Four Square Writing Method

for
Grades 1-3

Four Square Writing Method

for
Grades 4-6

Four Square Writing Method

for
Grades 7-9
Powerpoint created by
Edmond Public Schools
 By
Judith S. Gould
and
Evan Jay Gould

Teaching and Learning Company

1204 Buchanan St.,
P.O.Box 10
Carthage, IL 62321-0010
Categorizing: Understanding Similarities

Before writing takes place, a thought

process must occur.
Our desired outcome for writing is a
focused, organized and detailed
composition; therefore, we must begin with
exploring the relationships between ideas
and objects.
Reasoning is developed by classifying
and categorizing the items in our everyday
world. This reasoning can be developed into
that prewriting thought process.
 Do a brown-bag activity, in which
students are given bags full of random items.
The students are challenged to separate the
items into different groups. Each group must
have something that is the same about all
items in the group. Modeling and coaching
are necessary, but most children happily sort
the items on the criteria of color, size, or
use.
 After several repetitions with real items, this
activity can then be done with picture cards. This
moves the activity up one level of abstraction and
towards producing written thought. At this stage the
four square organizer can be introduced and used on a
felt board or magnetic board with the appropriate
backing on the picture cards.
Box 2 Box 3
Picture Picture
Card Card

Topic (Box 1)
Box 4 Box 5
Picture Picture
Card Card
 After students have achieved mastery in the
picture card exercise, they are ready for the
more abstract cut-and-paste activity.
Cut out pictures that belong in the four
square and paste in the four boxes.

Pets

Color the pictures.

 After practice with cut-and-paste
activities, the students can be moved to a
blank four square worksheet or journal
page. The topic is written in the middle
and the students must draw the items in
the outer boxes. Encourage labeling of
their pictures, and allow any spellings they
come up with at this point. It is
recommended that the conventional spelling
be penciled in because students often do
not remember what they themselves have
drawn or written.
Draw the pictures that belong in the four
square and label them.

People in my family
 The blank four square can be successfully
used as a daily journal page. The students can
copy the word that goes in the center and complete
the categorization in the outer boxes. Topics for
this activity are nearly limitless. Pages can be
done as you study shapes, numbers and colors.
Four squares can be completed on a letter being
studied by simply drawing four items that begin
with the letter sound. Common items can be
classified by writing toys, foods, animals, sports or
other popular topics in the center.
 When students are comfortable using the
four square as a format for compiling like ideas,
they can move to the next level writing a single
sentence to summarize their feelings. The
teacher will prompt them to think about the topic
and how it makes them feel.
Give three examples and a feeling sentence. The
sentence should have topic and emotion word.

_______________ ______________

Insects

______________ Feeling Sentence:

_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________

Cloze activity if needed: _____ make me feel ____.

 BIG STEP

The next step requires the center box to contain a

complete sentence. Also, each box must contain a
complete sentence which states a reason, example or
explanation that proves the center box true. The
teacher will need to take time to work on the
difference between fact and opinion.
Write three sentences that prove the topic.
Then write a feeling sentence. You may draw
pictures to go with your sentences.

________________ ________________
________________ ________________
________________ ________________

Summer is a great season.

________________ Feeling Sentence:

________________ _______________
________________ _______________
_______________
 Mini Four Square Books
Directions: Complete the four square and illustrate.
Then cut along lines. You may make construction
paper covers. Staple together to form a book.

________ ________
________ ________
________ I like to ________
have
friends.
________ ________
________ ________
________ ________
Now its time to write a paragraph. The rules for
paragraph writing are introduced. This is a
good time to look at chapter books and observe
what paragraphing looks like.
1. Indent the first word only. (Two fingers)
2. Fill the line completely. (No blank spaces at
the end of a line Each sentence need not
start on its own line.)
 __________ __________
Directions: Complete the
__________ __________
four square with three __________ __________
sentences and a feeling ______
Its great ______
to have a
sentence. Then write the pet.
__________ Feeling
paragraph on the lines __________ Sentence:__
below. __________ __________
__________ __________
________ ______

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
 4 Square + 1 = Adding More Details for Elaboration
1. Ask for an example.
2. Tell us why it is so great.
3. Tell more about it.
(This level is usually reached by end of 1st grade.)
Once a level of mastery is reached with the
five-sentence paragraph, students can begin to
build an eight-sentence paragraph. By adding one
additional detail sentence in each box, the
students are elaborating on the original reason,
example or explanation. Elaboration of a point is
requisite of good writing, and even first graders
are able to accomplish this using the four square
plus one formula.
Directions: complete the four square + 1.
Remember that the details should support the first
sentence in the box.

