Next up on my learning experiences will be to attach a glue to a piece of oak that might be a platter. I remember in high school shop (this was  60 years ago) we put a piece of newspaper (maybe a doubled up piece) between the block and the work piece which allowed the block to be easily split off later. Did I remember that correctly, or is there a better way these days?

I'd like to help but I've never used a glue block.  I think in the back of my mind I am afraid to.

Instead of a newspaper, I use brown grocery bag paper. 

 

Another option is to use hot melt glue. You need a glue gun that gets really hot- not one of those crafters use for flowers and such. This is from Carl Jacobson and starts at the glue gun information

 

I think Lyle Jameson may be one of the best with glue blocks as he uses them all the time. using his method you can use a block may times. This is one of many videos he has done on the subject. You might also want to look at Mike Peaces take on the subject.