling, digital comics, and STEM with Dr. Daryl Axelrod...Send us a textIn this episode of Reading in the Gutter, Dani hosts Dr. Daryl Axelrod for a fun-filled discussion about using digital tools to create digital comics. Daryl shares his experiences helping kids to create original comics related to science topics as well as his experiences guiding students through transmediating (or adapting) traditional texts into a variety of digital comics forms. His suggestions for teachers are practical and don't break the bank.2024-02-0133 minReading in the GutterAuthor Interview: Frank Baker discusses 'We Survived the Holocaust'...Send us a textReading in the Gutter host, Dani Kachorsky, interviews Frank Baker, author of the graphic novel, We Survived the Holocaust. In this episode, Frank discusses the importance of sharing and teaching Holocaust stories in today's day and age, as well as the importance of preparing students to be critical thinkers. Additionally, Frank shares how he was invited to share the Goldberg family's story, why he decide a graphic novel was the 'right' format to use, and what he hopes students and teachers will take from the narrative.2023-12-2828 minReading in the GutterTeaching comics in different contexts (college, high school, and middle school)...Send us a textReading in the Gutter returns with our first episode for Season 2 to discuss "Teaching comics in different contexts (college, high school, and middle school)..." with Jason D. DeHart. In this episode, Dani, Ashley, Stephanie, and Jason consider the similarities and differences in teaching comics at different grade levels, how students accept or push back against the use of comics and graphic novels in the classroom, and what constitutes complexity and literary merit in classroom spaces. We also discuss challenges and successes we've experienced teaching comics at all levels of education.2023-11-3035 min
Words, Images, & WorldsWords, Images, & Worlds Episode 115 with Dr. Dani KachorskyDr. Dani Kachorsky talks about multimodality, encouraging readers, and embracing comics (and more) as part of literacy instruction.2023-06-2229 minReading in the GutterSuperheroes and social justice with Dr. Francisco Torres...Send us a textThe Reading in the Gutter team is [finally] back! In this episode, Laura, Ashley, and Dani discuss superheroes and superhero comics with Dr. Francisco Torres. Francisco shares his experiences teaching a unit called "Heroes of Color" in which students read and discussed mainstream superhero comics that also featured diverse individuals and experiences. After reading and discussing these comics, students created their own comics around issues of social justice that mattered to them and were relevant to their lives.2021-07-1847 minReading in the GutterMaking and assessing comics in the classroom...Send us a textIn what we affectionately refer to as the Corona Virus Special, the Reading in the Gutter team, Laura, Ashley, and Dani, speak with Dr. Jason DeHart about making and assessing comics in classroom spaces. Jason provides insights based on both his experiences as a middle school teacher and a university professor. He discusses how he has moved from using student-generated comics to assess content learning to treating the making of comics as a meaning-making process that helps make reading visible. 2020-10-2646 minReading in the GutterA brief history on comics in education...Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Stergios Botzakis joins the Reading in the Gutter team to discuss the history of comics as they relate to education. In addition to sharing his own journey to becoming a comics reader and scholar, Sterg outlines common stigmas attached to comics and graphic novels in educational circles that still persist today and addresses the historical influences that led to such perceptions. Together with the team, Sterg makes recommendations to teachers wanting to overcome such stigmas to use comics in their curriculum and practice.2020-06-1138 min