Ideas for action research

Source/reference: http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/framed_paragraphs

Framed Paragraphs

Framed paragraphs are pre-writing tools that help students write well-developed
paragraphs. They are skeleton formats containing information about the main ideas and
transition words that guide the organization and the development of supportive details. Framed
paragraphs offer a structure for students to use as they begin to write paragraphs and essays.

When to use: Before reading During reading After reading

How to use: Individually With small groups Whole class setting

More writing strategies
 Paragraph Hamburger

 Sentence Combining

 Transition Words

Why use framed paragraphs?

 It provides a framework for writing strong paragraphs

 The frame guides students by providing the transitional phrases for sentences

 It can incorporate various sentence types: long and short, simple and complex.

How to use framed paragraphs

1. Discuss how to write a framed paragraph by
using:

o A topic sentence — a general statement or

opinion

o Three to five examples that develop the topic or

opinion

o Transitions when needed

o A summary sentence at the end

2. Provide students with a blank frame.

3. Ask students fill in the missing portions of the

frame to write a complete paragraph.

4. Encourage students to incorporate a variety of

sentences: long and short, simple and complex.

Download blank template

There are many ways to create a frame for a
paragraph. This simple template helps children
summarize what they learned from their reading.

 Paragraph frame (36K PDF)*

Watch: Four Square Writing Method

Help students develop skills for beginning paragraph writing by providing a graphic organizer
that encourages them to use facts to support their main point. See the lesson plan.

This video is published with permission from the Balanced Literacy Diet. See many more how-to
videos with lesson plans in the Text Structures and Genres and Writing Processes and
Strategies sections.

You can also watch sentence frames in action in this video from the Teaching Channel.

Examples
Language Arts
This example of a framed paragraph centers on Holidays and provides additional space for
students to re-write the completed paragraph.

See example > (99K PDF)*

Math
This site includes an example of using a framed paragraph for writing a description about
decimals.

See example > (110K PDF)*

 Social Studies
This example shows how teachers can use a writing frame to develop a "compare" and "contrast"
essay.

See example > (28K PDF)*

English Language Learners

Using sentence frames to increase English language fluency at each level's language
development.

See example >

Differentiated instruction
For Second Language Learners, students of varying reading skill, and for
younger learners
 Vary the amount of information you provide in the frame. Some students may require lots of
transition words for sentences, others will need very few.

 Model the frame paragraph strategy with a text that is familiar to students before asking them
to complete it on their own.

 Some students may enjoy making their own frame for something they've read. Students could
pair up, write their own frames, and then trade texts and frames and complete the new frame.

See the research that supports this strategy

Ellis, E. S. (1998). Framing Main Ideas and Essential Details to Promote Comprehension.

Sejnost, R., & Thiese, S. (2007). Reading and Writing Across Content Areas 2nd Ed. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Children's books to use with this strategy

Racing Around
By: Stuart Murphy
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
Part of the MathStart series, this story centers around a boy's desire to ride in a 15 kilometer
bicycle race. Lucid text and clear illustrations are used to explain perimeters and more. The
series varies in difficulty.
Benny's Pennies
By: Pat Brisson
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
A boy has five pennies and spends them one at a time as he meets people during a walk. Told in
rhyme, this cumulative story is appealing and well supported by illustration.

Gold Fever!: Tales from the California Gold Rush

By: Rosalyn Schanzer
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
In the mid-19th century, the carpenter who found a nugget of gold in a river near Sutter's mill
had no idea that this would begin a rush to the West. Authentic voices from journals and other
original sources are seamlessly incorporated in the generously illustrated, engaging, and
informative book.

Me on the Map
By: Joan Sweeney
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
The United States is a big place which holds many children and their families. Maps and what
they show are introduced by a girl who begins with a drawing of her room in her home. The
house is then placed on a street, in a town, etc. until we see the U.S. as part of the world. This
accessible book may help children understand their place on the map — and in the census.
 Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman
By: Alan Schroeder
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
This beautifully written book, illustrated by four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Jerry Pinkney,
makes the story of Harriet Tubman's childhood accessible to very young readers. As a young
slave nicknamed Minty, Harriet Tubman was a feisty and stubborn girl with a dream of escape,
and a rebellious spirit that often got her into trouble. Pinkney's expressive illustrations bring
every emotion to brilliant life – from troubled sorrow to spirited hope for freedom.

