No matter what you call them lapbooks, lap books, accordion books, centers, file folder games, flapbooks, flipbooks, notebooks, pocket folders, pop-ups, portfolders, portfolios, printables, presentations, shapebooks, scrapbooks, shutterbooks, take it to your seat centers, project packs, unit studies or any other terminology Lapbooks are FUN so what is this thing with so many names??

What is a Lapbook?

• A 3-D presentation of what the child learned during her study
• A collection of mini books and graphic organizers pulled together into a series of file folders
• A hands-on approach to learning, replacing worksheets or other monotonous learning tools
• A scrapbook
• A unit study
• A portfolio

Who benefits from Lapbooks?

• Preschoolers
• All ages and grades of students Kindergarten-High school
• Special Needs Students
• Homeschools
• Classrooms
• Co-ops
• Scouts, 4-H, and other organized groups
• Sunday schools and Youth groups
• Senior Citizens

Learning Styles

• Visual (spatial). You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
• Aural (auditory-musical).You prefer using sound and music.
• Verbal (linguistic).You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
• Physical (kinesthetic).You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

Benefits

• All ages and learning styles can be taught together
• When using Lapbook Project Packs, all teacher prep is done for you
• Easy to store
• Instant review tool
• Portfolios
• Improve retention and reinforce study
• Motivate reluctant students
• Empower students to be responsible for their own learning

What Supplies are needed?

• Everyday crafting supplies
• File Folders
• Colored printer paper
• Brads
• Stapler
• Double-Stick Tape

Then what?

• Choose a topic to study
• Decide if you want to use premade blank templates to complete your study or design your own
• If you want to use blank templates, you do your own research on the topic.
• Use library books, the Internet, or an existing curriculum and choose 10-20 concepts you’d like your child to learn about the subject.
• Design the graphic organizers for each of the concepts you want the child to learn.

Completing a Lapbook...

• Flexibility is key, work on the unit a few activities a day
• Do a few vocabulary words and timeline events each day
• Store completed activities in a baggie or large envelope

Folding the folder

Make the size that is right for the number of pieces you have in your projects

Basic Lapbook Base

• Open a file folder and lay it flat.
• Fold both right and left edges toward the center so they meet and close like a pair of shutters.
• Crease firmly.

Base with Single or Double Extensions

• Complete the basic lapbook base.
• Open base and lay flat.
• Cut another folder in half or use a sheet of cardstock for the extension.
• Lay the extension in the center of folder at either the top or bottom. (You may add two extensions if need be; one at the top and one at the bottom).
• Attach to base with clear packing tape.

Double Folder Base

• Make two base folders.
• Open them and lay them side by side with outer flaps pointing straight up, not flat.
• Where the two flaps meet glue them together.
• Fold center flap to one side, fold both shutters in and close folders like a book.

Incorporating Lapbooks

• Use for all subjects, just add  English and Math at the student’s grade level
• Add onto a complete boxed curriculum
• Use for a fun break or child-led learning

FAQ's

Can Project or Research Packs be incorporated into my existing lesson  plans?

Project and Research Packs work with unit studies, packaged curriculum,  eclectic approaches or any other method of learning that your family or school uses.  They can stand alone or can be incorporated into any lesson or lessons covering the subject matter.  You can use them as they are or make them a jumping off point and add to them!   The learning prospects are unlimited.   Keep them simple or expand upon them.  The choice is yours!

What if I am not creative?

You don’t have to be creative!  We have taken out all of the guess work and preparation time!  Key points of study are outlined for you and all of the reproducible graphics are included.

Can your units be used with groups of students or with students of  multiple ages?

Yes!  One of the great things about our products is their flexibility.  All of our units can easily be adapted to the learning level of the students.  By  creating our Packs with multiple students you’ll quickly see that although they all start out with the same activity they each come up with their own unique project.  Children own what they make and enjoy making it their own.  Our products have been tested in Co-op situations and had  overwhelming success. Most of our customers use our units with children of varying ages and each participates and learns at their own level.