1. What is the 4-Square writing program?
The Four Square Writing Method (Judith Gould) is built around a graphic organizer. It is a square box divided into 4 smaller squares similar to what you get when you fold paper into fourths. In the middle of the page there is another box. For the younger children, the middle box is the topic sentence and the surrounding squares are statements on the same topic. The squares are filled in a specified order and in the last box is a feeling sentence. Then the sentences are recopied into paragraph form.
For older kids, each box becomes a paragraph instead of a sentence. There is more to this method including topic development, transitional devices, different genres of writing conventions like spacing and punctuation, but the main gist is organization of information about a topic.

2. Four-Square Writing Method in the Primary Grades

3. WHY 4- Basic language arts skills vital to success
Helps to fill gap between elementary writing experience and expectations of secondary levels
Disturbing results of assessments show children lack fundamental writing skills-cannot produce a focused, well-supported, and organized composition
4-Square provides a method of teaching basic writing skills
Should be accompanied by other writing practices (e.g. shared writing, journals, letter writing, etc.)

4. Getting Organized Learning the Four Square
Understanding
Relationships
Brainstorming
Adding
Details
Connecting
Words

5. Steps 1-5 Sequential- Kindergarten through First
Step 1 Categorizing-Understanding Similarities
Step 2 Labeling Writing with a Summary Sentence
Step 3 Placing a Sentence in the Center of the Four-Square
Step 4 Writing a Paragraph
Step 5 4-Square +1

6. Steps 1-5 Sequential- Kindergarten through First
Step 1 Categorizing-Understanding Similarities
Step 2 Labeling Writing with a Summary Sentence
Step 3 Placing a Sentence in the Center of the Four-Square
Step 4 Writing a Paragraph
Step 5 4-Square +1

7. Step 1- Categorizing Understanding Similarities
Initial activities use manipulative materials-concrete to abstract
Brown bag sort –real items to separate into groups
Picture card sort -4-square organizer is introduced
Cut and paste picture activity -4-square/topic given (See handout)
Blank 4-square / journal page-topic supplied -students draw pictures of examples to fit topic (See handout)
Blank 4-square / journal page –topic teacher or student supplied-students draw and label pictures of examples that fit topic (See handout)

8. Topic with 4 examples
Tootsie
Rolls
Caramels
Candy
Candy
Bars
Mints

9. Step 2-Labeling Writing with a Summary Sentence
Students now give three examples of the topic.
The fourth square is completed by using a concluding “feeling” sentence. (Refer to handout)
The sentence should have the topic and an emotion word.
Supply a cloze activity if needed (__makes me feel __.) A word bank of emotions might help.
Provide ample modeling and practice.
Practice reading in the correct order.

10. Step 3-Placing a Sentence in the Center of the Four Square
Using Reasons Instead of Examples
Provide practice in distinguishing fact/opinion. (See handout “Prove It”.)
The four square now has a complete sentence in the middle.
Boxes 2, 3, and 4 now contain sentences which prove the topic. Encourage illustrations.
Box 5 remains a feeling sentence.
Share stories orally or create mini books. (see handout)

11. Step 3 Four-Square /Reasons
It gives me
quick energy.
It stimulates
endorphins.
I like candy.
I enjoy the
taste.
I think candy
is great.

12. Step 4 Writing a Paragraph
Taking It Off of the Organizer
Because the completed 4-squares have been shared orally in previous steps students are familiar with movement through the 4-square
Use whole class model
Present Two Rules For Paragraphs

13. Two Rules for Paragraphs
1. Indent the first word only.
(Two fingers placed on the paper’s edge or margin) (No blank spaces at the end of the line. Each sentence need not start on its own line.)
2. Fill the line completely.
I like candy. It gives me quick energy. It stimulates endorphins. I enjoy the taste. I think candy tastes great.
Students check for five capitals and periods.

14. Step 5 - Four Square + 1 Adding More Details
Five-sentence paragraph to eight-sentence paragraph
Move writing back into four-square format
Add one additional detail in each box to elaborate on original reason, example, or explanation. Use complete sentences.
Mastery usually achieved by end of first grade

15. Four Square Plus One
Use the same prompt repeatedly to introduce the steps because the familiarity will aid in instruction.
We learn here.
I like to learn
science.
We meet friends.
My best friend is
in the class.
School is great.
We play in school.
I like to work at
learning
centers.
I love school.

16. Our example would read:
School is a great place. We learn here. I like to learn science. We meet friends. My best friend is in my class. We play at school. I like to play at learning centers. I love school.

17. Step 6-Writing a Wrap-Up Sentence
The First Step in Preparing for the Multiple-Paragraph Essay
Place writing back into four-square
“Feeling” sentence replaced with “wrap-up” sentence
Abbreviate supporting ideas to a word or short phrase
Conjunction (because, since, due) introduced in “wrap-up” sentence
Wrap-up sentence includes both topic and supporting ideas together.

18. Writing a Wrap-Up Sentence
Learn
We learn here.
Friends
We meet friends.
School is a great place.
Play
We play in school.
School is a great place
because we learn,
meet friends,
and play.

19. Adding Supporting Details
Step 7 Four-Square +3
Adding Supporting Details
Boxes 2, 3, and 4 will be 4-squared independently
These details make up body paragraphs of essay
No repetition of details from one box to another
Repetition equals boredom!
Prompt elaboration with questions
Read 4-square aloud to show formation of essay

20. 4-Square + 3 School is a great place. Learn reading math science
Friends
share lunch
invite over
do homework together
School is a great place.
Play
in centers
on playground
on play day
School is a great place
because we learn,
meet friends,
and play.

21. Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transition Between Ideas
Step 8 4-Square C
Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transition Between Ideas
Provide smooth transition between paragraphs
Critical to successful writing
Provide color-coded connecting words to ensure success
Student selects word from appropriate list: block 1 white, no connector word; block 2, green list; blocks 3 and 4, yellow list; block 5, red list

22. 4-Square + 3 + C Remember to read aloud the completed 4-square
4-Square C Remember to read aloud the completed 4-square. This will facilitate the change over to composition,
First
Learn
reading
math
science
Also
Friends
share lunch
invite over
do homework together
School is a great place.
Next
Play
in centers
on playground
on play day
So you can see
School is a great place
because we learn, meet
friends, and play.

23. Green Wall Poster Words
Transition Words for Block 2
One reason
First
For example
One example
To begin with
To start with

24. Yellow Wall Poster Words
Transition Words for Blocks 3 and 4
Second
Third
Another Reason
Another example
Also
As well as
Too
In addition
Additionally

25. Transition Words for Block 5
Red Wall Poster Words
Transition Words for Block 5
Last
In conclusion
In summary
In short
So you can see
As one can see
To summarize
Hence

26. Step 9 4-Square + 3 + C = 5 Paragraphs
Taking the Writing Off the Organizer
After building the 4-Square together, build essay together
Model and have students copy one sentence at a time
Self-checking mechanism for sentence building
Four items in boxes 2,3,4 means four sentences-four capitals and periods
All items in each box should not form one long sentence. This avoids run-on sentences.

27. Our essay would read as follows:
School is a great place.
First, school is a great place because we learn. It is important to learn how to read. Math is an interesting subject to learn. When we learn science it is lots of fun.
Also, school is a great place because we meet friends. I like to share lunch with my friends. I can invite my friends over after school. My friends and I do homework together.
Next, school is a great place because we play. At center time everybody plays. We play on the playground during recess. Play day in the spring is a day when we just play and do not work at all.
So you can see, school is a great place because we learn, meet friends and play.

28. Four Square and Beyond Across the Curriculum