The 4C’s

Why use it?

• To make connections after reading a text
• To organize learning after reading a text
• To encourage critical thinking about ideas raised in a text
• To provide structure in group discussions

Tips for success

• Encourage students to record their own thoughts on The 4C’s Recording Sheet reproducible before sharing with their group. This helps students clarify their thinking before sharing. 
• Discuss examples of responses to each type of prompt before using this strategy for the first time. 

How do I use it?

• After reading a text, students sit in pairs or small groups. 
• Give each student a copy of the 4C’s Recording Sheet Reproducible.
• Students record their own answers to the following prompts. 
  • Connections: What does this text remind you of in your own life or other parts of your learning?
  • Challenge: What ideas or assumptions do you want to challenge in the text?
  • Concepts: What important ideas do you need to hold on to from this text?
  • Changes: How does this text change your thinking or actions you may be considering?
• Students discuss each prompt with their small group. 
• After they’ve finished, students share key points back with the whole class. 

Variations

• Students could record their answers to the prompts on sticky notes and place them on a sheet of chart paper. In a virtual setting, students could use a virtual board such as Jamboard. 
• The questions for each of the C’s can be adjusted based on your specific content or area of focus. 
• Differentiation suggestion: provide sentence stem options for each prompt to students who need additional support. 
• Encourage students to identify places in the text that support their answers to each of these prompts.