Objectives:
•Identify the benefits of the four
square writing method.
•Practice the steps of planning a
paragraph or a 5 paragraph essay
using the 4 Square method.
•Shift from 4 Square planning
template into writing a single
paragraph or 5 full paragraphs
essay.
KWL
Why?
To communicate over
distances
To communicate across time
To participate in society
To remember and record
To “make thought visible”
and express your inner self
What do we write?
Notes emails letters essays stories
Signs advertisements subtitles articles
Diaries/journals magazines plays recipes
Labels/brands brochures maps textbooks
Task: Plan your writing lesson on
the time frame below.
These
are the
steps in
the
writing
process.
What are the steps?
1 Prewriting
Planning and Thinking
• Getting your
thoughts down on paper.
•Free-write, outline, notes
•Discuss, think
Graphic Organizers
What is 4 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.
Benefits of 4 Square Writing
Provides a simple graphic organizer, which can
be used school-wide, grade K-12
The template:
Makes students’ writing more focused
Helps students organize their ideas
Helps students to elaborate by adding details
Emphasizes transitions
Scaffolds the writing process for student
success
Where does the 4 Square fit into the “big
picture”?
Grades K-2
The 4 Square can be a stand alone paragraph
Grades 3-12
The 4 Square is the body of a larger essay or writing
piece.
The 4 Square at this level ONLY provides the body
and a 3-pronged thesis statement.
Introduction and conclusion must be taught
separately.
To make this strategy successful for all of
your students you must:
Keep it simple!
Teach the 4 Square on its own
Provide multiple opportunities for practice with each new step of the
4 Square – repetition for automaticity
Don’t move on to another step of the 4 Square until your students
have mastered the current step
Remember, the goal is for students to
internalize the template’s structure and be able
to use it quickly and efficiently as a planning tool
for any writing task!
Writing Prompts
Writing Situation: Everyone has
a fond memory of a special day.
Think about a day that stood out
among all the others.
Directions for Writing: Write a
paragraph/ essay telling about your
special day.
Prepare the graphic organizer.
Now fold
your paper
into 4
squares.
Another way
First Paragraph
(Introduction)
TOPIC SENTENCE
Center of 4 Square
USE A HOOK
PREPARES READER
TIES ALL SQUARES
TOGETHER
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.
My grandmother My parents gave me a
threw me a surprise wonderful gift.
party.
I will never forget my
sixth birthday.
My friends and I went It was the best
to the zoo. birthday ever.
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.
My grandmother My parents gave me a
threw me a surprise wonderful gift.
party. •They surprised me
•She baked my with a golden
favorite chocolate retriever puppy.
fudge cake.
I will never forget my
sixth birthday.
My friends and I went It was the best
to the zoo. birthday ever.
•We rode the elephants. Add a detail in each box to
tell more about the
supporting sentence.
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.
My grandmother My parents gave me a
threw me a surprise wonderful gift.
party. •golden retriever
•favorite cake
•named Goldie
•tons of presents
•best friend
•exciting games
I will never forget my
sixth birthday.
My friends and I went It was the best
to the zoo. birthday ever.
•elephant ride
Now add three details in
•walked for miles
each box to tell more about
•rode train the supporting sentence.
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 [Link]
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.
My grandmother My parents gave me a
Early in the day, After lunch,
threw me a surprise wonderful gift.
party.
•favorite cake •golden retriever
•tons of presents •named Goldie
•exciting games •best friend
I will never forget my
Later, sixth birthday. Indeed,
My friends and I went It was the best
to the zoo. birthday ever.
•elephant ride
Adding a transition word to each
•walked for miles box will help the text to flow.
•rode train
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.
4 Square + 3 +T = 5 Paragraphs
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.
Improving the first
paragraph (introductory).
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…...
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.
Improving the Final Paragraph
(summary)
Wrap-up Sentence with
a Transition
Personal/Feeling
Sentence, Question or
Exclamation(closing
with a punch!)
