The Four-Blocks framework was developed by teachers who believe that to be successful in teaching all children to read and write, we have to do it all! Doing it all means incorporating daily the different approaches to beginning reading.

The Four Blocks

• Guided Reading
• Self-Selected Reading
• Writing
• and Working with Words

These four blocks represent four different approaches to teaching children to read. Daily instruction in all Four Blocks provides numerous and varied opportunities for all children to learn to read and write.

Doing all Four Blocks acknowledges that children do not all learn in the same way and provides substantial instruction to support whatever learning personality a child has.

The other big difference between children – their different literacy levels – is approached by using a variety of formats to make each block as multilevel as possible, providing additional support for children who struggle and additional challenges for children who catch on quickly.

Our primary teachers are continuing to implement the Working with Words Block.

The goals of this block are:

• to teach children how to read and spell high-frequency words
• to teach children the patterns which allow them to read and spell lots of other words
• to have students automatically, and fluently use phonics and knowledge of high frequency words while reading and writing

We are now moving into the Writing Block.
The goals of this block are:

• to have students view writing as a way of telling about things
• to help all children write fluently
• to teach students to apply grammar and mechanics to their own writing
• to teach particular types of writing
• to allow students to learn to read through writing
• to maintain the motivation and self-confidence of all students, even if they are struggling readers

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