Adding Blocks to your Plan

Lesson Building Full Guide

How to Use Blocks

Use Blocks to add smaller content pieces inside an existing section, template, component, or resource, like tables, organizers, charts, forms, image areas, or extra text spaces. Blocks are best for adding to something that already exists, not creating a full worksheet from scratch.

4 min read 6 sections Updated for the current editor

What are Blocks?

Blocks are smaller content pieces you can add inside an existing lesson page, component, resource, or template.

They are useful when you want to add something extra without replacing the whole structure. For example, you might add a Venn diagram to a reflection worksheet, add a multiple-choice area to a quiz, or add a table to a student activity.

Block type	Examples	Best for
Text	Headings, directions, notes, prompts.	Adding instructions or extra explanation.
Tables	Vocabulary tables, note-taking tables, custom tables.	Organizing information or student responses.
Charts	Bar charts, pictographs, ten frames, number lines.	Adding visual or math-based supports.
Organizers	Venn diagrams, T-charts, KWL charts, concept maps.	Helping students sort, compare, and plan ideas.
Forms	Multiple choice, true/false, checklists, rating scales.	Adding quick questions, checks, or reflection items.
Layouts	Larger page structures that need more space.	Adding bigger structures inside a full-width area.

Good to knowBlocks are not the same as Components. Components are full student-facing activities, assignments, assessments, handouts, quizzes, worksheets, reflections, or exit tickets. Blocks are smaller pieces that go inside something that already exists.

Add a section and select a slot first

Blocks need somewhere to go before CARL can insert them. In most cases, that means adding a section, choosing a layout, and selecting the slot where the block should appear.

Step	What to do
1	Click Add Section on the lesson canvas.
2	Choose a layout that fits the block you want to add.
3	Click the slot where the block should go.
4	Open Blocks in the left sidebar.
5	Choose the block you want to add.

Simple ruleAdd Section → choose layout → select slot → choose block.

If the Blocks panel looks lockedCARL is probably waiting for you to select a slot first. Click the exact slot where you want the block to go, then open Blocks again.

Add a Block

Once a slot is selected, you can choose a block from the Blocks panel. CARL will place the block into the selected area.

Click to enlarge

This workflow shows the key sequence: add a section, choose a layout, select the slot, then add a block.

Best practice

Choose the layout based on the block you want to add. A small text prompt may fit in a narrow column, but a large organizer, table, or layout-style block usually needs more space.

Use full width for Layout Blocks

Most Blocks can be added into regular section layouts, including half-width, third-width, or smaller slots. This includes many text, table, chart, form, and organizer Blocks.

Layout Blocks are different. Layout Blocks need a full-width section because they create larger page structures, such as image-friendly layouts, wide content areas, or bigger organized spaces.

If you want to add an image area to a lesson page, look in the Layouts section of Blocks. These Layout Blocks create the space for an image, while the Media panel is where you upload, search for, or generate the actual image.

Click to enlarge

This recording shows why Layout Blocks work best in full-width sections.

Block or layout type	Best placement
Regular Blocks	Text, tables, charts, organizers, forms, prompts, and smaller content pieces can usually fit into regular section slots.
Layout Blocks	Use a full-width section. Layout Blocks need more room because they create larger page structures.
Image layouts	Use Blocks → Layouts to create a space for an image, then use Media to add the image itself.

Good to knowIf a Layout Block feels cramped, delete it and try again in a full-width section. The layout choice matters more than most people expect.

Image layoutsIf you need a place for an image, start in Blocks → Layouts. If you need to upload, search for, or generate the image itself, use the Media panel.

What Blocks are not for

The CARL Blocks system is not intended to create full worksheets from scratch. Blocks are meant to supplement existing templates, components, resources, or lesson sections.

If there is a template you wish CARL had, you can request it through the support page.

If you want to...	Use
Add a full student-facing worksheet, handout, assignment, assessment, or activity	Component
Add teacher-facing lesson/unit enhancements or ELL supports	Teaching Resources
Add a smaller extra piece inside an existing page or template	Block
Build a completely new worksheet template that CARL does not have yet	Request a template through support.

Important distinctionBlocks can make a template more useful, but they are not a replacement for the component/template library.

Quick Reference

If you want to...	Do this
Add a new content area	Click Add Section.
Add a block	Add Section → choose layout → select slot → open Blocks.
Add a Venn diagram, chart, table, organizer, form, or image area	Use Blocks. For image spaces, look under Layouts.
Upload, search for, or generate the image itself	Use Media.
Upload, search for, or generate images for a lesson	Use Media.
Add a full worksheet, activity, assignment, assessment, or handout	Use Browse Components.
Add lesson/unit enhancements or ELL supports	Use Browse Teaching Resources.
Request a missing template	Use the support page.

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