Zines - What About Them?

"Zines...carry an anti-consumerist message because they challenge the easily digestible main stream media. They can open students' eyes to other outlets for information (Wan, 1999)." Given the prevalence of misinformation on platforms like blogs and social media, I saw the value in teaching students how to use their voices effectively with credibility. So I introduced zines. Known for their underground origins and often politically charged content, zines provided an avenue for challenging mainstream perspectives. Introducing zine-making to students offered them a creative outlet to address global issues that mattered to them.

Samples of zines courtesy of the Toronto Zine Library

Growing up in the '90s I was influenced by the Riot Grrrl Movement, a movement that originated in the punk scene that went against a society that gave little validation to women's experiences. I made zines myself, and shared and traded them with friends. Since then, I taught zine making to other students after graduating from university, and still love making them to this day.

Sample of zine produced by my grade 8's

I instructed my eighth-grade students in the craft of creating zines. They gained the ability to address topics of personal importance and express their thoughts through writing. This enabled them to engage in discussions and discover methods to enact change within their communities using the written word. Even their modest contributions had the potential to effect significant transformations in their communities.

Reflecting on this project, one aspect I would have approached differently was the restructuring of certain student groups, particularly by pairing mentors with mentees. There was a specific group that lacked clear leadership, resulting in the need for further refinement and revision of their project. Nonetheless, overall, it proved to be a successful endeavor.

Upon completion, I had the students assess their work habits and collaborative skills. Each student anonymously reflected on their group dynamics and individual contributions. This approach encouraged honesty regarding the outcomes of their efforts and held them accountable for any challenges encountered along the journey. A common observation was, "If we had talked less about other stuff instead of the zine, we could have met the deadline." Ah, the joys of working with kids!

References:

WAN, A. J. (1999). Not Just for Kids Anymore: Using Zines in the Classroom. The Radical Teacher, 55, 15–19. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20709995