Writing Instruction Using a Four Square Graphic Organizer

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Writing Instruction Using a 
Four Square Graphic Organizer

My favorite graphic organizer to use when teaching my elementary students writing is the Four Square. 

Here's why I like it:

1- It is ONE template they can use for narrative, informational/informative, and opinion writing.

Their brains don't have to juggle "which template do I use for this style of writing?"

For narrative, we write the exposition (character and setting) information in the middle box. Then for the "detail" and conclusion boxes, we write the progression of events, including rising action (detail 1), climax (detail 2), falling action (detail 3), and resolution (conclusion).

For opinion, we write the opinion in the middle box, and then in the next 3 boxes, we write 3 reasons for our opinion, and then finally, the conclusion.

For informational, we write our topic sentence in the middle, and then 3 supporting details, and then the conclusion.

2- It can be used for words OR pictures!

This means students at all levels and all writing abilities are able to access this tool.

Students who do not yet write words independently may copy from the board or be given a copy of the teacher's graphic organizer.

BUT they may also draw pictures! After drawing pictures, they may dictate to the teacher their idea and the teacher may scribe the sentence - or support the student in creating a complete sentence. (This gets to another of my favorite tools that promotes writing independence for students of all levels - speech to text software!)

3- It is versatile! It can be used to write 1 paragraph or a 5 paragraph essay.

This means when I teach this graphic organizer in 2nd grade, students may use the same organizer through 5th grade.

When teaching students to write one paragraph, we write the topic sentence in the middle, 3 supporting sentences in the top left, top right, and bottom left boxes, and the concluding sentence in the bottom right box.

With a 5 paragraph essay, students may either write the topic sentence or the full introduction in the middle box and then each additional paragraph in corresponding boxes.

I've also used it for a brainstorm with students, where we write topic sentences for each body paragraph, but then include bullet points for supporting details, rather than drafting the full paragraph in each box.

4- Students can make it themselves!

In their general education classrooms or for statewide testing (otherwise, when I'm not there to guide them!), students don't need to be provided a graphic organizer template. As long as they have sheets of copy or notebook paper, with 2 simple folds, they've created a four square graphic organizer independently.



Here's the link to the FREE Four Square graphic organizer in my TPT Store.

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