Use of Foldables in Interactive Science Notebook

I am a high school science teacher who teaches Physical Science and Chemistry. The school that I teach at can be described as being in rural setting with low social-economic demographics. Notebook foldables will be created by my students to aid their learning of scientific concepts. While at an regional conference, I attended a workshop about Dinah Zike's Foldables. I really want to use these paper manipulatives along with other techniques to aid in my students' learning. I have asked my students to provide a 11" X 8 1/2", 200 sheets, college rule, 5 subject notebook for use in class. Some students said that they couldn't afford the cost of the notebook. However, when I explained that all of the other materials & equipment required was being provided by myself, most agreed that they could get the notebook since no other cost was involved.

So many of my students have extreme difficulty with organizational skills. They also intensely dislike taking notes. Not to mention that there are both exceptional children and students who use English as a second language who could benefit from these activities and resources. It is so difficult to have students to be successful in class and be considered "proficient" on the state-mandated end-of-course test when these things are obstacles to their ability to learn. I have just given my students a "learning style inventory" to survey how many of my students are visual, auditory, or haptic/kinestic learners. Nearly 75% of all of my students describe themselves as being "hands-on" learners. While I do conduct labs in my classes, I need to do more to get the students more actively engaged with the learning process. The colored paper, highlighters, pencils, scissors, tape, etc. will allow them to construct various manipulatives that will allow them to organize information in a variety of ways.

I am really excited about using the notebook foldables. After attending the workshop, I went to the exhibitor's booth and right away ordered two of her books. I spent the majority of my winter break reading those books and learning how to make each of the major types of foldables. What an great way to have children to organize information! The art of making a foldable requires the materials listed such as paper, color pencils, scissors, glue sticks, tape, highlighters, etc. The use of color is an effective way of aiding retention of concepts and the students create their own foldables for use as study aids. All three major learning styles are engaged with these paper manipulatives and combined with an interactive notebook, I really believe that my students can be more successful in class and use what they learn to aid them in future studies as well.

Your assistance will make it possible for my students to develop essential skills for success. Plus, empower them to realize how they can organize information to be able to see the "big picture" and recognize the connections that tie everything together. It is difficult to get many of our students to challenge themselves and take more of the advanced courses that could allow them to advance their knowledge and work toward achieving more education than just a high school diploma. I want to my students to become proficient at being self-learners to where they will be able to face many of life's challenges head-on with confidence. Motivating students to take responsibility for their own learning and teaching them organizational skills will allow them to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society.