Write Brain Kids culminates with readings, published book of 5th-grade writing.

Published by age 11. Not bad for a year's work.

The Write Brain Kids program—a project in residence at the School of Communications Design—has brought literature to life for students at Govans Elementary School in North Baltimore, through weekly read-aloud sessions and creative writing exercises during the past academic year.

Now, the fourth- and fifth-grade students involved in the program co-created by Jane Delury, assistant professor, and local writers Christine Grillo and Elissa Weissman are celebrating their year of hard work with readings of their own writing on Thursday, May 10.

In addition, the book Write On! features writing from the participating fifth-graders based on in-class prompts and writing activities. It showcases their hard work and the rewards of revision. As the introduction states, "The book represents only a fraction of the effort and strong thinking that bubbled up in Ms. O'Keefe's classroom as the Write Brain Kids listened, learned, wrote and shared."

The Write Brain Kids program brought UB faculty, student interns and guest authors into the elementary classroom to read aloud to the students, discuss the readings together, oversee creative writing and journaling, and teach the importance of revision. In addition to improved comprehension, longer sustained periods of writing and charged imaginations, the students demonstrated expanded vocabulary, keener focus and sharper critical thinking skills.

Delivered in partnership with the University of Baltimore, Write Brain Kids was supported by the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences Office of the Dean.