Book-Centered Professional Development Programs
The Whole Book Approach supports critical engagement with the picture book as an art form, places emphasis on reading with children rather than reading to children, and engages the group in a collaborative experience. Developed at The Carle by Instructor of Children’s Literature Programs, Megan Lambert, it is the Museum's critical framework and pedagogical method for understanding the art and design of a picture book and expanding its use as a tool for learning. Drawing upon Visual Thinking Strategies, Dialogic Reading techniques, and the child-focused discovery methods of the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education, it is the foundation for the following programs.

Three-hour program (3 PDPs) - $40 per person or $600 for the group
Six-hour program (6 PDPs) - $70 per person or $1200 for the group

Minimum 10 / Maximum 25 participants

To arrange a Professional Development program contact the Education Department at programs@carlemuseum.org or 413.658.1113.

The Whole Book Approach
(3 hours)
The Whole Book Approach, developed at The Carle by Megan Lambert, is designed to give educators the tools to evaluate the picture book as an art form and to encourage the critical engagement of students during picture book reading experiences.

A Book in Hand: Multiple Copy Storytimes for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
(3 hours)
Explore how using multiple copies of a single picture book during storytimes and/or classroom circle-times can benefit babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and adults alike. Through this innovative approach to looking, listening, learning, and communicating, connections will be made between visual and verbal literacy while examining the picture book as a visual art form and a physical object.
Available on a limited basis

Show Me a Story: Reading Wordless Picture Books
(3 or 6 hours)
Learn how to “read” a wordless picture book. Through presentations, discussion, and hands-on activities this program explores wordless picture books and their connections to visual and verbal literacy.

Using Picture Books with Older Students
(3 hours)
From Math to Language Arts and Social Studies picture books can be used to help differentiate instruction and make learning more fun and interactive. This workshop will provide strategies for integrating picture books in upper elementary curricula. We will explore using picture books to introduce new subject matter, simplify literary elements, and help students with their writing process. Available on a limited basis.