It would be fun to I would like to go on

meet Mickey. the rides.
Detail:____________ Detail:____________
_________________ _________________

It would be great to visit Disney World.

The parade is great. I would love to go to

Detail:____________ Disney World.
_________________
 The tools so far have been appropriate for
the primary grades, where the reasonable goal is to
write one well-supported paragraph with good detail
and organization. However, the four square, by
design, is a tool for writing a five-paragraph essay
of the three-pronged-thesis-and-development type.

Now, we will put aside the feeling sentence

for the wrap-up sentence. We will also
abbreviate the supporting ideas in the four square to
a word or short phrase and eliminate the use of
complete sentences. Four square will take on a role
as more of a prewriting tool, rather than a drafting
tool.
Directions: Write a reason, example or explanation in
each box to support the center box. Then write a
wrap-up sentence to complete the four square.

Learn Friends

School is a great place.

Play School is a great

place because we
learn, meet
friends and play.
 Four Square + 3
The reasons, examples or explanations
developed in the previous step now need further
development. In a sense, boxes 2, 3 and 4 will
each be four squared independently. These
details will make up the substance of the body
paragraphs of our multiple-paragraph essay.
Using the four square to develop these ideas
ensures that details are aligned with the main
ideas and topic sentences start every paragraph.

development
Directions: Write a reason, example or explanation
in each box to support the main idea sentence in the
center box. Then give three details for each. Write
a wrap-up sentence.

Learn Friends
1. Reading 1. Share lunch
2. Math 2. Invite over
3. Science 3. Do homework
together
School is a great place.

Play School is a great place

1. In centers because we learn,meet
2. On playground friends and play.
3. On play day
 Evaluating Four Square + 3

Student Name_________________________
Topic_________________________________

Yes No
Are the four square reasons quantifiable and not opinions? __ __
Is there repetition of detail? __ __
Are the details logical expansion of the reasons? __ __
Are the details quantifiable and factual, free of opinion? __ __
Are there mechanical errors in the wrap-up sentence? __ __
 By now students are developing their thesis
(box 1, the middle box) into three reasons,
examples or explanations (boxes 2, 3, and 4) and
supporting elaboration. These reason boxes
should be different from one another. These
differences necessitate the use of transitions
between ideas.

Four Square + 3 + C (Connecting Words)

Color-coded wall posters of connecting words help

the students to know which words are appropriate
for different situations.
 Wall Poster

Green Yellow

Yellow Red
Color the border of this wall poster
green.

One reason
First
For example
One example
To begin with
To start with
Color the border of this wall poster yellow.

Second
Third
Another reason
Another example
Also
As well as
Too
In addition
Additionally
Color the border of this wall poster red.

Last
Finally
In conclusion
In summary
In short
So you can see
As one can see
To summarize
Hence
Write a reason, example or explanation in each box to support
the main idea sentence in the center box. Give three details
for each. Choose connecting words. Write a wrap-up sentence.
First Also
Connecting Word Connecting Word
Learn Friends
1. Reading 1. Share lunch
2. Math 2. Invite over
3. Science 3. Do homework together

School is a great place.

Next Wrap-Up Sentence
Connecting Word So you can see
Play
1. In centers School is a great place
2. On playground because we learn, meet
3. On play day friends and play.
 Four Square + 3 + C = 5 Paragraphs
Taking the Writing off the Organizer
Using a whole-class format, build a four square
together. As the teacher is modeling the composition,
the students are copying it. This is a good time for
instant reminders of paragraphing, capitalization, and
punctuation rules.

2 3
1
4 5
Directions: For the given four square, write
the information in the five-paragraph format.

First Also
Sleep Late Play around
1. Wear pajamas 1. Roller blade
2. Dont shower 2. Board games
3. Lie around 3. Cards

Weekends are great.

Next In conclusion
Stay Up Late
1. Sleepovers Weekends are great
2. Scary Movies because you can sleep
3. Popcorn late, play around and
stay up late.
 Improving the Introductory Paragraph:
Writing the Thesis Statement

First Paragraph:
1. Topic Sentence (Center of Four Square)
2. Wrap-Up Sentence (Without Connecting Word)
3. Personal Feeling Sentence
Example:
School is a great place. Its great because
we learn, meet friends and play at school. I
wish I could go to school every day.
 Improving the Final Paragraph:
Concluding the Composition

Final Paragraph:
1. Wrap-Up Sentence with Connecting Word
2. Personal Feeling Sentence, Question or
Exclamation
Example:
As one can see, school is a great place
because we learn, meet friends and play at
school. I just love school, dont you?
 Other Forms of Composition

DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVE

EXPOSITORY PERSUASIVE
 Narrative
In the beginning During the commercial
Cat food commercial came My cat got angry
on 1. Arched his back
1. Dancing cats 2. His hair stood up
2. Singing about food 3. Hissed aloud
3. I said How cute
The day my pet spoke to me
Who? My cat and I
What? Relaxing
Where? At home
When? In the evening
Just then
Why? It had been a long day
He spoke to me
1. Called the commercial Since that day
foolish Never spoken again
2. Said the food was gross Stopped buying food
3. Told me never to buy it My cat is not allowed to
again watch TV.
 One evening I was relaxing at home. My cat and I were
watching television. It had been a long day, and I needed some time to
wind down.

In the beginning of our favorite show, a commercial came on for

a brand of cat food I usually buy. This commercial had adorable little
dancing cats. The cats were singing about the cat food. I thought it
was cute, and I laughed out loud.

During this commercial my cat got angry. He stood up and

arched his back. The hair on his back was standing up. He let out an
ear-splitting scream.

Just then, he started talking. He called the commercial foolish

and snarled at the television. My cat told me that brand of cat food
was gross. Then he told me never to buy it again. I had always
thought that he liked the stuff!

Since that day my cat has not spoken again. I did stop buying
that brand of cat food. But because of his ill-mannered hissing and
growling, my cat has had a limit placed on his television time.
 EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NARRATIVE WRITING RUBRIC - GRADE 4
Student__________________________Teacher_____________________Score_____
4-EXCELLENT, 3-ACCEPTABLE, 2-BELOW AVERAGE, 1-UNACCEPTABLE

Score Traits

CLEAR, WELL ORGANIZED, WELL DEVELOPED IDEAS

___4 q Narrative is logically sequenced, with clear beginning, middle, and end. (Events are described in
___3 time order, with conclusion telling what happened as a result of the events.)
___2 q Transition words or phrases connect paragraphs smoothly. (First, Later, Finally . . .)
___1 q Lead sentence grabs the reader's attention. (Start with one of the following: something
unexpected, a quote, some dialogue, a question. . .)

SENTENCE VARIATION IN PARAGRAPHS

q Introductory participial phrase (Listening carefully, she heard . . .)
(Frightened by the noise, she jumped . . .)
___4 q Compound sentence (Ashley screamed loudly, but Serina ran away.)
___3 q 2 independent clauses separated by a semicolon (Lisa called for help; no one came.)
q Appositive phrase (Jacob, the best speller in the class, won the contest.)
___2
q Introductory prepositional phrase (From the bottom of the well, a noise . . .)
___1 q Introductory adverb clause (When John finished his homework, he . . .) (Until, Since, After,
Before . . .)
q Variety of sentence length

WORD CHOICE
___4 q Vivid, lively verbs are used. (Weak: Lea was bossy. Strong: Lea bossed her brother constantly.)
___3 q Imaginative, unusual adjectives are used. (beautiful, angelic, magnificent, awe-inspiring)
___2 q Vague, overused, repetitive language is avoided (a lot, very, really, then, big, pretty, and,
___1 like . . .).

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE - Give the reader a mental picture using the following:
 Descriptive Essay
One reason Also
The grass Memorial Park
1. Green 1. Plaques
2. Neat 2. Jerseys
3. No weeds 3. Baseballs

Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place.

Too As one can see

The electricity Yankee Stadium is a
1. Always there beautiful place because
2. Shouting fans of the grass, Memorial
Park and the electricity
3. Memory of greatness in the air.
 Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place. The beauty can be seen in
the grass and Memorial Park, and it can be felt in the electricity in the
air. I love to visit there.

One reason it is so beautiful is the grass. It is always frog-

green. The lawn is manicured and perfectly cut. Weeds are prohibited
from entering.

Also, Memorial Park is a special place. One can view the

plaques that have so delicately engraved in remembrance. There are
jerseys to view that were well-worn by the greats. They have
tattered, old baseballs which have priceless signatures.

The electricity in the air is beautiful, too. It is always there,

and you can see it in the eyes of the children visiting. The shouting of
the fans sounds like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the ears of a
baseball lover. One can sense the memory of greatness because their
spirits live in the air at Yankee Stadium.

