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---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 a 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.