After this professional development, teachers will be able to:
1. define the term foldable and give a rationale for using this instructional technique.
2. understand how to create a foldable.
3. brainstorm applications for using foldables in his/her classroom.
Introduction:
This week we will continue to build upon last week's professional development on alternative assessment. Last week we learned about a multitude of alternative assessment strategies. This week we will focus on a technique called FOLDABLES, an old-school technique useful to our current mandate to focus on differentiated instruction and alternative assessment.
What is a foldable, and why should you use it in your classroom?
Foldables are 3-D paper constructions that allow learners to record and process new words and concepts in a hands-on and kinesthetic way.
Among the many reasons to use foldables in your classroom:
- Learners retain more concepts due to the process of creation and manipulation.
- Learners enjoy working with new words and concepts.
- Teacher has a tangible product to show evidence of word work.
Teachers use foldables to enhance the study of words in their classroom. After learners have been introduced to a concept, the teacher facilitates the construction and application of this three-dimensional organizer. As with all strategies, the creation process must be modeled.
(The above section was compiled from http://wrhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/wordpop/WordPOP/Foldables.html).
What does a foldable look like?
Many, many foldables can be found here. The types and uses are limited only by a teacher's imagination. Templates for a dozen types of foldables can be found here.
MORE ABOUT FOLDABLES - STARRING OUR VERY OWN MS. AGNEW!
Here are a few image samples:
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This teacher in the video below makes a complex pop-up foldable with his students:
Amazon carries a wide range of education books about foldables - click here, here, or here, to see samples of available publications.
Your facilitator also has available a wide range of foldables for you to view. At the end of this PD, you will be guided through a demonstration of how to make a foldable.
Tasks: Please answer the following questions by posting your thoughts about foldables in the COMMENTS section at the bottom of this post.
1. What are your initial thoughts on the concept of foldables in the classroom?
2. Of the foldable samples that you saw on-line and in-person, which one looks the most useful to your content and why?
3. In your opinion, are foldables and technology compatible? Why or why not?
4. When you think about the content you have taught in the past month, how could your students have used a foldable to learn?
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EXIT SURVEY: Please click here to complete the exit survey for this PD. Thank you for your feedback!
1. I think that foldables are a nice way to add variety to assessments. I think that it is functional and appears easy to do.
ReplyDelete2. I think that it would have been helpful had I utilized this strategy during my cell unit.
3. I think that it could be used in conjunction with the creation of spreadsheets to make charts and graphs to add to the foldables. Therefore, I do believe that the two are compatible.
4. I think that it could be useful as a study tool as well as a reference during an exam. Since it is student made, I would allow my students to use it during the exam!
1. I think foldables are a great idea, I can think of alot of ways that foldables could be easily used in a spanish classroom.
ReplyDelete2. I think the vocab foldables would make the most sense in my classroom because Spanish 1 is so vocab heavy, but some of the social studies foldables could also work well for a culture lesson.
3. Yes, I think that foldables and technology are compatible. For example, I could give my students an online research activity and have them make a foldable as an alternative assessment.
4. A foldable would have fit in really well with my colors lesson, and next year I will definitely use one.
1. Foldables appear to be really useful. I agree with the idea that students can learn through creation. Ideas stick better when you have endured a process to learn it.
ReplyDelete2. I feel as though any of them could easily be adapted to the English classroom. Many aspects of history and English are interchangable, thus, all foldables appear applicable to english class.
3. The most tangible thing that I can think of is creating foldables during professional development that teach educators about the new waves of technology and how to use them! Think future PD's!
4. I am trying to develop new strategies to teach vocabulary. I believe that foldables would be a great study tool to learn and understand new words. Also, I feel that when enduring a long novel, students could use foldables as a way to recall characters, plot, and key concepts as the story progresses.
Foldables are a great way for students to visually organize their information, I also think it is better than flashcards since topics are all held together instead of a stack of cards that some go missing. They are also very flexible with different number of sections and the stacked foldables can hold entire units of information. They are very good for sections in Biology where that are tons of vocabulary to keep together.
ReplyDeleteAs you might well surmise from my being an art teacher, I greet any visual and/or hands on aid with alacrity. Therefore, my initial reaction to the concept of foldables is a positive one.
ReplyDeleteMs. Agnew's vocabulary paradigm piqued my interest. When working with Art History, I will consider using a simulacrum of the aforementioned.
Are technology and foldables compatible? Hmm. I believe this would depend upon what it was the instructor was attempting to convey to his/her students.
As stated above, I would consider using a foldable for vocabulary attached to a specific period in Art History.
1. I think this is a great idea. My only concern is whether some students would consider this "too young" for them. The thing is, this kind of study tool is very useful, even for college students.
ReplyDelete2. Each of them has merit. The foldables for vocabulary and the one where students can compare two different topics seem particularly useful.
