Paper Folding in the Middle School Classroom and Beyond

This article discusses how paper folding can be used in the classroom to introduce the standard results of school geometry, such as the transversal and parallel lines results, along with results concerning angles in convex polygons and centres of triangles, for example. Angle bisectors, midpoints, perpendiculars are all straightforward "constructions" for the paper folder. If translucent paper is used it renders easy tasks such as duplicating an angle or a segment to any position desired. Paper folding encourages students toward conjecture and invites the teacher to reflect upon the meaning of proof. Results are made plausible by simple observations associated with the folding of paper. A significant benefit of the paper folding technique is its accessibility to students and the affective benefits this confers. (Contains 1 table.)