Open Book Program, a multi-faceted after-school program for young adolescents in which participants are engaged in activities that encourage the development of reading, writing and critical thinking skills.

Wiliams Elementary School
(prior to becoming Williams Multiplex)
2710 S. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60616

A Proud History of
Open Book Participation

2005/2006 Participants
2001/2002 Participants
2000/2001 Participants
1999/2000 Participants
Literary Circles
Drama
Meeting the Authors
Field Trips

2005/2006 Participants

Williams School 2005-2006 Open Book Participants

Pictured here are Open Book participants from Williams Multiplex as they get their books signed by Author Walter Dean Myers on October 18, 2004 at the Afrocentric Bookstore, 4655 S. King Dr., in Chicago. Open Book participants read Myers' book, Here in Harlem: Poems in Many Voices, during the first 8-week session of the school year.

2001/2002 Participants

Pictured here are Open Book participants at Williams Elementary School during the 2001/2002 school year. Also pictured are Williams Librarian Ms. Elaine Agusto, performing artist Ms. Mashari Bain, and a parent volunteer.

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2000/2001 Participants

Pictured here are Open Book participants at Williams Elementary School during the 2000/2001 school year. Also pictured are Williams Librarian Elaine Agusto
and Author Nikki Grimes.

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1999/2000 Participants

Pictured here are Open Book participants at WilliamsElementary School during the 1999/2000 school year. Also pictured are Open Book Executive Director Marrice Coverson and Author Glenette Tilley Turner.

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Literary Circle

Students read and discussed their assigned book during literary circles. Each student was assigned a role like "Discussion Director," "Literary Luminary," "Word Wizard," Creative Connector," Character Captain" and "Artful Artist." After meeting in their groups, students met and reported on their findings. Literary circle roles were rotated so everyone got to experience every role.

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Drama

Warmup songs and dramatic exercises spark students enthusiasm. Then, while reading their books, the students create original dramatic pieces that are performed during author visits and for special school assemblies.

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Meeting the Authors

After reading a book, students get to meet and interview the author. Pictured here is Nikkie Grimes (top), author of Jazmin's Notebook and My Man Blue. Also pictured are students with Darwin McBeth Walton (middle), author of Dance, Kayla!, and Glennette Tilley Turner, author of Running For Our Lives.

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Field Trips

Field trips to interesting places are part of the Open Book Program. Here, students are learning about paper making at Columbia College.

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