Introduction: Magic Paper Pocket Study Tool

I teach my students how to make a 4-sided magic piece of paper to use as a "pocket study tool" to help them prepare for tests. Brain research (and experience) teaches that the mind is much more able to learn, process, store, and recall information which is (1) chunked into digestible bits, (2) rehearsed at frequent, short intervals, and (3) entertaining to the "inner kindergartener." This foldable study guide does all that! Carried in the pocket, this tool helps students make the most of those random bits of otherwise-wasted time during the day (standing in the lunch line, riding the bus, eating breakfast, brushing teeth...). Just whip out the Pocket Study Tool 5 - 10 times a day, and you are done studying before you even get home! Now you can go have fun!

This is my first instructable - hope I can do it right! (-:

Step 1: Materials

All you need to make a magic pocket study guide is a sheet of paper, a pair of scissors, a writing utensil, and a piece of tape. I encourage students to use colored paper. You can remember better if it's in color!

Step 2: Folding Step 1

Fold the paper in half "like a hamburger" as we say in education!

Step 3: Folding Step 2

Now you fold it again, parallel to the first fold, but we call it "like a hot dog" this time.

Step 4: Folding Next Step

now open it up and fold in thirds "like a burrito."

Step 5: Now Cut!

You have 12 squares now. Cut out the center 2, like a door.

Step 6: Now Fold It Up.

Orient your paper so the door is hinged on the left. Fold the door over all the way to the left.

Step 7: Wrap the Door Around.

Now fold what's left of the door UNDER the frame.

Step 8: Fold the Frame.

Now take the right-hand side of the frame and fold it towards the left.

Step 9: Flip Frame Once More.

Fold the frame again, towards the left.

Step 10: Flip and Tape.

Now turn the whole thing over and use one piece of tape across the center seam.

Step 11: Ready to Use!

Now see if you can find the four sides to this sheet of paper! Then categorize what you will need to remember into 4 groups, and devote one page to each group. Fold the whole thing down to the size of one square, stick it in your pocket, and you are ready to go!

Step 12: Detail of the Flip.

This picture shows a little better the way to reveal the hidden surfaces. You fold the thing like a mountain, then sort of separate the crack and pull the two halves apart. This reveals one hidden side. You can do the exact same thing to reveal the other hidden side. Cool, huh? Now fold the whole thing up down to the size of one square, and stick it in your pocket. Now use it! (My video showed this really well, but alas it will not load... I'll try again tomorrow).

As a disclaimer, I should say that I learned how to make flexagons somewhere. I don't remember where. I think I am the first one to make a pocket study tool out of it, but I did not invent the flexagon. If you recognize this mathematical piece of magic and know who I should credit, please let me know!

Pocket-Sized

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Pocket-Sized