In Partnership with Students

The Songhai Press Young Publishers Program

At Songhai Press, we believe that literacy is a fundamental component of child development. This is why we have created our flagship program, the Songhai Press Young Publishers Program, which contributes to a lifelong interest in books and literacy by directly involving students in the writing and publication process. Simply put, the Songhai Press Young Publishers Program promotes self-esteem while building reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills along with a genuine interest in literacy learning. The Songhai Press Young Publishers Program immerses students in reading, writing, and authentic literacy learning as they collaborate to write, edit, illustrate, and publish a work of fiction. Under the guidance of a Songhai Press writing coach, students and teachers form a virtual publishing company, in which they actualize the writing process and experience, first hand, the rewards of publication.

The learning and pride that develops in the students, throughout this course, is shared with friends and family during a culminating event called the “Authors' Tea.” This critical component of the Young Publishers Program highlights the simple but important fact that children write for the same reasons adults do; they write for an audience and for a purpose. The Authors' Tea provides students with a forum to shine by showing not only their finished product, but also the literary journey through which it was created. Approved and recommended annually, by the School District of Philadelphia, as among the best in supplemental core curriculum programs, the Songhai Press Young Publishers Program has engaged thousands of students throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region in a one-of-a-kind learning experience.

"The Songhai Press Young Publishers Program was an excellent way for my students to actualize the writing process in a different way."

"The best part of the program was the way Mr. Gantt was able to motivate the students and develop their creative thoughts."

"The program was great! It sparked the children's interest in reading!"

"Each consultant was very patient and knowledgeable. It was a wonderful educational experience
that should be repeated annually."

(Grades 4-8)

The Songhai Press Full-Spectrum Young Publishers Program

This unique and unifying program extends the experience of the Songhai Press Young Publishers Program to students in a multi-grade setting.  By integrating the writing, editing, and graphic design components of publishing into the curriculum of 4^th, 8^th, and 10^th graders, respectively, students across multiple grades join together to create children’s books from within their own self-contained publishing operation.  Our Full-Spectrum Young Publishers Program is a powerful, multi-aged learning opportunity, which (like the Songhai Press Young Publishers Program) includes integrated assessments, a tangible finished product, and a culminating Authors’ Tea event.

Multi-Grade 4, 8, 10

The Songhai Press Youth Journalism Program

The Songhai Press Youth Journalism Program is designed to provide students with a powerful avenue for self- expression and discovery, a forum for communicating their own knowledge and thoughts about issues of special importance to them, and a means for increasing their critical thinking and literacy skills. During this intensive, hands-on program, a Songhai Press Writing Coach guides students through the process of designing and creating a full-color, professionally designed mini-magazine completely of their own writing. Using their own interests and background knowledge as the starting point, students utilize research,

interviewing, data collection, writing, and countless other skills to craft publishable pieces, including but by no means limited to opinion editorial, reviews, interviews, and objective articles on varied issues. Then, students gather and organize their writings into a cohesive and unique mini-magazine, complete with graphics, which is professionally designed, bound, and printed by Songhai Press. Along with delivering a life-lesson in the value of literacy and the power of the written word, the mini-magazine, and the learning that it facilitates, awards students with a lasting medium for expressing their voice and a method for making a positive impact on our world.

Holla Back: Proof of Success, a Role for Writing Beyond School

Perhaps the most exciting component of the Songhai Press Youth Journalism Program is the lasting inspiration it generates in students to continue to apply their new writing skills for both pleasure and self-expression. Every student who completes the Youth Journalism Program is eligible to submit his or her writing for publication in a full-scale, glossy magazine produced by youth for youth in association with Songhai Press! This professionally styled magazine, entitled Holla Back, is completely run and written by youth who have completed the Youth Journalism Program, and it provides students with an authentic reason for and larger vehicle through which to continue writing. Both the Songhai Press Youth Journalism Program and subsequent Holla Back experience arm students with the tools they need to skillfully express themselves through writing, while exposing them to the power, pleasure, and satisfaction that comes with writing for a purpose, for an audience, and most importantly, for themselves.

(Grades 9-11)

Becoming an author and presiding over his own publishing house was not exactly a childhood dream for Songhai Press president, Derrick Gantt. Quite the contrary, as a child, Mr. Gantt's primary goal was staying alive on the streets of South Philadelphia where he witnessed many of his peers fall victim to drugs, early incarceration, and untimely deaths. Frequent fights with childhood foes and neighborhood bullies kept Mr. Gantt, the seventh of twelve children in his family, out of gangs. In addition, an early love for reading and a supportive mother taught Mr. Gantt that independence and resourcefulness are the keys to success.

