3D Graphic Organizers for Math.

Research indicated that graphic organizers can increase learning through brainstorming, organizing and communicating ideas, finding patterns, connections and relationships, accessing prior knowledge, classify concepts, develop vocabulary, focus on main ideas, and improve collaboration.

Most graphic organizers you find on the internet are nothing more than flat papers with the organizer already on it, ready to be filled out, much like a worksheet.

Three dimensional graphic organizers are known as foldables among other names add a dimension to the equation.  Foldables is a term used to describe organizers which you fold, cut, and write on to create the final product. 

Foldables integrate reading and writing with math, encourages critical thinking, allows for creativity, encourages individual learning.  In fact, foldables have a physical element for students who love to make paper airplanes during class.  These items use lots paper.  Plain white paper, colored paper, graph paper, construction paper, even card stalk.  Add in scissors, glue sticks, and stapler and you are set to go.

Both the teacher and student can use it. The teacher shows students how to put it together while teaching the material and the student uses it time after time to reinforce learning. Foldables can be books with one part fold to four part folds, pop-ups, mobiles, standing cubes, tab books, accordion folds, folded charts, graphs, even a concept map book.

One of the big names in creating 3D Graphic Organizers is Dinah Zike who has published quite a few books on the topic and is one of the pioneers.  I've got one of her books dealing with math foldables.  I love it because she shows how to use various ones with different topics.  In addition, the class set of the textbook comes with instructions to create foldables for every chapter.  The directions are in the book, so students get a chance to work independently.

I use them with my students.  Each time I have them create one, I require they glue it into their notebook so they don't loose it and so the notebook becomes interact.  I find the foldables make it easier for students find the information because of its form.  Instead of being written on a page in  note form, the information is organized into something that is much easier to read and find.

If you aren't sure where to start, check out the internet for ideas on how to use them.  I strongly recommend their use because my students love making them.  Unfortunately due to everything that happened this past semester, I let it fall by the wayside but I have plans to implement them for often next semester.  

Let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear.