The PAPER FOLDING GAME

Teaching Guide

1. Create 5-10 sample paper folds using the instructions here. Place them around the room so that all students can see them.
2. Pass out paper and scissors to all students and inform them of the game rules:
   • No talking to other students
   • Raise your hand if you are ready to get yours checked
   • Absolutely no touching the sample folds
   • Remeber that YES, it is possible
3. Set a 10 minute timer and have students begin. Don’t offer any advice or encouragement once the students begin. Just observe.
4. While the studentds are working, walk around the classroom and monitor their behavior and language. Write down the language you hear on the board, no names attatched. Examples: "This is impossible!" "I'm done!"
5. When time is up, have students do a 60 second quick write on how they felt during the activity.
6. Engage the group in a discussion using the following prompts:
   • Did anyone make it? How long did it take? How many tries?
   • Was the first ten seconds of trying much different from the last ten seconds? How? Why?
   • What was it like when someone else got it?
   • How many attempts did you take?
   • Is the language on the board helpful or hurtful in accomplishing this task?
   • The language we tell ourselves is important. What is some language we could use that would be helpful in accomplishing this task?
7. Close by having student pair-share why learning to struggle is important.