Based on the writing program of Judith and Evan Gould

1. 4 SQUARE WRITING Based on the writing program of Judith and Evan Gould

2. Where is the writing in Reading Street? Everywhere!

3. What does research say?

4. What is Four Square Writing? • Four-square writing is a method of teaching basic writing skills that is applicable across grade levels and curriculum areas. It can be applied for the narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive forms of writing.

5. What is Four Square Writing? Cont… • Prewriting and organizational skills are taught through the use of a graphic organizer. • This visual and kinesthetic aid is employed to focus writing, to provide details, and to enhance word choice. • The visual organizers help students to conceptualize, understand, and structure a piece of written discourse successfully.

6. Writing Prompts • Writing Situation:  Everyone has a fond memory of a special birthday. • Think about a birthday that stood out among all the others. • Directions for Writing:  Write a paragraph/ essay telling about your favorite birthday.

7. Prepare the graphic organizer. Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

8. Topic Sentence I will never forget my sixth birthday. Fold the paper into four squares. Begin with one well written topic sentence placed in a box in the center. This will become the topic sentence.

9. My grandmother threw me a surprise party. My parents gave me a wonderful gift. I will never forget my sixth birthday. It was the best birthday ever. My friends and I went to the zoo. Add three supporting sentences (one in each box). The fourth box should be a feeling sentence that sums up the other three. All sentences should support the main topic in the center.

10. 4 SQUARE + 1

11. My grandmother threw me a surprise party. My parents gave me a wonderful gift. • She baked my favorite chocolate fudge cake. • They surprised me with a golden retriever puppy. I will never forget my sixth birthday. My friends and I went to the zoo. It was the best birthday ever. • We rode the elephants. Add a detail in each box to tell more about the supporting sentence.

12. From the graphic organizer to the lined paper……….. I will never forget my sixth birthday. My grandmother threw me a surprise party. She baked my favorite chocolate fudge cake. My parents gave me a wonderful gift. They surprised me with a golden retriever puppy. My friends and I went to the zoo. We rode the elephants. It was the best birthday ever.

13. 4 SQUARE + 3

14. My grandmother threw me a surprise party. My parents gave me a wonderful gift. • favorite cake • tons of presents • exciting games • golden retriever • named Goldie • best friend I will never forget my sixth birthday. My friends and I went to the zoo. It was the best birthday ever. • elephant ride • walked for miles • rode train Now add three details in each box to tell more about the supporting sentence.

15. Again from the graphic organizer to the lined paper……….. I will never forget my sixth birthday. My grandmother threw me a surprise party. She baked my favorite chocolate fudge cake. I got tons of presents. We had such fun playing exciting games. My parents gave me a wonderful gift. They surprised me with a golden retriever puppy. I named her Goldie. She is my best friend today.My friends and I went to the zoo. We rode the elephants. The zoo was so large we walked for miles. Finally we gave up and rode the train. It was the best birthday ever.

16. 4 SQUARE + 3 + T

17. My grandmother threw me a surprise party. Early in the day, My parents gave me a wonderful gift. After lunch, • favorite cake • tons of presents • exciting games • golden retriever • named Goldie • best friend I will never forget my sixth birthday. Indeed, Later, My friends and I went to the zoo. It was the best birthday ever. • elephant ride • walked for miles • rode train Adding a transition word to each box will help the text to flow.

18. I will never forget my sixth birthday. Early in the day, my grandmother threw me a surprise party. She baked my favorite chocolate fudge cake. I got tons of presents. We had such fun playing exciting games. After lunch, my parents gave me a wonderful gift. They surprised me with a golden retriever puppy. I named her Goldie. She is my best friend today. Later, my friends and I went to the zoo. We rode the elephants. The zoo was so large we walked for miles. Finally we gave up and rode the train. Indeed, It was the best birthday ever. 4 Square + 3 +T = 5 Paragraphs

19. Improving the first paragraph (introductory).

20. First Paragraph (Introduction) • Topic Sentence • Center of 4 Square • Use a hook • Prepares reader • Ties all squares together

21. Getting a year older may be bad for some, butI will never forget my sixth birthday. The attention that I received from friends and family made me feel warm inside. It was a very special day for me. On to the essay…...

22. Getting a year older may be bad for some, butI will never forget my sixth birthday. The attention that I received from friends and family made me feel warm inside. It was a very special day for me. Early in the day, my grandmother threw me a surprise party. She baked my favorite chocolate fudge cake. I got tons of presents. We had such fun playing exciting games. After lunch, my parents gave me a wonderful gift. They surprised me with a golden retriever puppy. I named her Goldie. She is my best friend today. Later, my friends and I went to the zoo. We rode the elephants. The zoo was so large we walked for miles. Finally we gave up and rode the train. Indeed, It was the best birthday ever.

23. Improving the Final Paragraph (summary) • Wrap-up Sentence with a Transition • Personal/Feeling Sentence, Question or Exclamation(closing with a punch!)

24. Getting a year older may be bad for some, butI will never forget my sixth birthday. The attention that I received from friends and family made me feel warm inside. It was a very special day for me. Early in the day, my grandmother threw me a surprise party. She baked my favorite chocolate fudge cake. I got tons of presents. We had such fun playing exciting games. After lunch, my parents gave me a wonderful gift. They surprised me with a golden retriever puppy. I named her Goldie. She is my best friend today. Later, my friends and I went to the zoo. We rode the elephants. The zoo was so large we walked for miles. Finally we gave up and rode the train. Indeed, it was the best birthday ever. The wonderful surprises from my family and friends will stay with me forever.

25. Now let’s try it! • Fold your paper • Box 1: Topic Sentence: There are some great reasons to use the four square in writing instruction. • Box 2-4: Write 3 reasons as to why it is great to use • Box 5: Write a feeling sentence • Viola!

26. Your Task • Alone, in partners, or as grade level • Look at the next writing piece (mini-lesson product, research and inquiry, or customized writing section) • Outline how you would use the four square to plan with students writing their paragraph

27. Example: 5th GradeResearch and Inquiry: Unit 3.1 Inventions/Inventors

28. Things to Consider… • Utah Core Standards state… • Conduct short research projects • Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing • Gather information from multiple print and digital sources, assess credibility, and avoid plagiarism

29. Rubrics! • Writing Rubrics and Anchor Papers

30. Database of Award Winning Children’s Literature—Example Texts