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
From this basic format to…...
Step 1: Write the topic sentence in box 1.
Read the prompt.
“Write about your favorite meal.”
Use the words from the prompt to
write your topic sentence.
“Write about your favorite meal.”
My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.
Step 1: Topic Sentence
2 3
1. My favorite meal is
spaghetti and meatballs.
4 5
Step 2: Brainstorm 3 Reasons
2 3
Easy to cook Fun to eat
1. My favorite meal is
spaghetti and meatballs.
4 5
Delicious
Step 3: Write a Thesis Statement
2 3
Easy to cook Fun to eat
1. My favorite meal is
spaghetti and meatballs.
4 5
My favorite meal is
Delicious spaghetti and
meatballs because it is
easy to cook, fun to
eat, and delicious.
Step 4: Adding supporting details
2 3
Easy to cook Fun to eat
•roll up meat •twirl on fork
•throw in pot •slurp it
•pour store-bought •splatter the sauce
sauce
1. My favorite meal is
spaghetti and meatballs.
4 5
Delicious My favorite meal is
•tomatoes spaghetti and
•Italian spices meatballs because it is
•filling meat easy to cook, fun to
eat, and delicious.
Step 5: Adding transitions
First 2 Also 3
Easy to cook Fun to eat
•roll up meat •twirl on fork
•throw in pot •slurp it
•pour store-bought •splatter the sauce
sauce 1. My favorite meal is
spaghetti and meatballs.
Third 4 5
Delicious So you can see
•tomatoes My favorite meal is
•Italian spices spaghetti and meatballs
•filling meat because it is easy to cook,
fun to eat, and delicious.
Success Criteria
WRITE THE CRITERIA FOR
WRITING ON BOARD AND SHARE
IT WITH THE STUDENTS BEFORE
THEY START WRITING AND ON
THE FINAL DRAFT ASK THEM TO
CHECK IF THEY HAVE APPLIED
THE CRITERIA OR NOT
Differentiation
WHAT
ABOUT THE
LOW
ABILITY
STUDENTS
Practice
NOW IT IS
YOUR TURN
Moving from a 4 to a 5 or 6
Vocabulary
Sentence Development
(Sentence Stretchers)
Hook
Visual Expression
Sentence Development
Sentence Stretching
To catch theThe
reader,Hook
use a hook in the
introductory paragraph.
Ask the reader a question.
Use a catchy phrase or quote.
Create a tongue twister.
Make an exclamatory sentence.
Use a lead in sentence that entices
the reader to read on.
Visual Expression
At this point the
teacher has no more
control over the class
than a blind race car
driver would in a
NASCAR race.
Use metaphors and similes to give
your essay more visual expression.
[Link]
Next stop….
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Writing Assessment Scoring Rubric
Criteria Score 1 Score 2 Score 3 Score 4 Score 5 Score 6
Deficient Flawed Limited Competent Strong Outstanding
Organization Incoherent Weak Inadequate Adequately Generally well Well organized
organization organization organized organized
Development Undeveloped Not developed Not developed Developed Generally well Well developed
No details Little or no Does not explain Explains and developed Clearly
relevant details develop key ideas illustrates some Explains and explains and
key ideas illustrates most illustrates key
key ideas ideas
Language Syntax Limited or Limited or Limited or Adequate facility Demonstrates Strong
inappropriate inappropriate inappropriate word in the use of some syntactic Syntactic variety
word choice word choice choice language variety
Facility in use
of language
Mechanics Serious and Serious errors in Accumulation of Some errors in Generally few Few errors in
persistent mechanics, errors in mechanics, mechanics/ usage errors in mechanics/
writing errors usage, sentence usage, sentence mechanics/ usage
structure, or word structure usage
choice
Speaking Vs Writing
“Writing is a way of talking without being
interrupted.” -- Jules Renard
Isn't it surprising how many things, if not
said immediately, seem not worth saying ten
minutes from now? ~Arnot L. Sheppard, Jr.
[Link]
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