Kelsea RathbunLiteracy Strategies ChatCI 317

*Foldables

“When students are provided with tools to learn, they process information at

increasingly complex levels […]. Graphic organizers are a powerful learning tool,

and Foldables are an innovation that ensures that this tool is personally

owned by the learner, is manipulative, and is interactive”

(Fisher, Zike, 2007).

*Foldables

*What is a Foldable?• Student made,

interactive organizer• Can organize virtually

anything: vocabulary, formulas, main ideas, concepts, characters

• Extremely versatile- can be used in any content area or grade

• Easy to make with minimal supplies needed

*Foldables in the Math Classroom

• Gives students who struggle with technical math textbooks easy access to important information

• Creates quick reference guide which can be used throughout the unit

• Handy study tool• Perfect to teach key vocabulary words

*Vocabulary Foldables for Math

1. To introduce vocabulary• Students fill-in Foldable prior to lesson/unit

2. During a lesson to guide learning• Students fill-in Foldable during lesson/unit

3. To reinforce ideas• Students fill in Foldable after lesson/unit

4. As a group activity• Each group is given a different set of words and invited

to present their Foldable to the class5. To check for understanding

• Students fill out Foldable independently at the end of a lesson or unit

*Making a Vocabulary Foldable

Materials:• 8.5” x 11” paper

(loose leaf, plain, colored, construction)• markers/crayons/colored pencils• scissors

1. Fold paper in half, 3 times• “hotdog”, “taco”, “hotdog”

2. Unfold to reveal 8 sections3. Fold again, like a hotdog4. Cut along the 3 visible folds, creating 4 flaps

*Making a Vocabulary Foldable

FRONT INSIDE

Vocab Word #2

Vocab Word #3

Vocab Word #4

Vocab Word #1 definition

definition

definition

definition

visual/formula/example

visual/formula/example

visual/formula/example

visual/formula/example

*Making a Vocabulary Foldable

*Strengths & Weaknesses

• Easy to make, with very simple materials.

• Can be used with virtually any grade level, in any subject, and for any number of purposes.

• Teachers can make them as hands-on as they would like, either providing all information, some, or encouraging students to complete the entire organizer independently.

• Can be used as study

guide• Construction may take

up class time• Students may easy

misplace their Foldable, as opposed to keeping it as a reference throughout the year.

*Foldables“To advance their literacy skills, adolescents

need instructional experiences that are motivating and foster comprehension by transforming concepts and ideas in their

minds and on paper. Teaching students to manipulate information, record, and

transform that information using Foldables costs nothing other than some paper,

scissors, and maybe a bit of glue” (Fisher, Zike, 2007).

*ResourcesFisher, D., & Zike, D. (2007). "Foldables: Improving Learning with 3-D Interactive Graphic Organizers". Classroom Notes Plus, 25(1), 1 - 12.Zike, D., & Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. (2003). Dinah Zike's

Teaching mathematics with foldables. New York, N.Y: Glencoe McGraw-Hill.