Lapbooking in Your Homeschool

If you are looking for a way to help your child learn about a topic in a fun and interesting way, you may want to consider lapbooking. There are so many different fun and interesting ways to record facts and findings. Your imagination level will be the only thing to hold you back. So what exactly is a lapbook and how do you make one?

A lapbook is simply a portfolio of your child’s work that is presented in a creative and eye catching manner. It will encompass a series of creative creations made of paper that will focus on various aspects of the topic you are studying in your homeschool. As your child learns new material, you will want them to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject. This can be accomplished by making a series of mini reports, charts, graphs, illustrations, photos, recipes and the list can go on and on. All of these mini projects are then compiled into a special folder that you make and then display creatively.

For example, suppose you are studying geography and you want to study each of the states in the US. You could make a variety of flap books, mini booklets, pamphlets and pop ups that will display the many different aspects of the topic. You could have a layered tabbed book with four different panels that could list the state bird, state flower, state motto and the date inducted into the union. A pop up could show a picture of the state’s flag and any information about it. A three fold pamphlet could describe any information about that state you want to cover such as national parks, tourist attractions, etc. After you have completed the many different elements of your lapbook, you will then fasten each element into a colored file folder. This will create a vast array of visual pleasure when you open it.

You will find that your kids are drawn to creating these lapbooks in your homeschool. It provides them with many opportunities to present key information in a condensed format that is fun. They will also gain an element of graphic art presentation as they learn to present their materials in a manner that is visually stimulating. It will keep them stimulated and excited to learn even when faced with tedious studies. By having your kids share their creations, they gain self esteem and also review the materials without being forced to.

To see some samples of finished lapbooks, you can visit Peakmore Academy Lapbooks. For more information on how to create the different elements of your lapbooks, please download this guide provided by Tobin’s Lab.

The possibilities of using lapbooking in your homeschool are endless. What are some of the ways you will use this technique in your homeschool?

Photo courtesy of Peakmore Academy Lapbooks