A great way to encourage student writing in any content area is through the use of hands-on activities such as folded books.  Because the books are student made, they take ownership of the project and invest more time and effort into the work.  Below you will find directions to a wide variety of foldables.

Tips on Folding Books

Websites on Folded Books:

Folded Books (Kite, Clover, Heart)
http://www.shininghours.com/creating/bookideas.htm

Accordion Fold Book - PDF
http://www.sdmart.org/pix/accordionbook.pdf

Not Your Same Old Book Report

http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/foldedbkrpts071599.html

Jacob's Ladder Book - PDF

http://ms-t-inc.com/pdf-file/jacob.pdf

Catawba County Schools:  Foldables

http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/C_i_resources/Foldables.htm

Do Foldables Work in the High School Classroom?

http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=71231

Teaching in Room 6:  The Cutest Little Foldable Book Ever!
http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/2012/02/cutest-little-foldable-book-ever.html

Tech-It & Take It:  Let's Make Books
http://www.vickiblackwell.com/makingbooks.html