Since 2012, Chapter 510 has been partnering with Oakland elementary schools to offer an intensive, hands-on literary arts unit led by an accomplished teaching artist. Working in small groups of blended classes during school hours, teaching artists and volunteers lead students in creative exploration and writing activities that enrich California’s existing science, social studies, and English curriculum. This year, we worked with students at Hoover Elementary School to develop a student-written, informational comic book.

A classroom of eager writers worked with our teaching artists and volunteer tutors to conceptualize, draft, draw, and edit their informational comic book—a "how to" on topics ranging from soccer to slime. Students are knee-deep in experiencing the process of turning from writer into author, and learning all that goes into publishing a book.

The final element of each young authors book project is a public reading and book release celebration. Chapter 510 helps students practice performing their pieces before they get onstage in front of families, volunteers, school leadership, and community. Readings are also multilingual, and have included poetry in Mandarin, Spanish and Arabic.