Writing Instruction Using a Four Square Graphic Organizer
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! Thi...