Writing |
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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. This step-by-step approach is built around a simple graphic organizer that first shows students how to collect ideas and then helps them use those ideas to create clear and polished prose.*Teaches Prewriting and Organization
*Work Cross Curriculum
*Prepares Studens for Demand/Prompt Writing
*Empowers Students to Write with Confidence
*Helps Improve Test Scores How to Create a Four-Square Graphic Organizer 1. Fold a sheet of manila construction paper into four equal squares. 2. Write a topic sentence in the middle of the paper. 3. In three of the squares write a complete sentence which states reasons, examples, or explanations that support the sentence in the center of the paper. 4. In the fourth box the students will write a feeling sentence to support the topic. 5. Students will then draw in each box, which will describe their sentences. 6. Students will then use their Four Square writing to write a story.
A basic 4 square has the topic sentence in the middle and then one reason in each of the first 3 boxes to support the topic sentence. The last box is the wrap-up sentence. The wrap-up sentence for now is very basic. It conatins the topic sentence, then the reasons listed in the same order as they are written in the 4 square.
4 Square + 3 is the same as above, only 3 supporting details are to be added to each of the first 3 boxes.
4 Square + 3 + C same as above. Now the student adds a "Connecting" word. This is also known as a puzzle piece. Listed below is a list of connecting words. These lists are by no means complete, only a sample. The first square connecting words are known as the GREEN puzzle pieces, square 2 and 3 are the YELLOW puzzle pieces, and the last square uses the RED puzzle piece.
GREEN
One reason
First
For Example
One example
To begin with
To start with
YELLOW
Second
Third
Another reason
Another example
Also
As well as
Too
In addition
Additionally
RED
Last
Finally
In conclusion
In summary
In short
So you can see
As one can see
To summarize
Hence
4 Square + 3 + C + V
The V stands for VIVID. Vivid is a good word to use to help kids to remember that they need to use adjectives, or describing words, to paint a picture of their story. We will be practicing by putting together a list of VIVID words to use in our writing and these will be posted in our classroom for all to use.
There is the bunch of bananas (the opening ). Next are the Bing, Bang, Bongo (or the body . Last is the barrel of monkeys (the closing ).
An example of a bing, bang, bongo paper: Bunch of Bananas: Bing: Bang: Bongo: Barrel of Monkeys:
I love toys. I have three favorites. I love my bike, my tool box, and my barbie doll. My first favorite toy is my bike. It is bright red.It goes very fast. My second favorite toy is my tool box. It looks just like my dad's.I like to build things. My third favorite toy is my Barbie Doll. She is beautiful. She has lots of pretty clothes. I hope you have three favorite toys as I do. Are yours a bike, a tool box, and a Barbie?
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