4 Blocks Overview
Four Blocks: Building Literacy
The Four-Blocks® Literacy Model is a multilevel, balanced literacy framework that incorporates four different approaches each day to teach children how to become better readers, writers, and spellers. Developed by Drs. Patricia Cunningham and Dorothy Hall, this model acknowledges that not all children learn in the same way and provides substantial instruction to support the learning personalities of all students.
Implementing Tips
- Be enthusiastic
- You have to "do it" to get 4 Blocks
- Choose one block that you can do easily. Go ahead and do it. But continue to do the others as you learn how to do them. Just focus on one block and continue to do the others.
- 4 Blocks will not be perfect the first time. It takes time to refine and polish it.
- 4 Blocks moves fast... this reduces behavior problems as students are occupied and interested.
- Time on task is important.
Guided Reading [40 minutes]
Expose children to a wide range of literature experiences with a focus on building comprehension using a variety of reading formats and before- and after-reading activities. Modeling is important with guided reading.
Self Selected Reading [30 minutes]
Provide children with opportunities to become lifelong readers through teacher read-alouds and reading self-selected books at their own level. The self-selected reading block is an "anchor" block.
Writing [30-40 minutes]
Develop essential writing skills through mini-lessons, modeled writing, collaborative writing, and independent writing.
Working With Words
Empower children to read and spell words through activities that build phonemic awareness and help children apply phonics.
The focus on the activities is to transfer.
Last updated: 07/20/2011
