Homeschooling What is Lapbooking?

We started lapbooking over 2 years ago and find its an exciting way to keep our children interested in learning themed units. Most children learn better threw hands on activities. Lapbooking takes on many different forms and allows the child to express him or herself threw a hands on artistic approach.

WHAT IS A LAPBOOK?

Basically a lapbook is a file folder that contains information about your unit or theme. Materials you put in your laptop are totally up to you and your student. Common parts of a lapbook are mini books, clipart, lists, mini games, diagrams, charts,foldables and the list goes on and on. Lapbooks as you can see are highly interactive from start to finish. After the process is finished you have a great resource for a memorable keepsake and our children go back and re-interact with all their completed lapbooks which gives them on going learning about the particular subject.

WHAT SKILLS DO LAPBOOKS ASSIST WITH IN THE LEARNING PROCESS?

Since lapbooking is more of a hands on approach to learning sensory skills of touch are a huge part of it helping with coordination and fine motor control. Encouraging organization skills by planning the layout of the lapbook. Teaching your student how to break down a global topic into smaller parts. Lapbooking gives the student the freedom to expand on a particular topic rather than being confined to one text book. For the older student lapbooking can encourage learning how to research a topic and how to bring facts together in an understable manner. The skills are endless and only limited by imagination.

WHAT AGES ARE LAPBOOKS APPROPRIATE FOR?

We have started out lapbooking with students as young as preschool age and have included them as part of a highschoolers education also. The only consideration is with the youngest students more one on one assistance is needed. Starting young in the lapbook process encouraged our children to develop skills at an earlier age with regards to hand eye coordination and fine motor skills. The more practice that's encouraged the faster these skills are mastered. Another positive effect we have seen in our homeschoolers is when the student completes a lapbook they have tremendous pride in their accomplishment and strive to make the next one better than the last which is a huge confidence booster.

HOW EXPENSIVE IS IT TO INCLUDE LAPBOOKS AS PART OF A HOMESCHOOLING CURRICULUM?

If you have a printer and Internet access the cost of lapbooking is greatly decreased. There are literally thousands of free lapbooking printable and ideas out on the net. Ideas threw websites, forums and online homeschooling groups is a great way to connect with other homeschooling families that use lapbooking. Most homeschooling families are egar to share their ideas and success with this method of learning. Another way to cut cost is to recycle materials from around the house that you would normally throw away.... scraps of wrapping paper, Popsicle sticks, ribbon,paper bags etc etc list goes on and on.

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