3. Compatible? Sure. What's more important is the fact that they can be very helpful for those of us who learn kinesthetically and visually. In particular, most of the ways that we use computers leave out the need that kinesthetic learners have to move as part of learning. (You can't mark through an item online or build the spacial associations that occur when you construct something with your hands.)
4. They could have used them for learning vocabulary. The students also could have used them learn to identify and compare different groups.
I think its a good idea specially for the visual and kinesthetic learners. They could keep track of the formulas and shapes of objects - math foldable. Also gives a sense of accountability and responsibilty to the students
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ms. Agnew that the Foldable is one of very useful interactive learning tools . This activity can be incorporated into the English classroom as History and Literature and interrelated.
ReplyDelete1. Foldables in the classroom seem like an excellent assessment strategy which is interactive and engaging.
ReplyDelete2. The large foldable poster board would fit the content of my lesson best. The students could work in groups to create the foldable and present it in class.
3. Technology and foldables seem to be compatible. As students complete their foldable assignments they can use technology to create graphs and pictures.
4. The students could have used foldables to create an project on the effects of drugs on the body.
1.It's an easy hands on idea because students do not have to go through their notes to find info.We all know some of them come to class without any books of sort so there.
ReplyDelete2.I cannot rule out any type because they each have their benefits .However,the vocabulary and comparison foldables will be useful since World language cannot be learned without vocabulary.
3.This method is useful to me because I can have a quick glimpse of students work and progress.
4. I could have definitely use foldables for several topics but in particular for foods and the family.If I teach Spanish in the futureI will most definitely use foldables.
1. Initially, foldables seem like a great idea. Ms. Agnew shared this idea with me before, and after borrowing her book I used foldables the next week. This is a great way to implement art (which most students LOVE!) with relevant content.
ReplyDelete2. I used the matchbook foldable and had students label the type of equation we were working on, put the step on the outside of each flap and underneath follow the steps with an example. This made each step very concrete and helped the students fully understand each step separately but also how they fit together to complete the equation.
3. Foldables are technology compatible. I could see a class researching a topic and presenting the information using a foldable.
4. We just completed Factoring and FOIL in Algebra 1, we could have done the same activity we did with equations to help students memorize the steps to factor and foil and have a concrete example.
I think that foldable is a very useful tool that enables students to organize the content information in a logical order.
ReplyDeleteI thought that foldables that include concept maps and/or are used as study guides would be the most useful in the areas of physical science and physics.
In my opinion foldables and technology are definitely compatible, as the concept can be easily applied to an interactive project that is built upon a similar idea.
Foldables would be a great way to organize the main concepts and vocabulary of the electricity chapter for physical science.
I feel that by creating foldables it brings out the students creativity. It can also be used as a means to study. I have explained to the students the method of using flashcards. This is similiar to that.
ReplyDelete1. Initially, I liked the ideas of foldables because they are creative and interactive for students. It offers them different options for study and assessment.
ReplyDelete2. I think many of the foldables can be useful and adapted in my content area of social studies because it covers so many different topics. I especially like the layered foldables, vocabulary foldables and chart/table foldables.
3. I think foldables and technology are compatible. For instance, I required students to complete research on the computer in order to complete the required information on the foldable.
4. My students could have used the foldables to make study guides for vocabulary and different concepts.
I think it is a very useful form of varied instruction and can be used in assessing student learning. I might have been able to use this when teaching polynomials,variables etc.I am not quite sure of how to mix it with technology.Perhaps the next PD.
ReplyDeleteWe had some problems with the sound, but when we got through that, we were engaged. I love the idea of foldables and look forward to using it in my classroom. For the teachers that are not up to par on computers, this will make a great PD for them. Ms. Agnew should do this presentation again. Ms. Carlis
ReplyDelete1. What are your initial thoughts on the concept of foldables in the classroom?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a fun and exciting concept.
2. Of the foldable samples that you saw on-line and in-person, which one looks the most useful to your content and why?
The foldable that has the vocab words with the definition inside. That would work great with my music vocab words.
3. In your opinion, are foldables and technology compatible? Why or why not?
I think they are compatible if you have the correct software.
4. When you think about the content you have taught in the past month, how could your students have used a foldable to learn?
They would have learned about music in the 70's and terms/ words use in music during that time.
I think Foldables are a great idea, an excellent assessment strategy which is interactive and engaging.I am going to start thinking of ways to incorporate this teaching tool into my lessons.
ReplyDeleteI really like the vocabulary foldable, I think its a great way to help students remember the words. And I would probably have them draw something to also help them remember the words.
I do think that foldables are compatible with technology, It would be a good tool for when students are researching various subjects.
