Paperfolding 101

Graphic Organizers using regular paper - Diane E Tatum

Although I already use foldables, a tool that helps kids make a kinesthetic learning tool with paper, its always good to find ways to use it more efficiently and effectively.

(We folded a paper into 8 boxes for our notes on this- hard to capture as well in text)

Theory

Why use folded paper-

• Schema-connect new learning to old learning
• Categorize information to make connections
• Student engagement using emotion and hypothalamus
• Graphic organization without making copies

Who

Middle school students because

• -curiosity
• -fun and active interaction
• -desire to know-what goes in the box?
• -Peer pressure to do activity

What

• -just need a sheet of paper, don’t need tons of materials to prep

when

• -beginning of unit
• -brainstorming activities- writing project
• -as a final project
• -to categorize information
• -to create homework sheets (math problem in one box, work in another, solution, etc

Where

• -notetaking
• -projects
• -homework assignments
• -journaling
• -vocabulary

Why

• -Graphic organizers with out copying
• -Keeps kids engaged
• -Organization! Middle school students struggle with organizing stuff and info
• -Linked learning- take what they know and connect to new information
• -Better retention of information

How

Folding

• break into two halves-
• Hamburger fold- line paper folded to square
• Hotdog fold- longwise

Uses:

Hamburger fold:

• Brainstorm 2-4 paragraph essay
• Booklet
• Compare/contrast

Mini hot dog

Creates 4 long thin lines

• -Short answer responses
• -Math problems
• -Outlining

Super mini hot dog

Creates 8 long thin lines

• -story map-title, characters setting, conflict, events 1,2,3, solution
• -scientific method

Hotdog

two columns

• -tests
• -vocabulary
• -comparing cultures/societies

Supersize hotdog

4 columns

• -can make into the pyramid- name tag, three-sided project
• -more comparisons than standard hotdog

Panel

• -notebook
• -storyboard
• -cartoon- comic strip to show idea/theme/concept
• -sequencing
• -flow chart
• -cause & effect

Trifold/double trifold

Fold into three columns. Fold in half again to make 6 columns

• -Pamphlet
• -KWL
• -Travel brochure
• -Sensory details

Pie Wedge Fold

Hamburger, hotdog, then grab the middle corner and fold to the side. This creates 8 wedges.

• -Web map
• -Notesheet- 8 parts of culture
• -Art project
• -fraction in the middle- each one out is an equivalent
• -word – synonyms
• -8 parts of speech

Snowflake project

• fold white paper into pie wedge
• write words about snow on each (like adjective project)
• create a poem and write on the piece of each flake for final product

Left over strip when squaring paper… book marks, voting, etc

lesson ideas:

2 boxes

• -two paragraph essay
• -cause and effect

4 boxes

• -great for vocab 4 squares
• -accordian mini-hotdog- can fold up to only see main term
• -collection of info

trifold

• -three column notes- word, definition, visual represent
• -paleozoic, mesoxoic, Cenozoic
• -venn diagram
• double tripfold
• -continents
• -6 key questions-
• - PEMDAS

8 boxes-

panel

• -words-antonyms
• -if-then
• -info – picture (planets)
• -observation chart – 8 days of data or 4 days with qualitative and quantitative