Libraries
Libraries
~LETTER TO~
Great Day Librarians:
As a substitute teacher, AVID instructor, mentor, and language arts curriculum designer, I’ve visited over 100 different K-12 libraries across Indiana. These K-12 libraries are excellent in offering diverse subjects to read. However, not every demographic is adequately represented as there are certain worlds and experiences that remain missing. Behavior 100 (B100) graphic novels and narratives bridge that gap to provide students a relatable and sociocultural reading experience that has been largely overlooked. B100 stories cover both fiction and non-fiction narratives and are often told in poetic form. B100 stories come filled with vivid illustrations we call I-MICE (Image-Metaphoric-Inspirational-Character-Encouragers). It’s a melding of striking art and language arts which scorches valuable meaning into the minds of learners. This fusion of art and literature reaches both advanced and poor readers, assisting them in strengthening critical thinking, comprehension, and creative writing skills.
My Boo (I-MICE Illustration) from the poetic story “My Boo”
When learners are presented with scenarios that are culturally relevant to them, they’re excited to employ critical thinking and comprehension as they dive into these topics. They do so without even knowing. Otherwise disinterested learners are emboldened to dialogue about the subject matter. B100 speaks to a diverse range of learners but of particular note is its ability to reach the musically minded (such as those who write and enjoy rap) due to the poetic nature of much of B100’s written style. It also encourages the learner’s engagement in creative writing. Likewise, the artists in that crowd of learners that may have a knack for scribbling on the sides of their desks take pause when laying eyes upon B100’s art.
Funeral Scene (symbolic I-MICE illustration) from “The Chronicles of Jack Gun”
B100 offers posters of each I-MICE illustration from every B100 story.
Readers are on the edge of their seats as they experience stories that reflect issues and condition they themselves face. B100 narratives do a stupendous job of providing wider perspective on the poisonous actions and pursuits that are increasingly endorsed in popular culture. Learners are dosed with the realistic consequences.
B100 offers an entire curriculum which focuses on improving interpersonal and language arts skills. Along the way, B100 encompasses issues such as drugs, early pregnancy, the prison system, illegal guns, violence and pointless killing. Most importantly, learners walk away from these conversations with answers on how to navigate tricky and/or volatile situations, honor others, teach others, and be an agent for positive transformation.