Comments
My fifth graders write their first "official" research paper as part of the Science Fair process at
our school. I have created frames for the five paragraph essay to help the children organize all
the facts and data they find while researching. Children who do not need the frame are
encouraged to write the paper independently, but it is available for anyone who needs it. I think
the research paper frame is an invaluable tool for bridging the way to independent research
writing in the upper grades. Stacy @ http://new-in-room-202.blogspot.com

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 18, 2013 - 12:41pm

 reply
I used this technique to help students assess their performance in tests:The test was __________.
First, I _____________. Then, _____________. I found ___________ difficult. On the contrary,
I found _____________ easy to solve. I think I __________.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 10, 2013 - 9:23am

 reply
like it

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on September 13, 2012 - 7:34pm

 reply
 Add comment
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2. Paragraph Hamburger

The "paragraph hamburger" is a writing organizer that visually outlines the key
components of a paragraph. Topic sentence, detail sentences, and a closing sentence are the
main elements of a good paragraph, and each one forms a different "piece" of the hamburger.

When to use: Before reading During reading After reading

How to use: Individually With small groups Whole class setting

More writing strategies
  Framed Paragraphs

 Sentence Combining

 Transition Words

Why use a paragraph hamburger organizer?

 It helps students organize their ideas into a cohesive paragraph.

 It helps show the organization or structure of concepts/idea.

 It demonstrates in a concrete way how information is related.

How to use paragraph hamburger

1. Discuss the three main components of a paragraph, or story.

a. The introduction (top bun)

b. The internal or supporting information (the filling)

c. The conclusion (bottom bun)

2. Ask students to write a topic sentence that clearly indicates what the whole paragraph is going
to be about.

3. Have students compose several supporting sentences that give more information about the
topic.

4. Instruct students on ways to write a concluding sentence that restates the topic sentence.

Download blank templates

 Template 1 (78K PDF)*

 Template 2 (158K PDF)*

Examples
This PowerPoint presentation shows each of the pieces of the hamburger. The example provided
is about why a teacher loves teaching!

Launch PPT >

This site walks readers through each step of using the paragraph hamburger writing strategy.
Examples and instructions are given for writing topic sentences, supporting ideas, and
conclusions of paragraphs.

See example >

Differentiated instruction
For second language learners, students of varying reading skill, students with
learning disabilities, and younger learners
 Show them numerous examples of well-written paragraphs and have them identify the parts.
Or let them study it on their own by providing a number of paragraphs with the parts labeled.
 Provide students with some of the parts already filled in. For example, you provide all the
"filling" sentences, and ask students to write a good introductory or wrap up sentence.

 Provide students with one example filled in entirely. Ask them to cut out each portion and then
rearrange the pieces.

 Ask students to find a paragraph within their textbook. See if they can identify the different
pieces of that paragraph. If necessary, have them revise the textbook paragraph!

 Have them speak the paragraph before writing the paragraph. Use scaffolding. For example,
"What is one thing you would like to tell me about Fido (name of child's dog)." "How is Fido a
lot fun to play with?" (elicit details). "So what did you tell me about Fido?" (conclusion).

See the research that supports this strategy

Richards, R. (2008). A Student's Perspective on Writing.

Richards, R. (2008). The Writing Road: Reinvigorate Your Students' Enthusiasm for Writing.

Children's books to use with this strategy

Two Bad Ants

By: Chris Van Allsburg
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
Separated from the colony, readers join two adventurous ants and see the world from a very
different perspective.

I Face the Wind

By: Vicki Cobb
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
Children are encouraged to observe as experiment as they learn about wind and air as well as
practice science writing by describing their findings.
Frogs
By: Nic Bishop
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
Stunning close-ups of colorful frogs in their natural habitats taken by an acclaimed photographer
and biologist combine with clearly presented information on large, bright pages, sure to intrigue
as well as inform readers of all ages.

Diary of a Worm
By: Doreen Cronin
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
What icky creature looks the same from both ends? The worm, of course! For the first time ever,
get the insider’s view of life from this creepy crawler’s perspective. He lives underground with
his family, eats his homework and does his best to annoy his sister — documenting it all in a
diary. Simple illustrations are the ideal complement to the understated humor (though
nonetheless laugh-out-loud tone) of the text.

The Bunnicula Collection: Books 1 to 3

By: Deborah Howe, James Howe
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Family
Harold the family dog narrates three stories of life with supernatural suspicions which begins
with Bunnicula, the bunny with fangs. In the Howliday Inn while boarding at the Chateau Bow-
Wow, Harold and Chester (the Monroe cat) encounter a werewolf, perhaps. Chester and Harold
must stop zombie vegetables when the Celery Stalks at Midnight. Over-the-top humor is very
appealing to a broad range of listeners (including adults!).

