What supplies do I need to start lapbooking with my students? The great thing about lapbooks is that you do not have to run out and purchase special supplies. Most people have the supplies they need right around the house. Basic supplies needed to lapbook include:
ü File folders
ü Paper in variety of colors and weights (cardstock, 24#)
ü Crayons, pencils, markers, paints
ü Adhesive- double stick tape, glue, glue sticks (for a complete list of favorite adhesives used by lapbookers, visit the Files section at handsofachildtalk)
ü Stapler and staples
ü Paper punch
ü Optional items like stickers, magazine clippings, and other embellishments.
I have all my supplies together, what is next? The best way to begin is to organize the materials and supplies your student will need to complete his or her lapbook. To prepare a lapbook project for your student that uses 10 key concepts, follow these steps:
ü Choose a topic to study
ü Write down 10 key concepts you want your student to learn about this particular topic (you may have to do your research first in order to find 10 concepts)
ü Do your research! It is important for the parent/teacher to find out the correct information related to the concepts you want your student to learn. Write down brief information about each of the 10 concepts.
ü Now it is time to begin creating the mini books and projects. Create one activity for each of the 10 concepts you have chosen. Activities you might design include mini file folders, mini books, pockets, puppets, etc. It is a good idea to write down an idea for a mini book as you read it in your research.
There are many online resources that can help you create mini books and graphics for your student’ lapbooks including:
www.handsofachild.com
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/index.htm
http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/teachers/minibooks.html
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabetp5.htm
How do we fold the file folder to make a lapbook? That’s easy! Just open the folder up and lay flat. Next, fold each side into the middle fold so it looks like two shutters. Mini books and projects will be attached to the sides and inside to complete the lapbook.
How do my students complete the lapbooks? After you have prepared everything needed to complete the lapbook, it is up to your students to work on the activities and put them in their lapbooks. As a student completes his or her research, have him record it in the correct mini book. Students can either put their mini books into their lapbooks as they go or save everything and put it on all together.
What if all the mini books we have made do not fit into one file folder? Simply fold two file folders and attach them together to make a double-folder. Or you can add extensions to file folders by placing a sheet of cardstock in the middle that can lift up.
Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child. Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect. They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in printed book or ebook formats. Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.