These were also the “keys” that led Mr. Gantt to eventually launch Songhai Press Corporation. Author and publisher, Derrick Gantt, shares his compelling life story with students, grades fourth through ninth, in this engaging one-hour presentation. The Songhai Press Author's Presentation program allows students to get up close and personal with an inspiring author as he covers topics such as African History, creative writing as a form of selfexpression, publishing, the entrepreneurial experience, and the importance of culturally relevant stories. This interactive presentation highlights the events that inspired Mr. Gantt to create his own publishing company, which specializes in culturally relevant literacy experiences for children, teachers, and families. The Songhai Press Author's Presentation challenges students by educating them about the untold legacies of African and African American history, culture, heritage, and perspective.

(Grades 4-9)

In Partnership with Parents

The Songhai Press Raising Readers Workshop

In this gripping workshop, parents, educators, and child caregivers examine the importance of exposing children to literature as early as possible and discover why it is crucial for children to see themselves reflected positively in their reading material.  Literacy learning/teaching topics including cultural relevance, connecting with students’ background knowledge, student ownership, and authentic purpose are just a sampling of the key points this informative and useful seminar investigates.  Participating parents and caregivers learn how to support the fundamental role they play in their child’s literacy learning by becoming a partner in their child's literacy education, and they gain knowledge about accessible methods to help make reading a fun and rewarding family activity.  All Raising Readers program participants receive a comprehensive literacy packet filled with tools and strategies they can employ at home, along with a culturally relevant, starter set of books (including 30 copies each of the titles The Story Teller I & II, Hey Pop-Pop!, and Eboni and the Dinosaur) and a one-of-a-kind, Songhai Family Journal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

"I really enjoyed the workshop, it was very educational for me. I will definitely take the suggestions and use them to the best of my ability. Thanks for sharing!"

"The workshop this morning was great! I got lots of ideas to get my child to read, read, read and read!"

"The workshop as a whole was excellent. It held my interest from beginning to end! My granddaughter came to meet the person who wrote Eboni and the Dinosaur."

"I really enjoyed the workshop. It made my day."

"The workshop this morning was great! I got lots of ideas to get my child to read, read, read, and read!"

(Grades 3-12)

The Songhai Press Designing The Future Workshop

Parents and caregivers attending the Designing The Future workshop explore the significance of approaching post-secondary education as a goal that is not only desirable, but also “attainable and expected.” Through engaging activities and powerful discussions, parents and caregivers:

Attendees go home with a clear picture of the importance of college for our young people as well as an understanding of its accessibility. Also, participants acquire useful and immediately applicable resources to help facilitate the college attainment process.

(Grades 5-12)

The Songhai Press P3 (Parent Publishers Program)

This dynamic series of workshops combines our Raising Readers program with a tailormade Young Publishers Program designed especially for parents. Over the course of six sessions, parents and caregivers learn, first-hand, the value of making literacy learning a family activity, of exposing children to culturally relevant reading material, and of participating directly in a child's learning and love of books. Furthermore, parents and caregivers work with a Songhai Press writing coach to write, illustrate, and publish their own children's book! The P3 course includes one Raising Readers workshop, four workshop sessions with a Songhai Press writing coach, an Authors' Tea celebration, and 50 copies of the published children's book.

(Parents/guardians of students Pre-K-6)

In Partnership with Teachers

Songhai Press Professional Development:
Young Publishers Program Training and Licensure

Make the publishing experience a fundamental component of your school's literacy program with the Songhai Press Young Publishers Program Training and Licensure! During this exciting, hands-on workshop, a seasoned Songhai Press writing coach will bring educators through the Young Publishers experience from the pedagogical perspective. Teachers receive comprehensive training on conducting the Young Publishers Program within their own classrooms as well as learn engaging and effective methods and strategies to enhance their writing instruction across the curriculum.

(Teachers, Literacy Coaches and others serving students grades 3-8)

Songhai Press Professional Development - Beyond Mechanics:
Teaching the Love and Magic of Writing

In this professional development workshop, Songhai Press brings its years of experience in writing with young people to the worktable of teachers and administrators. Beyond Mechanics delivers proven and accessible techniques, which educators can use to move beyond the teaching of writing mechanics into the arena of inspiring within students a true love of and passion for writing. Teachers will leave the workshop with classroom-ready tools and innovative strategies to help instruct students in the process of writing as well as authentic methods for igniting writing creativity and enthusiasm.

(Teachers, Literacy Coaches, and other professionals who serve students grades 3-8)