How to Make a Lapbook

Lapbooks are one of the new rages in homeschooling. These books are much easier than they look and they are so much fun!!! Basically, a lapbook is a project book that covers a certain subject. They are a great learning tool, that help retention and are great for all ages.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3-5 books on a certain subject
• a file folder
• printer
• a pencil
• glue
• crayons/ markers or colored pencils
• printouts of templates
• things to decorate like stickers, die cuts, coloring pagers, magazine pictures, pattern paper or colored paper

1. Get and read 3-5 good books about the chosen subject from the library or your own collection.

2. 

   Take a file folder and open it up. Fold one side until it touches the middle and crease. Do the same with the other side.

3. 

   Start working on booklets. You can use either booklets that are already designed for the subject or blank templates. There are so many that you can just print out what you need! There are several good sources for free booklets and blank templates. Here are a few of the better ones:
   http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.php
   http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php
   http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks.htm
   http://www.hslaunch.com/mypage/files?tagSearch=lapbooking

4. 

   After all the booklets are created, arrange them on the file folder BEFORE you glue them down.

5. 

   After you have figured out the arrangement, glue them down. I usually use either a scrapbooking dry roller tape or Elmers blue gel glue stick. The blue gel glue stick seems to stick well and doesn't bubble and soak through.

6. 

   You can embellish the lapbook with stickers, die cuts, patterned papers, coloring pages, magazine pictures or colored paper. While it is not necessary, it does make them look really cute.

7. 

   Now decorate the front to show what type of lapbook it is. Your can use the some type of embellishments as in the last step.

8. Now you have a treasure that you and your child can look back on and remember all the exciting things they learned!

Tips & Warnings

• In between booklets, store all the pieces in a large storage bag, preferably a 2 gallon one.
• Don't hesitate to help your child. Younger children especially will need help with the cutting and arranging. Even older children may appreciate some help and it is something you can do together.
• Don't try to to too much at once. If your child is getting tired, put it away for the next day.

Resources

• Lapbook Templates
• Free Lapbooks
• More Free Lapbooks and Templates
• Free Booklets
• Lapbooking 101

[Jolocol]

on 6/23/2009 I love this. We use lapbooks in our school regularly.

[zahzel]

on 5/21/2009 Good article Z

[alienangel555]

on 5/2/2009 very cute educational idea. Love it

[westernmom]

on 4/17/2009 What a fun project I can do with my grandkids. Thanks for sharing how to make a lapbook. 5* and a recommend!

[prism]

on 4/13/2009 Great idea and fun project! Thanks for sharing!