Are We There Yet? A Journey Around Australia

By: Alison Lester
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
The year Grace turned eight, her Mum and Dad took her and her siblings on a trip around
Australia. The kids "missed school for the whole winter term" and Grace documented much of
what she learned, where she went, and the adventures they had as they experienced the diversity
of the continent. Grace’s informal voice is informative yet engaging, completed by line drawings
and simple maps.

Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure

By: Jeff Brown
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
Life as a paper-thin boy is not all bad as Stanley finds out. He was flattened by a bulletin board
bit adjusts quite well with the help of his parents to his new dimensions — all of which makes
for very funny reading (and travels in later books about Stanley and his family).

Comments
 Easy to follow and simple!! Thank you!

Submitted by Oliver hendrix (not verified) on December 10, 2017 - 10:33pm

 reply
I use hamburger organizer as my strategy in my thesis, for my refrences is there have a book
explain about hamburger organizer?!

Submitted by Jati Prani (not verified) on May 28, 2016 - 12:42am

 reply
I teach seventh and eighth grade Language Arts. My students do not know how to write
paragraphs. It saddens me. I used the hamburger paragraph when I taught elementary school
years ago, so I am revisiting it and praying it will help my students.

Submitted by Inez Tucker (not verified) on November 12, 2014 - 10:38am

 reply
Thanks alot, I found the best way to explain my students how to write a paragraph.

Submitted by Arely Soriano (not verified) on October 10, 2014 - 12:55am

 reply
I always use the hamburger organizer!!!!!!!

Submitted by one direction (not verified) on January 26, 2014 - 1:41pm

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This is great for my ELL students.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 8, 2013 - 9:28pm

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This relationship is great for forming the main idea of a section of text.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 24, 2013 - 8:38pm

 reply
 As a parent, I am fine w/the hamburger idea, even though it teaches kids to write in a very boring
and constrained way. Still, I think it's fine for elementary school. My main problem is that our
school teaches paragraph writing too early, in my opinion. Our second-graders really struggle
with it, but some of them still don't form their letters correctly. I wish they would push off
paragraph writing until late third- or even fourth-grade and focus on grammar, spelling, and
punctuation in the younger grades.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 17, 2012 - 7:15pm

 reply
Heyy This is probably the easiest one I've ever heard usually our class is Topic Sentence
Explanation Illustration & conclusion I will remember this for futre reference thanks
readingrocets.org :) !!!!!!****

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 15, 2012 - 2:54am

 reply
How would you use the picture books in with the hamburger writing? To summarize the book?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 19, 2012 - 4:02pm

 reply
I really need to learn writting paragraphs, so this is usefull for me

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 1, 2012 - 11:46am

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My teacher used this in our class two weeks ago..

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on September 6, 2011 - 11:44pm

 reply
Looking for a new strategy to teach writing. I think I've found it. Thanks.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on August 13, 2011 - 5:40am

 reply
I think this model is great! Use it for kids
 Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 22, 2011 - 7:35pm

 reply
I do something similar to this, but with a ham sandwich. It makes it easy to explain to the kids
that their sandwiches can have turkey or salami, but they are still sandwiches- just different!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 22, 2010 - 1:46pm

 reply
I always use the hamburger organizer when teaching paragraphs to second graders, so I love the
powerpoint. Thanks for sharing it!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 9, 2010 - 7:59am

 reply
Thanks for this great graphic organizer idea! I usually use the "umbrella" plan, but it doesn't
include a concluding statement. Also I like the students to use multiple kinds of graphic
organizers so that the concept transfers to other situations.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 12, 2010 - 11:32am

http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/balancedliteracydiet/Recipe/00052/

Four Square Writing Method

A Graphic Organizer to Support Paragraph Writing


Stage of Literacy Development:
 Stage 1: Beginning Literacy
Stage 2: Consolidation / Fluency
Stage 3: Literacy for Growth

Ages:
6-11

Grade Range:
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Food Groups:
Primary:
Writing Processes & Strategies, Text Structures & Genres
Activity Description

Preparation:
1. Make copies of the Prove It! and Four Square worksheets for each student
2. Reproduce a blank Four Square chart on chart paper
3. Gather pencils and coloring supplies for each student

