Four Square: Writing Method for Grades 4-6: A Unique Approach to Teaching Basic Writing Skills

This approach is soooo much better than the outlining approach I learned over 30 years ago. I have no idea why it is so much easier for kids to fill in boxes than fill out an outline, but for some reason it is. My kids are writing basic reports quickly and easily and without the tears and frustration we had last fall. The method is easy to learn and use, and I highly recommend it. However, if you are more interested in teaching creative writing, then I wouldn't use this approach - in my view, 4-square is well suited to non-fiction reports and essays, but not for writing adventure stories, etc...

This is the best writing curriculum ever! When I taught my daughter the first lessons, she responded, "That was school? I didn't even know we were doing school!" It's easy to teach, very visual, and makes the child feel like a writing pro with the first lesson.

Very helpful for teaching young kids how to compose well written paragraphs and reports. Recommended!

I love this method of teaching. I have taught 4th grade for the past 2 years. The school I taught at last year used this method. My class loved this method and their writing improved. I moved to a new school this year and loved this method so much I had to buy my own book. I started using it with my class now, and they love it. It makes writing so much easier. My class always wants to know when it is time to write. I recommend this book to anyone who teaches writing.

This is a very practical, useful book for teachers working with writers grades 4-8. The 4-square method offers a simple, yet innovative graphic organizer which my students (7th grade reg. ed. and grades 5-8 learning dis./lang. impaired) found extremely easy to understand and use. The method is also helpful in notetaking from text or narrative, and the authors give some lesson ideas across curriculums.The graphics are serviceable, but seem more appropriate for younger students.