Tips on Foldables
by Denise White
 The size of your paper will determine the size of your folded book.
Bigger paper is good for younger students.
 When demonstrating a foldable for the class, it is easier for students
to follow along if you use different colors of paper. They can easily
see what is done with each piece of paper.
 Teach students folding vocabulary.
Portrait
Horizontal Fold (Hamburger)
Landscape
Vertical Fold (Hot Dog)
Mountain Peak Fold
Valley Fold
Ridge
Holler
(When folding in quarters,
this fold sticks out.)
(When folding in quarters,
this fold sinks in.)
 When working with students, a good way to tell if they are with you is
to have them rest the foldable on their hand with their thumb up. This
will give you a quick visual check that they are ready to move on.
 Always put the glue on the pages of a book when putting them
together. If you put glue on the cover, you might glue the pop-ups
closed.
 Be patient! Students will cut the wrong way or use too much glue.
Just have them start over. A student’s success is worth much more
than a few pieces of paper.
 Use foldables often. They are a good, hands-on instructional strategy
and much more valuable than worksheets! Remember, “School
should not be a place where young people come to watch old people
work.”
 If you have questions, email me at awhite@access.k12.wv.us.