What do tacos, hamburgers,hotdogs, shutters, flips and mountains all have in common?
FOLDABLES, THAT’S WHAT!
On Wednesday, January 27, 2010 June Angle and Pat Porter presented an informative, interactive workshop on Foldables. Foldables are paper comprehension aids used to teach or organize a wide range of concepts across the curriculum. N.T.I. participants learned how to create a variey of foldables from a rainbow selection of colored paper and cardstock. Participants discovered and shared numerous ideas for using the various Foldables in their classrooms. Ideas for math, language, reading, social studies, and science were demonstrated. June and Pat shared examples of student work and many of their personal ideas. Many of Dinah Zike’s books (creator of Foldables) were also on display for examination. Time flew as participants made several different Foldables. After calling it an evening, we couldn’t wait to try some new Foldable ideas with our students!
*Check out Dinah Zike’s books for even more tips on making Foldables and using them in the classroom!
* My students created a 6 tab book earlier this week to go along with the steps for ”How to Grow a Pumpkin” from Pumpkin Fiesta, the story in our reading book this week. They drew the picture on the front of the flap, then described the step under the corresponding flap.
*Students made and used matchbook folds to create number riddles which each student read aloud to the class. They loved it!
* I plan to have my students make and use a 3 tab books this week for place value to denote hundreds, tens, and ones.
FOLDABLES…THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!
*Share your ideas for using Foldables!
Last Thursday I had some of my 5th grade students do the vocabulary foldable. It put an interesting spin on the boring task of defining vocabulary words. They loved the colorful paper and being able to express themselves artistically.
My students do a vocabulary foldable every week. They seem to like it, especially since they don’t seem to understand at first how it works. They also like the bright colors and the ability to even be able to change the colors of their slips on a weekly basis. I love it for its durability, simplicity, the fact that it’s easier for students to hold onto and find when needed, and the minimal paper it takes to replace the old slips with new with every new week. It’s certainly the best way to do my vocabulary and I think the kids like it too.
My kids really enjoyed making them adn we are going to try again. I would like to make it a part of my centers every once in a while.
This week, we did the “blind” foldable that Candice shared with us last week. My kids loved it!! It was a unique and different way to learn our science vocab. We also used a narrow flip foldable for our 11’s multiplication. It is sooo much easier than index cards, they won’t lose them and it saves paper!! We love foldables!
A couple of weeks ago I subbed as an art teacher at Southside. I decided it would be the perfect chance to do foldables. I did the one Candice showed us with the 4th and 5th graders. They loved it. I did simpler ones with Kindergarten and first grades. Every class I had enjoyed them. It was mostly a fun day and I got to try out several kinds of foldables. In some classes we only had time to make some and in others we actually wrote things on them to use as a study/learning tool. Since I knew I may not get to go back anytime soon I asked to kids to make one for me if they wanted to or had time. I brought several examples home. I look forward to sharing them all with you.