As one can see, Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place because of

the grass, Memorial Park and the electricity in the air. You should
catch a game today.
 EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING RUBRIC - GRADE 4
Student____________________________Teacher__________________Score________
4-EXCELLENT, 3-ACCEPTABLE, 2-BELOW AVERAGE, 1-UNACCEPTABLE
Score Traits

CLEAR, WELL ORGANIZED, WELL DEVELOPED IDEAS

q Main idea (thesis) is clearly written in the introductory paragraph so that the reader understands what
___4 the writer is planning to describe.
___3 q Topic sentences in the middle (body) paragraphs clearly relate to main idea.
___2 q Supporting details clearly relate to the topic sentences.
q Transition words/phrases connect paragraphs smoothly. (First, Finally, In addition, On the other
___1
hand . . .)
q Introduction, body, and conclusion provide logical sequencing of ideas, leading to an understandable
description.

SENTENCE VARIATION IN PARAGRAPHS

q Introductory participial phrase (Burning like the sun, the diamond . . .)
(Carved from a massive cliff, the statue . . .)
___4 q Compound sentence (Lauren kept her secret, and no one else ever knew.)
___3 q 2 independent clauses separated by a semicolon (Ed studies karate; he works hard.)
q Appositive phrase (Lexi, my next door neighbor, is a Girl Scout.)
___2
q Introductory prepositional phrase (With her pen in her hand, Daniela began to write.)
___1 q Introductory adverb clause (After Eva wrote the poem, she had it published.) (Until, Since, Before,
When, Although . . .)
q Variety of sentence length

WORD CHOICE
q Vivid, lively verbs are used. (Weak: Lu is a soccer player. Strong: Running like the wind, Lu blasts the ball
___3 down the field.)
___2 q Imaginative, unusual adjectives are used. (scary, menacing, bloodcurdling, chilling)
___1 q Vague, overused, repetitive language is avoided (a lot, very, really, then, big, pretty, and, like . . .).

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE - Give the reader a mental picture using the following:
___4 q Metaphor (Callie's braids are thick, soft, twisted ropes of gold.)
 Expository Essay
One reason Also
Big Kitchen Fireplace
1. Room to cook 1. Warm
2. Lots of food 2. Crackling
3. Big refrigerator 3. Smoky smell

My home is a special place.

Third In summary
My Porch My home is a special
1. Screened place because it has a
2. Relaxing big kitchen, a fireplace
and a porch.
3. Cool
 My home is a special place. It is special because it has a
fireplace, a big kitchen, and a porch. It is a wonderful place to
live.

One reason my home is special is because I love my big

kitchen. It has plenty of room to cook. There is a lot of room
for all the food I like to eat. I like my large refrigerator most
of all.

Also, my fireplace is wonderful. On chilly nights it keeps

my warm as a mitten. I love to listen to the crackling. The
smoky smell reminds me of the days when I go camping.

Third, my home has a terrific porch. The porch is

screened, which is lucky for me. I am a bug magnet! My porch is
a great place for relaxing. Even on warm nights the porch is cool
because you can enjoy the evening breezes.

In summary, my home is special because it has a big

kitchen, a fireplace and a porch. I couldnt imagine living
anywhere else.
 EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EXPOSITORY WRITING RUBRIC - GRADE 4
Student____________________________Teacher____________________Score______
4-EXCELLENT, 3-ACCEPTABLE, 2-BELOW AVERAGE, 1-UNACCEPTABLE
Score Traits

CLEAR, WELL ORGANIZED, WELL DEVELOPED IDEAS

___4 q Main idea (thesis) is clearly written in the introductory paragraph.
___3 q Topic sentences in the middle (body) paragraphs give support to the central thesis (main idea) and
___2 are supported by detail sentences (facts, statistics, etc.).
___1 q Concluding paragraph summarizes points presented.
q Transition words/phrases connect paragraphs smoothly. (First, Finally, In addition)
q Introduction, body, and conclusion provide logical sequencing of ideas, leading to an
understandable explanation, instruction, comparison/contrast, problem/solution, etc.

SENTENCE VARIATION IN PARAGRAPHS

q Introductory participial phrase (Towering over the ruins, the pharaoh's statue . . .)
___4 (Buried by years of sandstorms, the ancient statue . . .)
___3 q Compound sentence (Jenny left the room angrily, but Andy did not move.)
___2 q 2 independent clauses separated by a semicolon (Jen left the room; Andy stayed.)
q Appositive phrase (Jillian, my cousin from Paris, travels around the world.)
___1
q Introductory prepositional phrase (In the back of the class, Sam yawned quietly.)
q Introductory adverb clause (Although Sam yawned, he was paying attention to the lesson.)
(Until, Before, After, When . . .)
q Variety of sentence length

___4 WORD CHOICE

___3 q Vivid, lively verbs are used. (Weak: Sally was angry. Strong: Sally breathed fire.)
___2 q Imaginative, unusual adjectives are used. (happy, contented, blissful, delighted)
___1 q Vague, overused, repetitive language is avoided (a lot, very, really, then, big, pretty, and . . .).
 Persuasive Essay
One reason Also
Chores Study Hard
1. Trash 1. Spelling
2. Walk dog 2. Math
3. Do dishes 3. Science

Kids should get bigger allowances.

