Foldables-A Strategy for Learning at Forest Elementary School

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On Wednesday, November 5, 2008, FES will participate in a Foldables workshop. Participants will learn the basics of Foldable making and how they can assit students with learning material. Foldables are adaptable at any grade level and across all subject areas. FES faculty will leave with multiple ideas for immediate use with their students--all housed in one 11X17 Shutterfold book. Participants are sure to enjoy this Make-It, Take-It style workshop.

Participants who post a comment on the Foldable Blog describing what Foldable you used and how you used it with your students will receive 3 recertification points. The deadline for posting your Foldable comment is December 12.

Tuesday Folder Foldable

Monday, while I was filing Tuesday Folder papers to be sent home, I came across one sixth grade students' Tom Sawyer book report Foldable project. At first sight, this project looked like any other report, but when I opened it up, a pop-up book appeared. Actually, it had multiple pages that had been glued together. With each page, there were multiple pop-ups. Each page showed the infamous scenes from the novel along with the sixth graders review, interpretation, and summary of what they had read. I was very impressed with this eleven year olds' work. This project made me realize that Foldables allow students to individualize their work. Students may be learning the same material, but Foldables allow students to create unique projects that are different from other students in their class. I took my 'Big Book of United States History Foldables' completely apart, placed them in clear pocket sleeves, and put them in a binder for students to view and get ideas from. By doing this, students can choose the Foldable they would like to make without damaging my book.

BSPC Foldables Workshop

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Teachers and staff from BCPS will participate in a 3-hour Foldables workshop on October 14, 2008. This Make-It, Take-It style workshop will allow participants to make multiple Foldables of various styles. From folded books and shutter folds to four-door books, tab folds, and three-quarter books, teachers and staff will leave with an arsenal of Foldables and ideas for use with students at their own schools. Participants are sure to enjoy a fun afternoon of making their own Foldables.

In order to earn 7 recertification points, participants need to verify their use a Foldable. First, post a comment on the Foldables blog that includes how you used a Foldable with your students. Include: 1. What Foldable did you use with students? 2. What was the purpose of the Foldable? 3. How do you think the Foldable project assisted students in learning required material?

You have the option of earning an extra recertification point, for a total of 8 points, if you email me a photo sample of the Foldable you created. My email address is msprinkle@bedford.k12.va.us.

***Please note: If you are an administrator or other staff member and do not have direct contact with students, your comment will include: 1. How do you feel Foldables can assist students with learning required material? 2. Which Foldable did you like best? Why? You can also earn an extra recertification point by emailing me a photo sample of a Foldable that you, yourself, finished. Or, you can share an idea with a teacher at your school and send me a photo of a finished Foldable from their work with students.

Making Foldable projects with my students is one of my favorite parts of teaching. It is my hope that you enjoy the workshop and have fun sharing ideas and making Foldables with your students.

Have fun folding, and let me know if I can be of help in any way.

Melinda

VKVs-Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary

I recently came across this interesting video of Dinah Zike's, (the creator of Foldables), new series of Foldables, VKVs-Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary. They are, essentially, 3-D word study tools. VKVs would work well when used with ESL and elementary age learners.

Foldables-One School's Success

Forest Middle School, located in Bedford County, Virginia, has adopted the use of Foldables as one of several teaching strategies.  We have been using these 3D graphic organizers school-wide since August 2007.  We believe this strategy has greatly enhanced student learning.  Students create the Foldable, so they assume ownership of their work from the start.  Foldables also allow students to complete the same activity yet be creative and different from their peers. Establishing ownership of their work produces better student learners.  How do you think Foldables help your students?

Foldable Slideshow

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During the summer of 2007, I traveled to Comfort, Texas to Dinah Zike's Foldable Academy. While there, I experienced, first hand, the wonderful world of Foldables. Dinah Zike's creation of three-dimensional graphic organizers are amazing. I had been using Foldables in the classroom with middle school students since 2001, but meeting Dinah Zike and her team of Foldable experts opened my eyes to new ways of using Foldables with students. My three day emersion workshop sessions allowed me to work with other teachers from across the United States and Mexico. My enthusiasm for creating and using Foldables with my students increased tenfold. And that is where the idea for this blog came about. Many thanks to Dinah for opening your academy, sharing your expertise, and making my trip wonderful. Foldables are awesome, and I hope to use this blog to share them with other educators.