Folding in Social Studies

25 March 2012
OK - it's not a Math Journal Sunday ... but I've got a FANTASTIC foldable to share with you today.  I saw this idea on A Teacher's Treasure a few weeks ago, and as soon as I saw it, I knew I HAD to do it with my class.  This is called the Secret Door Foldable.  You've got to head over to Mor's blog to see it - she even has a great video to show you step-by-step how to complete the template.  The minute I finished watching her video, I ran to get two pieces of paper to try it out for myself ... and then I had to get a few more pieces to make some for my girls.  Be sure to have some paper nearby ... I know you're going to want to try it, too.


We used the Secret Door Foldable for our culminating Social Studies project.  Our last unit was First Nations People and European Explorers.  I had students go through their notes and assignments, and choose the most important information (integrated the reading strategy of determining important ideas) to summarize on their foldable.  They also needed to organize their writing into paragraphs with subtitles.  Social studies mark - check, reading mark - check, writing mark - check!  PERFECT!!!







They drew a title page for the cover of the assignment.















They summarized their information on First Nations People on the inside foldable.  They also had to draw a picture or colour the background for visual appeal.  LOVE how this students added text features to his summary of information!











They then summarized their information for European Explorers inside the Secret Door.  They students LOVED this assignment, and it was so evident from the quality of their work.  Impressive!!!  A few of my students told me they had to make these foldable templates for their little brothers and sisters at home.  Too cute!


While you're visiting A Teacher's Treasure to see how to make these foldable templates (and I know you're going to), be sure to check out Mor's giveaway for tickets to the Everything's Intermediate Expo.  This expo is geared specifically to intermediate teachers and will focus on interactive notebooks (more foldables!!!), integrating technology, making math more meaningful, and more.  Check out the details HERE.



And, while I have your attention ... Krystal, from Lessons in the Middle, is having a Spectacular Spring Giveaway at her blog.  There are over $250.00 worth of prizes and materials in the giveaway (including my Fictional Narrative Writing Workshop Unit).  It gets even better - Krystal has a grab bag of products she'll send you just for entering her giveaway!!!  Check it out and find some time-saving materials by clicking on the button to the right.

30 comments

  1. I am absolutely loving your blog :) I teach grade 3 in Australia, and even though we're so far away, your teaching style and content resonates so closely with mine. Thanks for sharing your wonderful resources!
    I'm going to use this foldable to culminate my unit on 'Australia, You're Standing in it', as this is our last week of term - brilliant timing!
    Once again, thanks so much….I'd love a copy of your latest cootie catchers!
    k.ford@claremont.nsw.edu.au

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you so much, Kylie! LOVE the title of your Australia unit - glad you found an idea to use in your classroom. I sent copies of my cootie catchers to the first three comments on my last post (part of my silly little rules) ... but keep following - I give away freebies every time I make a new product.
      Jen

      Delete
    2. I each grade 5 too and i think this is a useless and horrible project!! it doesnt work at all and the students learn nothing!!! You don't deserve to call yourself a teacher!!

      Delete
  2. I love this Jen! Foldables are fantastic, and I love teaching social studies....so this is the perfect marriage! Thank you for sharing :)

    ~Stephanie
    Teaching in Room 6

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Steph! LOVE your last post on foldables, too!

      Delete
  3. Jen they came out SOOOOOOO good!!! I love them!!! Thanks for the shout out :)
    What a great end of the unit culminating project!! Way to go on the integrating Reading & SS!
    How did your kids like making them? Mine's reaction was "that is soooo cool" :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. p.s. I added a link to this post to my FoldiFun Factory page :)

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Mor! They kids LOVED them. They were literally WOWED. They couldn't wait to show them to EVERYBODY in the school ... okay, I admit ... I was showing them off, too!

      Delete
  4. Love the foldable! I am your newest follower. Come by and visit when you get a chance. =)
    ~Jada
    Daisy Days for Learning

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jada! Welcome! Heading over to your blog now ...

      Delete
  5. I found Mor and that foldable last weekend and used it this week with my class. I had them write book reviews and then illustrate scenes from the books on the secret fold. It was great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wasn't this the coolest idea! LOVED it! And I love your idea for book reviews ... gotta remember that one for next year!

      Delete
  6. OMGolly, Jen!
    These are incredible!
    So impressive--and such a fun way to learn!
    Wishing you a good week ahead!

    PS Your comment on my last post cracked me up! (I hope you got it all done... And hang on to that tiara...)

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you so much, Kim!!! One more full week until two (TWO) four-day weeks ... YAY!!! And believe me, I think I'm going to need my tiara more than once during the remainder of this year ... my class keeps forgetting I am truly a princess ... a little reminder here and there can't hurt. ;)

      Delete
  7. I am your newest follower..and I nominated your for an award....come and get it! Your blog is adorable!!!

    :) Michelle

    Apples and ABC's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you so much, Michelle! Welcome! I hope you find some ideas you can use in your classroom.

      Delete
  8. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea! I LOVE using foldables in my classroom. This is a new one I can definitely use!!

    Have a great week!

    Krista
    stellar-students

    ReplyDelete
  9. You should link this up to my bulletin board linky party! I <3 foldables!

    Miss B, Busy Bee

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, the Earth Day Freebie is great. I've found great ideas on your blog. I'm your newest follower for the blog and tpt. Please visit my blog if you get a chance. www.callingplaysin2ndgrade.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the Secret Door Foldable. My students have enjoyed it for years. It is fun to see the my foldable has made it onto so many websites. You can see the video for the Secret Door Foldable and others on my Youtube Channel @ http://www.youtube.com/user/ideasforteachersorg. As educators, we need to make certain that we set a positive example of citing where we get our ideas from. I am thrilled that you and The Teacher's Treasure have been able to use it successfully. Keep up the great work!!!!

    Dan Jones
    www.ideasforteachers.org

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank-you, Dan. My students really enjoyed this activity - they thought the hidden door was so fun. I thought I was citing where I got my idea from (I first saw it on A Teacher's Treasure). Upon doing a little extra research now, I see that you posted your youtube video and blog post in 2011 about the secret door foldable. However, I found PDF instructions credited to Sherah Carr back in 2006 (http://www.teachingwithpurpose.com/hidden%20panel%20foldable.pdf).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please know that I was not upset to see the Secret Door Foldable here, and I apologize if my comment prior came across that way. I have been using this foldable since 2006 when I used it to teach The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. When I created my website back in 2011, I decided to put my tutorials on line. From 2006 to 2011, I had forgot the name of the individual who had shown me how to create the foldable. Thanks so much for giving me a name to put with it. I think we all want to make certain we cite where we get our information from, and I am thrilled that you put a name with the original. I can honestly say that I did not know the individual's name that presented the idea. I will go back and give credit to Sherah Carr for her idea. Again, thanks so much for finding her name, and I look forward to following your site.

      Delete
  13. Jen,

    I am going to use this for my unit on European explorers with my 5th graders next year. Thanks for the idea AND the visuals! I am a visual person! :)

    I'm sure I got this post way back when since I'm a follower, but today I found it in google images! You're famous! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete