6 Ways to Use Science Fold-ups

Let’s mix it up!  What are some different ways you can incorporate fold-ups (foldable pages) into your science lessons?

1. Research
This is just what it sounds like!  Students use books and the internet to learn more about a particular topic and record the information in their fold-ups.  For example, students might do research to answer questions about the sun, Earth, and moon.

2. Note-taking
Students can use fold-ups for traditional note-taking from a trade book, reading passage, or textbook or from a teacher’s mini-lesson.  When using fold-ups for note-taking, I like to include Whole Brain Teaching and student discussion about what to write, as opposed to students passively copying notes.

3. Response
After a unit, lesson, lab, experiment, stations, or any other classroom activity, students can complete their Output in a fold-up.  For example, after students learn about states of matter, they draw pictures, write definitions, and list examples for each state in the fold-up.

4. Lab Notes
Are you doing a descriptive investigation to categorize materials? If your class is testing materials to see if they are electrical conductors or insulators, students can record results in their fold-ups.

5. Discuss & Write
Select a question or topic.  Talk in pairs, teams, and as a class, then allow students to individually complete a fold-up with words and images.

6. Combination
Often, we combine elements from more than one idea listed above to complete fold-ups.  The more opportunities students have to observe, discuss, and reflect on new information, the better!

Fold-ups are versatile tools that help students synthesize their learning.  I can’t imagine teaching without them.

Resources in photo are from the All in One Interactive Science Notebook.  See it on TpT.

SaveSave