First and second graders at the East End Community School participated in a Side x Side program led by teaching artist Leah Cross that integrated a literacy unit on the alphabet with illustration, painting, collage, and bookmaking. To highlight letter recognition and sounds, students enjoyed a visit from visiting expert Meg Christie who led them in movement and improv exercises and games. Each student then chose an image to represent a letter of the alphabet and used drawing, painting, and collage to create a piece of art to incorporate the image and letter. All the art work was then compiled into one alphabet book representing the work of the entire class.