The document describes how to make a "Magic Book" using only one and one half sheets of paper. It can be made as a whole class or in small groups. To create it, the paper is folded horizontally and sides are folded toward the center. It is then folded into equal parts and cut along the folds, leaving two slashes in the middle. Strips are woven through an opening and folded to look like a "W". When opened from the sides, the contents disappear, but reappear when opened from the middle with thumbs. The uses are limited only by imagination.

1. The Magic Book
So many uses, so little time
Carmen B. Sanchez Texas, 2012

2. The Magic Book
• Contents disappear when opened from sides.
• Requires only one and one half sheets of paper.
• Uses are bound by the imagination only.
• Depending on age of students, can be made as
whole class (all at once) or in small groups (teacher
with 3 or 4 students at a time)

3. Using the whole sheet
Fold paper in half horizontally.

4. Fold back toward
folded edge

5. Do the same to the
other side.

6. Fold in equal parts
The purpose of the book will determine the number of folds and size of
paper used.

7. Open the paper so it is folded in half

8. Very important step.
If students are left
handed, instruct them
to hold the scissors in
their left hand and the
open part of the paper
in their right hand.
Right handed students
will do the opposite.
From the folded edge they will cut on the marks left from
the previous fold and only to the center line.

9. If done the wright way…
The paper should
show two slashes
down the middle.

10. USING THE HALF SHEET OF PAPER
Notice we used two different colors…

11. Fold paper in half vertically.
Cut paper on fold line.

12. It’s weaving time!
Take the two strips
of paper and
weave them
through the
opening of your
whole sheet.

13. Fold your booklet so it looks like a W
Close it.

14. Work your thumbs to the middle and carefully open
your booklet.

15. Decorate around
the perimeter of
each square.
The content will fill
the inside.

16. Close the booklet and write an appropriate title.
These two magic books were created to go inside the front
cover of the science notebook for 5th grade students.

17. On the inside
Depending on the
purpose of your
magic book, the
students will write
the appropriate
content inside the
squares.

18. Another view
The skills needed to
think as a scientist
would.

19. To make it magic…
• Hold the booklet so you can see the
writing.
• Take the outside flaps between your
thumb and index finger
• Gently pull in opposite directions.
•Voilá! The writing disappeared!
Want to see the writing again?
Fold the book and open with
thumbs from the center.