What if we viewed every read aloud as an invitation to learn more about literacy and ourselves?
Kwame Alexander wrote, “If JoEllen McCarthy were a chef, then Layers of Learning would be her cookbook. These carefully selected recipes for read-alouds are inventive and engaging.” This friendly, hands-on book today is full of over 200 picture-book suggestions and practical strategies for incorporating social-emotional learning into your instruction using those books you read aloud every day. “Come on in her kitchen, the results are delicious.”
Find out what else folks are saying about Layers of Learning by JoEllen McCarthy.
“For decades JoEllen has consistently tugged us back to the simple majesty of reading aloud great books with students and discussing them together."
“For decades JoEllen has consistently tugged us back to the simple majesty of reading aloud great books with students and discussing them together. In this book, she offers everything you need to make this work a reality for you and your kids.” — Kate and Maggie Roberts, Authors and Guest Teachers
"JoEllen shares books and examples of the important ways that read-aloud in classrooms works to simultaneously grow readers’ skills and to grow their hearts.”
“In this important book, JoEllen McCarthy reminds us that the heart of read-aloud is in the community. Read-aloud routines have the power to support readers and create safe spaces for students to make sense of our world and more. JoEllen shares books and examples of the important ways that read-aloud in classrooms works to simultaneously grow readers’ skills and to grow their hearts.” —Franki Sibberson, Teacher, Author, and NCTE Past-President
“The world needs this book NOW."
“The world needs this book NOW. JoEllen McCarthy masterfully weaves together reading and writing instruction through the lens of social emotional learning to help students understand themselves, each other, and the world. Using books as co-teachers, Layers of Learning guides readers to identify the why and recognize that ‘literacy has the power to influence and change lives.’ A timely book that identifies the most important lessons we may teach: connection, compassion and care. Literacy has the power to influence and change lives.” —Kristin Ziemke, Author and Innovation Specialist, Big Shoulders Fund
"JoEllen McCarthy invites us into ways we can blur the lines between our hearts, our heads, and our hands.”
“Layers of Learning provides an amazing array of powerful picture books to connect hearts and learning. Through a teacher-friendly framework, JoEllen McCarthy invites us into ways we can blur the lines between our hearts, our heads, and our hands.” —John Schu, Scholastic Book Ambassador
"This spectacular guide makes me long to teach again.”
“This wonderful book takes teachers by the hand and heart and leads them on a journey of connection to picture books, themselves, and their students of any age. Inspiring. Motivating. A reminder of the impact teachers have on kids’ lives. This spectacular guide makes me long to teach again.” —Lynda Mullaly Hunt, New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
JoEllen McCarthy is a lifelong learner and staff developer who spends her days facilitating collaborative coaching conversations that support a curriculum of children and emphasize literacy as a vehicle to care. As the Educator Collaborative’s Book Ambassador, JoEllen spreads her enthusiasm for the role literature plays in all aspects of education.
Behind the Book with JoEllen McCarthy
Check out Behind the Book with JoEllen McCarthy, a new video series in which JoEllen interviews the authors of well-known children's books about what inspired them to write these engaging stories and texts and what they hope students (and teachers) will learn from them.
Episode 1: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
In this episode of Behind the Book, JoEllen McCarthy talks to author, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow about her children's book, Your Name is a Song.
Episode 2: Charles R. Smith, Jr.
In this episode of Behind the Book, JoEllen McCarthy talks to author, Charles R. Smith, Jr. about his children's book, I Am America.