1. Foldables is a different idea, I can think of alot of ways that foldables could be easily used
ReplyDelete2. The students could work in groups to create the foldable and present it in class
3. Students can make spreadsheets or us excel
4.I think that it could be useful as a study tool also it could be used as an exam assessment
1. The foldables are a great idea to get students to use their creativity. Ms.Agnew shared the book with me earlier this year, and I hope to incorporate them into my English classes before the end of the year.
ReplyDelete2. I think the foldable that had the definitions would be most useful to my content area.
3. Yes I believe they are. This would be a great opportunity to get students to research topics online as well as using computers to type the content on their foldables.
4. I think that the foldables would have been great when my students worked on debating skills so that they could have better separated their ideas.
1. My initial thoughts on the concepts of foldables in the classroom is that it will be a great hands on learning tool.
ReplyDelete2. The foldable I'm familiar with was the one presented on-line. The vocabulary foldable that would best fit my subject. Students could use foldables with formulas used in Algebra.
3 Foldables are compatible with techology. Students can research the information on the computer to create the foldable.
4. I would have the students list formulas and give an example of each formula or have students list formulas they have difficulty with and give an example of each.
This is a great idea. As I watched the video I thought how this could enhance my teaching of Medical Terminology and Anatomy. These are two areas where my students struggle the most and I contemplate an easier way to teach it. I am anxious to implement this in my class.
ReplyDelete1.I think foldables are a different and interesting way to teach in the classroom.
ReplyDelete2 I feel that the students can be very creative in developing thier own unique and different foldables.
3.I think foldables and technology are extremely campatable, because you could probably create a computer game the incorporates this idea.
INTERESTING IDEA,LOOKS LIKE FUN FOR ALL
ReplyDeleteEsperanza Agnew is a wonderful new teacher. I have used the foldables method in my class.
ReplyDeleteStory boards can be an application of this since they can also be folded. Students can be given or they can create their own frames and then they can write their own captions to the story. I do this for paraphrasing as well.
1. I think that I can try foldables with vocabulary in geomeetry and algebra.
ReplyDelete2.Use foldables with the geometric formulas and geometric shapes as well as an example for each shape.
I will use Foldables in my class to help student learn and have the abilty to easily access formula and facts. They are best applied with kinesthetic learners. Foldables will also help promote math literacy
ReplyDeleteFordable are compatible with technology using the the 3-D software. Training is necessary for one to be effective in classwith 3-D software.
It's very interesting and can be used in my health education classes. It is a wonderful study guide for my students. It can be in a shape of a particular sport(basketball, volleyball etc.) for rules, origin and history of the sport. It can also be used with the credit recovery academy-to help students to develop study skills .
ReplyDelete1. What are your initial thoughts on the concept of foldables in the classroom?
ReplyDeleteMy first thoughts on the concept of foldables are that it is remedial for high school as well as low tech
2. Of the foldable samples that you saw on-line and in-person, which one looks the most useful to your content and why?
Layered Book looks the most useful in a tech class because the students can create study guide for the different functions they learn.
3. In your opinion, are foldables and technology compatible? Why or why not?
Yes, because desktop publication application can make the foldables look like a professional project.
4. When you think about the content you have taught in the past month, how could your students have used a foldable to learn?
For me, foldables are a great study guide resource. Not only do the students create the foldable but they have a tangible project to study what they need to know.
1. I think foldables are an interesting way to motivate students with study concepts and acquiring new skills.
ReplyDelete2. A few of the foldables I've seen can be used for vocabulary development and well as story concepts and parts..... They can be utilized in a variety of ways in the English classroom.
3. Foldables and technology can be compatible depending on the teacher, program, and assessment of students with basic to higher learning.
4. The students could have used a foldable to concentrate on story parts, or parts of a research paper, as well as study guides or constructing advertisements with the correct inclusions.
The foldables pd was helpful but I was lucky enough to be present at a lecture of Ms Dykes. She showed so many different ways that foldables could be used.Foldables are used in my classroom for study guides mostly but I am looking to implement them as more of an assessment tool. They have been useful in my classes as they involve moving, and cutting and creativity. This practice or intervention has been useful in helping to engage the students.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed using these in my class. My students got a lot from the visual aspect and hands on learning. I used it for constructed responses for the PSSA and it gave the students an "AHA" momnent"
ReplyDelete1. I like anything that has anything that has to do with hands on. Students can learn and organize information in biology as well as math and social science.
ReplyDelete2. I look forward to students organized and applying information with the use of technology with the folding technique. It will help students to learn skills they need later on as Seniors (senior project).
I have used foldables in the past, not knowing what they were called. I have used them for math formulas, story elements and vocabulary. Since I teach Special Education, I am always looking for hands-on and creative ways to implement and assess a lesson. Foldables are good to use as a study guide, keeping the students interest and providing a meaningful learning experience.
ReplyDelete