What Parents Can Learn from the Four Blocks Literacy Model
What is the Four Blocks Literacy Model?
The Four Blocks Literacy Model is comprised of the four ways that children learn to read and write: Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Working with Words, and Writing. The focus of the Four Blocks Literacy Model is on incorporating these four components into classrooms on a daily basis. In addition, Four Blocks and it's founders, Dorothy Hall and Patricia Cunningham, believe that even in a multilevel classroom, the Four Blocks Literacy Model has the potential to meet the reading and writing needs of every child without setting up traditional reading groups. According to the Four Blocks website, the literacy model allows for "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." (SOURCE)
What can parents learn from the Four Blocks Literacy Model?
For starters, parents who are familiar with the Four Blocks are going to realize that not all children learn the same way or should be instructed in the same way. Though this may sound like common sense, many parents waste time comparing one child to another even within their own home. The Four Blocks Literacy Model's premise reminds parents that all children learn in different ways and may need instruction to meet their own particular needs.
In addition, the Four Blocks Literacy Model stresses to parents the importance of not only guided reading, but self selected reading. Parents may overlook the fact that children will only learn and grow as readers when they are offered varied opportunities to read what they want to read. Though parents may not see the educational value in comic books, I assure you that it is there. By providing children with opportunities to select their own reading materials, parents are encouraging a love of reading that cannot be fostered without these opportunities.
The Four Blocks Literacy Model reminds parents that writing and reading go hand in hand in developing early literacy skills. Parents should be providing their children with opportunities to write as well as read when they are at home. Even the simple act of asking children to tell you about their picture and writing down what they said underneath teaches children that they can write their own stories as well as read them. This understanding is crucial for children as they learn about the written word.
Finally, the Four Blocks Literacy Model can help parents as they develop a better understanding of how to meet their child's educational needs outside of the school day. Children who go to traditional schools with traditional reading textbooks, spelling lists, and regular writing prompts may need some of these extra opportunities that are central to the Four Blocks when they are at home. Parents can consider supplementing their child's education with the Four Blocks while they are at home, providing opportunities for writing about what your child is interested, chances to play with their spelling words instead of just memorize them, or opportunities to allow your child to read to you or to himself on a regular basis. For homeschooling parents, many of the ideas found in the Four Blocks have the potential to enhance your educational curriculum.
What should I take from all of this as a parent?
Parents play an essential role in their child's early literacy development. By familiarizing themselves with literacy models such as the Four Blocks, parents are able to encourage and enhance this development. The Four Blocks Literacy Model has the potential to reach outside of the school based classroom and into your home or homeschooling classroom, too.
RESOURCES:
The Four Blocks Literacy Model; Overview; http://www.four-blocks.com/overview.htm and http://www.four-blocks.com
Published by Kelly Herdrich - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness, Travel and Lifestyle
Kelly has a bachelor's degree in elementary education, raises three young daughters, and recently returned from three years living and traveling overseas. Since beginning her freelance writing career, Kelly... View profile
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- Parents should remember that all children, even siblings, may learn differently.
- Providing opportunities at home for self selected reading and writing are essential.
- Parents can enhance their child's school curriculum with the elements of the Four Blocks.
15 Comments
Post a CommentThanks for this. We are at the learning the alphabet stage in my house.
WOW..this is a very informative Article!..Thanks for sharing this!
This is an excellent overview of the program. I have worked with the kids who are not up to grade level in reading in my children's elementary school and have observed that the problems are not necessarily in the areas of decoding and finding books of interest. Some kids need more life foundation skills in order to make them readers. Others need a hook to get them to pay attention, something that reading methods don't usually provide. When teachers move away from groups to self-guided work, there is even more risk many kids won't get the attention they need, and of course the higher performers are virtually abandoned so the teacher can do one on one or very small group work with those who lag the most.
I have not heard of this. This sounds like a wonderful method!
Kelly, That's very interesting and you are right on. One teacher really dropped the ball with Word Wall. I felt it contributed to my son's slow learning to spell. This year's teacher is handling it much differently and much more thoroughly. I'm anxious to see my son's progress.
This is a great resource! Thanks for sharing this valuable information, Kelly.
Sophie
Shoey, the word wall is actually one of the components of the Working with Words section of the Four Blocks. However, it shouldn't be the ONLY component, which is where many teachers fall flat. Other activities such as making words are an essential part of the Working with Words block, and shouldn't be overlooked. Many classrooms have taken and adapted the Word Wall to suit their own teaching styles, and often miss other essential components!
Very interesing! I'm going to check out the links you posted. I'd like to learn even more. I've been very disappointed with the "Word Wall" method (not sure of the official name) they've used in my son's classroom over the years. Thanks for the info!
Great information. I haven't heard of the method before & I'm interested!
One thing I wanted to add (and just realized might not be clear in my article) is that the Four Blocks Literacy Model is used in SOME classrooms throughout the US. It's especially popular in North Carolina, where WFU and its founders are located, as well as the midwest in certain places. The program is on the newer side, and really tries to combine a phonics and whole language approach to literacy. I just wanted to make sure these things were clear to readers! Thanks for the comments so far.