As a co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child, the Premier Supplier of Ready-to-Assemble Lapbooks, I am asked a lot of questions about lapbooking.   Many people have heard the term “lapbooking” but have no idea what it is or are overwhelmed by the entire concept of hands-on activities and unit studies.  Lapbooks are great ways to include hands-on activities to your student’s curriculum, especially unit studies! 

1. What is a lapbook?  A lapbook is a hands-on tool that you can use with your children in place of worksheets or other monotonous learning tools.  It can be used for ages preschool through high school and can be used with any subject matter!

As a homeschool parent or teacher you may hear this type of comment  “Student learning improves when lessons incorporate hands-on projects or crafts.”  It is true!  Student learning does improve when you include hands-on activities!  Think about yourself, as a learner- is it more fun to read a recipe on paper or actually dig your hands in and make that recipe? 

Lapbooks become portfolios that your student has created about a particular topic.  They are easy to store and fit into a file cabinet, file box, or magazine holder with ease.  In addition, lapbooks are an instant review tool!  What better way to go back over the things your student learned about the Moon than pulling out a lapbook and reminiscing about all the great projects he or she completed!

2. How are lapbooks made?  Lapbooks are made from file folders, cardstock, poster board, foam core, pocket folders; notebooks…feel free to use your imagination! 

A lapbook is a created using a collection of mini books and activities that can be put inside a folder or a small book.  Each mini book or project addresses a key point or concept relating to the unit study. For example, your student is studying the Moon.  A lapbook on the study of the Moon may include: 

ü     A mini fan-book that the student has written Moon vocabulary words in. 

ü     A scale graphic that the student has created to compare the mass of the Moon to the Earth.

ü     A mini book for the student to describe the different phases of the Moon.

Mini books included in a lapbook can be any sizes or shapes and made from cardstock, copy paper, scrapbooking paper, or even fabric.  They can be created from computer graphics or hand-made.  Projects can include crafts, recipes, and experiments as well!  Why not make a model of the moon while completing the Moon lapbook?  Or find a recipe for “moon pies.”  The possibilities are endless.