4x40

Type of Literacy:

Reading Comprehension (during reading, post-reading), Writing (informal writing),

& Speaking (discussion)

Reading Level:

Works for all reading levels. Based on how the 4x40 is used in the class, students at lower reading levels will be able to have think-pair-share time to talk with others to discuss understanding and learn main points of readings that they thought of. For EL students or students at lower reading levels, teacher could also assign them the 4 words while students would then only need to focus on learning those terms instead of trying to deciding on 4 terms to write about.

Prep Time:

2-5 min. depending on if you use template or have students take notes on blank paper.

4x40 in Use -

• While students read assigned text, have them choose 4 terms or ideas that they want to describe or found most interesting/important to them.
• Students will be instructed that as they read and find the 4 words, they should write 40 words describing each term (40 words for each term).
• The next day/once all students have completed writing, students will pair with another students and have 30 seconds to 1 minute each to share with their partner what 2 of their terms were, what they were, and why the student thought they were important/why they wrote about it. Students will both share and then rotate partners 1-3 more times.
• Now students should have learned their own terms as they have taught it to multiple others. They will also have leaned other terms learned from what their classmates have taught them.