Implementation:
Session 1:
1. Share a funny anecdote that illustrates that opinions can be unreliable, for example:
a. Teacher: I just ate some amazing food last night. It was scrumptious, yummy, and
amazing! Do you think you would like to try some?
b. Students: Yeah!
c. Teacher: Great! I didnt know you liked cows brains!
2. Use the anecdote as a discussion starter to explore why using opinions does not work well
when you are trying to prove a point
a. Help students identify that everyone has different perceptions and opinions
3. Introduce facts as an alternative to opinions, pointing out that they are verifiable and/or
quantifiable
4. Help students distinguish between fact and opinion using the Prove It worksheet
a. Allow students to complete it independently or complete it as a group, and then explain
the possible correct answers

Session 2:
1. Review the difference between facts and opinions
2. Show the class the Four Square method on chart paper, explaining that it helps you to prove
your points using facts
3. Explain that in the center square #1, you write a topic sentence (the statement you are trying to
prove)
a. For example, School is a great place
 4. Explain that in boxes #2-4, you write 3 facts that support your statement
a. Have the class come up with facts they can agree upon
5. Explain that in box #5, you put a feeling sentence that expresses how you want the reader to
feel about the topic
a. Write a sample feeling sentence
6. Write down the sentences in paragraph form and read the paragraph aloud
7. Hand out the Four Square worksheets and support students as they complete them
8. Bring the class together to share their worksheets

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Pair ELL and non-ELL students when working on Four Square sheets
- Illustrate or have students act out the facts they provide

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Continuously review the difference between fact and opinion
- When students are completing Four Square sheets, write down a selection of supporting
facts for students to choose from
- Allow students to work at a slower pace or to complete less supporting facts

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Encourage the use of diverse central topics that express students' interests

Differentiated Instruction:
- Encourage more advanced students to write their sentences in paragraph form

Related References

Source:
Gould, J., & Gould, E. (1999). Four square writing method for grades 1-3: A unique
approach to teaching basic writing skills. Carthridge IL: Teaching and Learning Company.

Evidence:
Lee, C. C., & Tan, S. C., (2010). Scaffolding writing using feedback in students' graphic
organizers: Novice writers' relevance of ideas and cognitive loads. Educational Media
International, 47, 135-152.

Recommended Books:

Four Square Writing Method: A Unique A…

Evan Jay Gould, Judith S. Gould (Paperback - Nov …
 Four Square Writing Method : A Unique A…
Judith S. Gould, Evan Jay Gould (Paperback - Nov …

Activity Objective
The goal of Four Square Writing Method: A Graphic Organizer to Support Paragraph Writing
is to help students develop skills for beginning paragraph writing by providing a graphic
organizer that encourages them to use facts to support their main point.
What You Need

Prep Time:
20-30 minutes
- Make copies of the Prove It worksheet and Four Square sheets
- Recreate Four Square graphic organizer on chart paper
- Gather pencils and coloring supplies

Task Time:
2, 40-minute sessions
- Class explores the value of using facts instead of opinions to prove a point
- Students distinguish between fact and opinion
- Teacher demonstrates Four Square method with student assistance
- Students fill out their own Four Square sheets and share them with the class

Materials Required:
Teacher:
- Chart paper
- Markers

Students:
- Copy of Prove It! worksheet
- Copy of Four Square worksheet
- Pencils and coloring supplies
What You Do

Teacher Role:
Facilitator:
- during class discussion about fact versus opinion
- when helping students fill out Four Square chart as a class

Direct instruction:
- when explaining Four Square method

Consultant:
- when students are completing individualFour Square sheets
 Student Grouping:
Whole class:
- while students explore the use of facts to support a point and teacher demonstrates Four
Square method

Individual, in pairs, or in small groups:

- during completion of Four Square exercise

Assessment Ideas:
- While students are completing their worksheets, make anecdotal observations about their
ability to distinguish between facts and opinions
Quick Tips

Activity Extensions:
- Have students write and revise paragraphs based on their Four Square organizer

- Students can create Four Square "mini books" and bind them with front and back covers

- Using the Four Square graphic organizer, students can organize facts from other subject
areas including science, physical education, and art

Additional Comments:
- The Four Square worksheets provided contain both sample topics and blanks for you to
choose from.

- This is a good activity to start to introduce a structure for persuasive writing or for
expository writing.

Other Adaptations/Modifications:
- Have a signal for fact and opinion to help students differentiate the two (for example,
opinion is touching your head, fact is holding hands out palms up to signify that you need to
be able to see the evidence)

- Allow students to choose what point they would like to prove or write their own