For a writing project that helps students to organize information, make a layered flip book. Fold ordinary pieces of paper to different sizes and connect them with glue or staples to make tabbed pages. Place labels on each of the tabs to denote what information is contained on that page. Layered flip books look complicated, but they are simple to construct. Also, this unique format helps to engage students in the writing process.
Make the Layered Pages
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Things You'll Need
4 pieces of construction paper, 9-by-12-inch
Craft glue
Pencil
12-inch ruler
Step 1
Cut 1 inch off of the length of each piece of construction paper, making the dimensions 9-by-11-inch.
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Step 2
Lay the first piece of paper vertically on your work surface. Fold the top edge down 2 inches. Your paper is now folded into two sections. One is a 2-inch flap, and the back section is 9 inches long.
Step 3
Lay the second piece of paper vertically on your work surface. Fold the top edge down 3 inches. This piece of paper now has a 3-inch flap and an 8-inch back section.
Step 4
Turn the second piece of paper face down on your work surface, so the flap is facing the table. Run a thin line of glue along the fold on the back of the paper.
Step 5
Lift up the 2-inch flap on the first piece of paper, exposing the crease. Turn the second piece of paper so the side with the glue is facing down. Lay it in the crease on the first piece of paper.
Step 6
Lay the third piece of construction paper vertically on your work surface. Fold the top edge down 4 inches, creating a 4-inch flap and a 7-inch back section.
Step 7
Apply a thin line of glue to the back of the third piece of paper at the crease. Lift up the 3-inch flap from the second piece of paper, exposing the crease. Lay the third piece of paper in the crease on the second piece of paper.
Step 8
Lay the fourth piece of construction paper vertically on your work surface. Fold the top edge down 5 inches, creating a 5-inch flap and a 6-inch back section.
Step 9
Apply a thin line of glue to the back of the fourth piece of paper at the crease. Lift the 4-inch flap from the third piece of paper, and insert the fourth piece of paper into the book. You now have an 8-page layered flip book. The shortest layer at the top is 2 inches, and each layer after that has a 1-inch tab exposed.
Tip
If you don't want to glue the pages together, you can simply assemble the pages and staple through all of the folds at the top.
Writing in Your Layered Flip Book
This type of book lends itself to organizing information within a topic. Think of a topic and break it down into sub-sections. Write the title of each sub-section on the exposed tab of the page, and write the information related to it above.
- Organize ideas about phonics and grammar in a flip book. Make a short-vowel or long-vowel sound book, or make a book about contractions. Create a flip book that explains expository text structures or the different kinds of nouns.
- Organize math concepts. Create a flip book about fractions, or one about the properties of addition and multiplication.
- Science and social studies concepts are easily organized in a flip book. Write about different animal habitats, states of matter, phases of the moon, or the life cycle of different living organisms.