The Four Square Writing Method

The Four Square Writing Method (Judith Gould) is designed around the use of a graphic organizer in planning a piece of writing. It is a square box divided into 4 smaller squares similar to what you would have if you folded a piece of square paper into fourths. In the center of the page there is an additional box; therefore there are a total of five boxes. For younger students, the center box is designated as the topic sentence and the surrounding squares are the supporting statements based on the topic. The squares are completed in a clockwise fashion with the last square containing a feeling sentence.  The sentences are then recopied into a paragraph format that would look similar to this:

Fall is my favorite season. (from the center box)
I like to pick apples. (top left box)
I rake leaves in the yard. (top right box)
I drink cider and eat doughnuts. (bottom left box)
I love fall! (the feeling sentence from the last box—bottom right of page)

For older students, each box becomes a paragraph instead of a sentence.  Students transition from writing simplistic sentences to bulleting general ideas to formulate details for sub-topics.  The complete method includes lessons on topic development, transitional devices, writing to a variety of genres and writing conventions.

Carkenord Elementary is using the Four Square Writing Method across all grade levels.