826 National

826 National amplifies the impact of our national network of youth writing and publishing centers, and the words of young authors. We serve as an international proof point for writing as a tool for young people to ignite and channel their creativity, explore identity, advocate for themselves and their community, and achieve academic and professional success.

38,912

Students Served at 826 Chapters

40,470

Students Reached By 826 Digital

746

Student Publications

1,099

Teachers Served

1,739

After-School Tutoring Sessions

4,829

Active Volunteers

263

In-School Projects

805

Field Trips

1,005

Writing Workshops

Our students’ words will make you smile, think, sigh, cry so hard you laugh, and laugh so much you cry. Get ready to be inspired.

Read Student Work Here.

Join 826 Digital, our free online platform for all educators featuring writing curriculum that inspires students to write with confidence.

Grades 9-12

Narrative

Life in the Time of Coronavirus

By Princess McDowell, The 826 Dallas Project

Whether students write to process, to remember, to imagine, or to heal, this collection of prompts asks students to recognize how their world has changed in response to COVID-19.

Spark

Grade 4-12

Informational, Narrative, Persuasive

Essential Words: Letters of Gratitude to Essential Workers

By Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP, and Skylar Burkhardt, 826 National

Few expressions of gratitude are more meaningful than a personalized letter. In this lesson, students reach out to essential workers and return their acts of service and kindness by giving thanks.

Lesson

Grades 6-10

Poetry, Visual, Performing Media Arts

Poets in Revolt!

By Ola Faleti, 826CHI

The pen is mightier than the sword. In this lesson, students learn there's no better evidence of this than the poetry behind social movements.

Lesson

Grades 3-6

Narrative, Persuasive

Dream Schools

By Ashley Smith, 826 Valencia

Students design dream schools filled with creative and imaginative elements to improve learning, complete with origin stories, illustrated designs, and sales pitches.

Project

Grades 6-8

Narrative, Visual, Performing, and Media Arts

The Illustrated Word

By Jillian Wasick, 826 Valencia

In this activity, students illustrate a favorite word and explore what makes words meaningful through illustration, research, and discussion.

Spark

Chapter Highlights

Celebrating Young Authors’ Book Projects on 826 Day

August 25, 2020

“We want to show that we are aware of the social problems affecting us and our communities and that we yearn for imminent change to happen.” —Ysatti, Christofer, Laisha, and Maria, the Student Editorial Board of 826 Boston’s My Generation … Continue reading →

Friends of 826

A ‘Firelight’ For Every Dreamer: Jason Reynolds and 826 National present “For Every One”

August 20, 2020

“Dear future self, tell me that all the hard work, sleepless nights, and early mornings paid off. Tell me that all the suffering that I’m going through now has a good outcome.” —from “Dear Future Self” by Janeth C., Grade … Continue reading →