In addition Hence
Use Manners Kids should get bigger
1. Please allowances because we do
2. Thank you chores, study hard and use
our manners.
3. Cover mouth when
I yawn
 Kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores. Kids
are always studying hard. We even use manners! It isnt easy being
a kid, and we deserve a little reward.

One reason for a larger allowance is all the chores we do.

We take out stinky trash every night. Walking the dog is really not
fun. And who likes doing dishes?

Also, kids study hard, and that should be worth something.

Spelling words take a long time to learn. For math we have to add
and subtract. Science homework keeps us busy, too.

In addition, kids use their manners, so they should get something in

return. Why do you think we say please? Thank you is another
way we are polite. Lets face it, we dont cover our mouths while
yawning for nothing.

Hence, kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores, study

hard and use our manners. How can you disagree?
 EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
PERSUASIVE WRITING RUBRIC - GRADE 4
Student_________________________Teacher____________________Score_________
4-EXCELLENT, 3-ACCEPTABLE, 2-BELOW AVERAGE, 1-UNACCEPTABLE

Score Traits

CLEAR, WELL ORGANIZED, WELL DEVELOPED IDEAS

q Main idea (thesis) tells your opinion. It is clearly stated in the introductory paragraph.
q Topic sentences in the middle (body) paragraphs strongly support main idea.
___4 q Factual supporting details clearly relate to topic sentences.
___3 q Transition words/phrases connect paragraphs smoothly. (First, Finally, In addition, On the other
hand, In conclusion . . .)
___2
q Introduction: Tell your opinion and three reasons why you support it. Middle (body) paragraphs:
___1
Tell your reasons (one in each paragraph). Support your reasons with facts. Conclusion: State your
opinion again and urge the audience to agree with you.

SENTENCE VARIATION IN PARAGRAPHS

q Introductory participial phrase (Listening to the legislators' arguments, he . . .)
(Convinced by the powerful argument, she . . .)
q Compound sentence (The North had the railroads, but the South had cotton.)
___4 q 2 independent clauses separated by a semicolon (The North was industrial; the South was
agricultural.)
___3
q Appositive phrase (President Lincoln, the great communicator, gave his speech.)
___2 q Introductory prepositional phrase (With that point in mind, he made the decision.)
___1 q Introductory adverb clause (Since he caused the problem, he was punished.) (Although, Until,
After, Before, When . . .)
q Variety of sentence length

WORD CHOICE
___4 q Vivid, lively verbs are used. (Weak: The council's decision was wrong. Strong: The council's decision
___3 angered the public.)
___2 q Imaginative, unusual adjectives are used. (big, immense, enormous, vast)
q Vague, overused, repetitive language is avoided (a lot, very, really, then, big . . .)
 Four Square The Total Writing Classroom is a
companion book to Four Square Writing Method. It
has many writing activities for students.

Vivid Verbs vs. Helpless Verbs

Change That Word (Sentence Improvement)
Say It Again (Alternatives for Said)
Give Me More (Sentence Improvement)
Shrink It (Sentence Improvement)
Triangle Sentences (Sentence Structure)
Homophone Help
Lose the Adjectives
Spy Cam
Show, Dont Tell
Three Levels of Support
Elaboration
 Ordering Information:

Four Square Writing Method Grades 1-3

ISBN 1-57310-188-5
Price: $12.95
Order from Best of Books for 20% discount.
($10.36)

Four Square Writing Method Grades 4-6

ISBN 1-57310-189-3
Price: $12.95
Order from Best of Books for 20% discount.
($10.36)
 Four Square Writing Method Grades 7-9
ISBN 1-57310-190-7
Price: $12.95
Order from Best of Books for 20% discount.
($10.36)
 Four Square Writing Method (previous slide) is the
book all teachers need. The books below (The Total
Writing Classroom) contain supplemental classroom
activities to use with Four Square lessons.

Four Square The Total Writing Classroom Gr. 1-4

ISBN 1-57310-333-0
Price: $12.95
Order from Best of Books for 20% discount!
($10.36)

Four Square The Total Writing Classroom Gr. 5-9

ISBN 1-57310-334-9
Price: $12.95
Order from Best of Books for 20% discount!
($10.36)