The Songs Inspired By Literature (SIBL) Project
Songs about books have been written for decades by bands ranging from Led Zepplin to The Clash. In 2000, a movement began to put these kinds of songs to use.
In 2000, we launched the Songs Inspired By Literature Project (SIBL) to raise money for free tutoring programs around the country that serve the 45 million adults who read below a 4th grade level. Songs written about books were donated by Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Tom Waits, Roseanne Cash, Suzanne Vega and many more, including over 1000 song submissions by emerging artists. Over 25,000 benefit CD's were sold, and NPR, New York Times, RollingStone, BBC were a few of the media outlets that acclaimed our impact.
History
In November 1999, Artists for Literacy's founder, Deborah Pardes, wrote a song inspired by Frank McCourt's memoir, Angela's Ashes. After performing it a few times, she realized that it was doing for the book what a movie trailer does for a film -- enticing people to learn more about the story. From that moment forward, Artists for Literacy has been collecting songs about books to help promote reading. The media has helped to tell our story.
Books are scary; music's not
For people with low-level literacy, the look of a book can be daunting. When themes and / or characters from a book are first introduced through a song, teachers have overwhelmingly found that doors of interest are opened. Students discuss the song with ease and, by doing so, begin their critical thinking about the book. Soon, reading the book isn't so bad after all.
Welcome to Educators
We are creating lesson plans to bring songs inspired by literature into the classroom. Teachers now can include music in schools through literature class!
Overview
We know that art programs are being cut in schools. We also know that there are ways to deeply engage our students -- through arts-based learning. Literature comes alive when the teaching of it becomes as exciting and memorable as the stories themselves. Our work draws out the artistry of both the student and the teacher to bring books alive.
Artists for Literacy brings art into schools through the English Literature classroom. What better way to feed two birds with one spoon?
Lesson Plans for High School, College, and Adult Literacy Classes
Many teachers are using our Songs Inspired By Literature CDs as learning tools in the classroom to connect students to books through music. By listening to songs inspired by literature, students at all reading levels can connect to the author's message. We have lesson plans created by teachers who have had success with SIBL in the classroom.
SIBL Chapter 1 materials |
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| Theme study for all Chapter One songs | |
| In-depth lesson plans for songs inspired by: | |
| Jonathan Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn (track 2) |
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| Mark Levine's poem "Work Song" (track 8) |
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| Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes (track 10) | |
| Shel Silverstein's poem "Bucking Bronco" (track 11) | |
| John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (track 16) | |
SIBL Chapter 2 materials |
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| Theme study for all Chapter Two songs | |
| In-depth lesson plans for songs inspired by: | |
| Orson Scott Card's Songmaster (track 1) | |
| James McBride's The Color of Water - 1 (track 10) | |
| James McBride's The Color of Water - 2 (track 10) | |
| T.S. Elliot's poem "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" (track 15) | |
| Elie Wiesel's Night (track 16) |
