Over the last 3 years, Southlawn Elementary School has implemented the Four-Block Literacy Model schoolwide (K-3). The Four-Blocks - Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Writing, and Working with Words - represent four different approaches to teaching children to read and write. We have discovered that this framework meets the needs of our diverse student population.

The Guided Reading Block focuses on comprehension skills. The teacher chooses a variety of literature and sets the purpose for reading. Teachers guide students through the literature in various formats. Each lesson includes Before, During, and After reading activities that give students a purpose for reading. Some of these activities include picture walks, comprehension beach balls, 3-ring circus, and graphic organizers.

The Self-Selected Reading Block focuses on allowing students to read and enjoy text of their own choosing. The teacher begins the block with a read-aloud. During this time, the teacher can introduce children to a variety of literature and model the enjoyment of lifelong reading. After this, students choose their own reading material from a variety of reading levels and genres. While the children are reading independently, the teacher conferences with individual children about what they are reading. The final part of this block is to provide the children with various opportunities to share what they have been reading.

The Writing Block focuses on the full writing process, from brainstorming to published pieces. Each writing lesson starts with a focused mini-lesson that may include using an editor's checklist, choosing a topic, or punctuation. The teacher models and uses "think alouds" during the mini-lesson. The next part of the lesson allows students to write on either a focused topic or a self-selected topic. The lesson ends with various opportunities for students to share their work with the class.

The Working with Words Block has two purposes. The first is to ensure children can read and spell high frequency words correctly. The second is for children to learn patterns necessary for decoding and spelling unknown words. During the first part of this block, children practice 5 new word wall words each week as well as review old word wall words. During the second part of this block, children use patterns to read and spell new words. These activities can include, Guess the Covered Word, Making Words, Rounding Up the Rhymes, as well as many other phonics activities.

Our school has implemented the Four-Block Literacy Model slowly over the past few years. Our Kindergarten is using the Building Blocks component of the Four-Blocks to build a good foundation for our diverse population. It was important that our entire staff support the implementation of the Four-Block model. After we discovered how multi-level each and every block was, we saw the benefits of full implementation.

We will be presenting more information about the Four-Block Literacy Model at the NCA CASI Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday, March 29, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. We hope you will join us.

e-NEWS: December 2003 Issue