Each student will use a sheet of 8 ½ x 11 inch copy paper. Holding the paper (portrait), fold it in half. The fold it vertically, then again horizontally.
Open the sheet back up to the first fold, then cut from the top fold to the intersection. This forms a slit in the center of the paper when it is opened flat.
Open the sheet flat and fold it vertically. The sides of the slit will try to separate. Holding the paper with thumbs on each side of the slit, push together until thumbs meet. Mash the paper down, and fold it in half to form a 4-page book.
To make a book with more pages, place a staple in the spine of the book, then cut on each of the folds to open up the book and create an 8-page book.
Students can make this book quickly, and it can serve many functions. Students can write their own stories and illustrate them. They can us this as a “cheat” book, copying their notes into it and using it for taking a test. It can contain handy formulas that students might need to solve problems in class.
Denise White, 2007