Organization: Part 2: Definition of Terms

Four Blocks Literacy Model:
The Four Blocks Literacy Model was designed by Patricia Cunningham and Dorothy Hall of Wake Forest University to provide a framework for the effective teaching of literacy. The Four Blocks Model is a balanced or comprehensive literacy model. The first teacher to use the Four Blocks Framework was Margaret DeFee in North Carolina. The Four Blocks Literacy Model is a 2½-hour block, which consists of four components:
1. Working with Words
2. Guided Reading
3. Self-Selected Reading
4. Writing Workshop

Working with Words is the block in which teachers include phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary lessons.

Guided Reading is small group lessons in which children read books together with the guidance of the teacher. The books selected are at the instructional level for the children in the group. The groups are typically flexible because the needs and reading levels of children will vary. Reading level is determined by such assessments as Johns Basic Reading Inventory or Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA). Basal readers may also be used during guided reading.

Self-Selected Reading is reading that is done independently by children using books that are at their independent reading level as determined by such assessments as Johns Basic Reading Inventory or Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA). Many teachers do the complete Reading Workshop during this block. It starts with the teacher reading aloud to expose children to the broad range of literature that is available today. Children then read books they choose from selections at their independent reading level. During this time, the teacher conferences with children who have completed a book and keeps anecdotal records of his/her observations. The session ends with some children sharing their books with the class.

Writing Workshop in the Four Blocks Model follows the format of teacher modeling writing to the children and thinking aloud so that they can see the thought process that goes into writing. The session may be extended with guided practice and small group practice. Then children work independently on their own stories or projects. During this time, the teacher conferences with individuals and helps them edit their drafts. At the performance stage, the draft is final and the author reads it aloud. It may also be published in a class book or displayed.

Balanced or Comprehensive Literacy Model:
Balanced or comprehensive literacy models are frameworks for teaching reading and writing that incorporate all of the components that have been identified as essential to the effective teaching of reading and writing. The terms “balanced” and “comprehensive” are used interchangeably. This literacy model includes:
Modeled Reading
- Reading aloud
- Shared reading
Guided reading
Collaborative/ cooperative reading
Independent reading
Performance reading
Modeled Writing
- Writing aloud
- Shared writing
Guided writing
Collaborative/ cooperative writing
Independent writing
Performance writing

The Literacy Backbone:
The literacy backbone is a model that shows the literacy activities that must be included in a balanced or comprehensive literacy program. It includes all of the above components and lists the comparable reading and writing components side by side (see Figure 1 The Literacy Backbone )

Ohio State Literacy Collaborative:
The Ohio State Literacy Collaborative is a balanced literacy model that requires a 5-year commitment by a school building or district. The Ohio State Literacy Collaborative contains all of the components of a balanced literacy program and also includes Reading Recovery intervention for first graders who are at-risk of reading failure and professional development. For details, see http://www.lcosu.org/index.htm.

Reading and Writing Workshop:
Reading and Writing Workshop is another framework for organization of literacy classrooms. During reading workshop, the teacher models different aspects of reading for children. Then the children practice the concept collaboratively and finally independently. They share their reading with the class through some form of presentation. This could be reader’s theater. Writing Workshop follows the same structure with modeling a writing-related concept at the start of the lesson. Children practice the concept together in small groups. Then they write independently. They share their writing by reading it aloud during Author’s Chair. Reading and Writing Workshop contain the components of the Literacy Backbone.