What are foldables?
Foldables are a popular tool for interactive learning in middle school science classrooms. A foldable is a three-dimensional graphic organizer that allows students to organize information in a fun and engaging way. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of foldables in middle school science and how they can improve student learning. By using different types of foldables, teachers can engage students in interactive learning that is both fun and effective. Whether you’re summarizing information, comparing and contrasting ideas, or organizing small pieces of information, there’s a foldable that can help you do it.
There are many different types of foldables that can be used to organize information in a fun and engaging way. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of foldables and how they can be used in the classroom.
Tri-Fold Foldable
The tri-fold foldable or brochure is one of the most common types of foldables. It consists of a single piece of paper that is folded in thirds, with each section used to organize information. This type of foldable is great for summarizing information or providing an overview of a topic.
Tab Foldable
A tab foldable consists of a single sheet of paper that is folded. One side of the fold is cut into tabs to create flaps – 3 or 4 is common, but certainly you could use many more. Terms are written on one side of each flap and the definitions of each are written underneath. This type of foldable works well as a study guide for vocabulary and is also great for gluing in to an interactive notebook.
Layered Book Foldable
A layered book or flipbook foldable is a more complex type of foldable that consists of multiple layers of paper that are stacked, folded and glued together. This type of foldable is great for organizing information that has multiple levels or categories. A good place to start is two sheets of paper (4 pages folded).
Foldables in Middle School Science
Foldables provide students with a hands-on approach to organizing information, enabling them to interact with subject matter actively. As students fold, cut, and manipulate paper, they become active participants in their learning journey, reinforcing retention and promoting deeper comprehension. Foldables are great for middle school science for many reasons.
- Encourages active learning
Foldables encourage active learning, which means that students are actively engaged in the learning process instead of passively listening to a lecture. By creating their own foldables, students are more likely to remember the information because they are interacting with it in a hands-on way. Additionally, students can take ownership of their learning by creating a foldable that reflects their own understanding of the material.
- Promotes visual learning
Foldables are a great way to promote visual learning. Many students are visual learners, which means they learn best through visual aids such as diagrams, pictures, and charts. Foldables allow students to organize information in a visual way that is easy to understand and remember. By including images and graphics, students can create a visual representation of the material that can help them better understand the concepts.
- Enhances note-taking skills
Foldables can help students develop better note-taking skills. By organizing information into different categories, students can easily identify the most important information and create a clear and concise representation of the material. This can be especially beneficial for students who struggle with traditional note-taking methods or have difficulty organizing their thoughts.
- Provides a study aid
Foldables can also serve as a study aid for students. By creating a foldable, students have a concise and organized representation of the material that can be used for review. Foldables can be used to summarize important concepts, provide examples, and show relationships between different ideas. By using their own foldables for review, students can be confident in their understanding of the material.
Here are some foldables I use in my middle school science class:
In conclusion, foldables are a great tool for middle school science students. They encourage active learning, promote visual learning, enhance note-taking skills, and provide a study aid. Consider trying out foldables as a way to enhance your students’ learning experience.