Strategy: Foldables. Connections to Goals for Science Education (BC Science IRP)

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3 Description Strategy: Foldables Foldables, three-dimensional graphic organizers, are an interesting and creative approach to categorizing and presenting important information (Zike, 2001). Foldables allow learners to record and process new words and concepts in a hands-on and kinesthetic way. They can be used to compare/contrast, show cause/effect and in vocabulary acquisition. Students fold and cut paper in a variety of formats and then arrange words and visuals onto the Foldable to communicate their learning. Foldables can be used as study and learning aids as well as for assessment of and for learning. The six formats presented here may be adapted by teachers and students in an endless variety of ways. Rationale for using Foldables in Science By using Foldables, students are better able to grasp concepts, summarize main ideas, and visually represent information. Student-created Foldables replace teacher-generated writing or photocopied sheets with student-generated print. The limited space provided by Foldables encourages students to communicate concisely using graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, models, and/or Venn diagrams along with written text. Kinesthetic representations of learning increase student motivation, concept understanding, and retention. Key Features/Functions Serving as concise study guides Allowing comparison of key concepts Developing and highlighting connections to prior knowledge Enhancing fine motor skills Emphasizing visual representations Allowing for creative expression of learning Facilitating Differentiated Instruction Enabling assessment of and for learning Connections to Goals for Science Education (BC Science IRP) Using Foldables in science addresses aspects of Goal 2 (Skills) and Goal 3 (Knowledge). Foldables help students to understand, integrate, interpret, and extend their knowledge. 51

4 Ideas for Implementation Foldable Formats: Vocabulary Book 1. Fold an 8.5 X 11 piece of lined paper vertically in half like a hotdog starting with the right side and fold to the red margin line. 2. On one side, cut every third line to the fold line. This will result in ten tabs that open to the left. 3. Students print the new vocabulary word on the outside of the tab and the definition underneath. Cut along dotted lines Mini Book See blackline master for step-by-step instructions. 52

5 Flip Book 1. Fold an 8.5 X 11 paper in half like a hotdog. 2. With the fold line at the top and opening on the bottom, fold into thirds. 3. Open the paper up, then cut the top layer along the fold lines so that the tab opens separately. 4. Students write or draw the concept on the outside of the tab and the description underneath. Variation: This Foldable may be adapted to have any number of tabs. Cut along dotted lines Layered Book 1. Layer three sheets of paper so that each sheet is three centimeters below the previous sheet. 2. Fold all sheets from the top so that each edge is the same distance (three centimeters) apart. 3. Glue or staple along the center fold. Variation: This Foldable may contain any number of papers folded together depending on the number of sections needed. Matchbook 1. Fold a piece of paper almost in half leaving a three centimeter strip exposed along the bottom. 2. Fold the strip up to make an overlapping tab similar to a matchbook. Variation: Matchbooks may be made in many sizes. Individual matchbooks may be glued on to a single piece of paper to accommodate many concepts. Cut along dotted line Double Matchbook 53

6 Four Door Book 1. Fold an 8.5 X 11 paper in half like a hamburger, then open. 2. Fold the top in half to the crease line. 3. Fold the bottom half in half to the middle crease line. 4. Then fold paper in half like a hotdog. 5. Open and cut along fold lines so that there are four separate doors on the inside of the book. Variation: Two Four Door Books can be glued together like a booklet. Index Tab Book 1. Cut an 8.5 X 11 paper into four equal sections. 2. Take one of the four pieces and fold it in half (hamburger) twice and then in half twice again. Open to create a grid with 16 equal sections. 3. Stack all four pieces of paper with the 16 section grid on top. 4. Cut out the top right hand section from the entire stack using the grid as a template. 5. Remove the back page and set aside. 6. With the remaining stack, cut off the next section in the row, left of the one you have just cut off (not the column). 7. Remove the bottom page and set aside. 8. With the remaining two pieces of paper, cut one more box to the left in the row of the box that was just cut off. 9. Discard the grid (top piece of 16 squares) and reassemble the stack. 10. Take a second piece of 8.5 X 11 paper and cut it into four equal sections. Use one for the back page. 54

7 Cross Curricular Connections: Language Arts characterization, plot profile, 5 Ws, setting Social Studies compare/contrast, vocabulary, note taking Math categorize geometric shapes, BEDMAS, explain formulas Interactive Whiteboard Connections: Model locating main ideas in a text passage. Use document camera to model Foldables. Assessment Rubrics enable student performance to be evaluated according to a range of criteria (analytic) or a statement that describes the characteristics of levels of work (holistic). A rubric can be used to guide students as they think about the important aspects of an assignment or task. The use of rubrics reinforces the idea that the main purpose of assessment is assessment for learning, as students can see areas that need improvement in subsequent assignments. Foldables can be assessed for content, presentation, and organization, and used for assessment of and for learning. Foldables Rubric from Teacherweb.com see Blackline Master 55

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9 Student Samples 57

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11 Vocabulary Book Grade 6 (Electricity) 59

12 Mini Book Grade 7 (Earth s Crust) Mini Book Grade 7 (Earth s Crust) 60

13 Tab Book Variation Grade 7 (Chemistry) 61

14 Layered Book Grade 6 (Diversity of Life) Layered Book Grade 7 (Chemistry) 62

15 Matchbook Variation Grade 6 (Extreme Environments) Matchbook Variation Grade 7 (Earth s Crust) 63

16 Matchbook Grade 8 (Cells) 64

17 Four Door Book Grade 7 (Chemistry) 65

18 Index Tab Grade 6 (Extreme Environments) 66

19 Index Tab Grade 8 (Water Systems on Earth) 67

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21 Articles Bittel, K., & Hernandez, D. (2006). Kinesthetic writing of sorts. Science Scope, 29(7),

22 Blackline Masters 70

23 Foldables Rubric from Teacherweb.com CATEGORY Required Elements Labels Graphics - Relevance Attractiveness Grammar Sources Comments: The foldable includes all required elements as well as additional information. All items of importance on the foldable are clearly labeled. All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. The foldable is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. There are no grammatical and/or mechanical mistakes on the foldable. All borrowed graphics and/or content information have source citation. All required elements are included on the foldable. Almost all items of importance on the foldable are clearly labeled. All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. The foldable is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. There are 1-2 grammatical and/or mechanical mistakes on the foldable. Some borrowed graphics and/or content information have source citation. All but 1 of the Several required required elements elements were is included on the missing. foldable. Many items of importance on the foldable are clearly labeled. All graphics relate to the topic. The foldable is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. There are 3-4 grammatical and/or mechanical mistakes on the foldable. One or two borrowed graphics and/or content information have source citation. Labels are too small, messy OR no important items were labeled. Graphics do not relate to the topic. The foldable is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. There are more than 4 grammatical and/or mechanical mistakes on the foldable. Borrowed graphics and/or content information do not have source citation. 71

24 72 Retrieved October 27, 2008, from

25 Mini Book Foldable Template (D. McNee, 2008) Enlarge to fit 8 ½ X 11 or 11 X 17 paper, or print from document on attached CD. 73

26 References (Foldables ) Utah Education Network. (2004). How to make a mini book. Retrieved from Zike, D. (2001). Dinah Zike s big book of science for middle school and high school. San Antonio, TX: Dinah-Might Adventures. Johnson, S., & Robillard, C. (2008). Increasing the skill of reading for information through the development of science literacy: A toolkit for science middle school teachers. Unpublished masters project, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. 74