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

2. Where is the writing in Reading Street?
Writing on Demand
Quick write
Concept Map—Written Response
Build Writing Fluency
Distributed Practice
Daily Mini Lessons
Variety of products/genres
Key Features
Modeled examples (TE and SE)
Quick write for fluency
Research and Inquiry
Connects to Question of the Week
Has a product every week (balance)
Customized Writing
Big projects
Connect to S.S./Science
Be selective
Where is the writing in Reading Street?
Everywhere!

3. What does research say? Recommendation Strong Evidence
Moderate Evidence
Minimal Evidence
1. Provide daily time for students to write.
2. Teach students to use the writing process for a variety of purposes.
2a. Teach students the writing
process.
2b. Teach students to write for a
variety of purpose.
3. Teach students to become fluency with handwriting, spelling, sentence construction, typing and word processing.
4. Create an engaged community of writers.

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. I will never forget my sixth birthday.
Topic Sentence
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. Add a detail in each box to tell more about the supporting sentence.
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 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. 4 Square + 3 +T = 5 Paragraphs
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, but I 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, but I 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, but I 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 Grade Research and Inquiry: Unit 3.1
Keywords:
Questions:
Visuals
Type of Advertisement
Purpose-persuade/inform, etc.
Newspaper/T.V. Commercial/Radio Ad
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