According to Squidoo, lapbooking is defined as:
…making mini-books covering details that you’ve studied. After making a variety of mini-books about a larger topic, all the books are put together in a large folder. The finished product is called a lapbook because it’s large and covers your lap.
Homeschool lapbook writing is very popular, and can be done by anyone, even adults. This educational method engages the learner in several hands-on mini-book projects covering details they have studied. After making a variety of mini-books about a larger topic, all the books are put together in a large folder. Any subject or event can be turned into a lapbook--math, history, art, science, poetry, a field trip, a vacation, the new puppy… Hands-on learning is important because academic learning is too abstract for many students. According to John Goodland, students need to see, touch and smell what they hear, read and write about.
While creating the lapbook, ideas and thoughts are turned into something visible and structured. It brings together your left brain (words, logic) and right-brain skills (images, color, rhythm, space) which dramatically increases your mind power.The right-brained visual learner is right at home with this learning method as are many other students.
Our brains think in unique and logarithmic ways. Chunking refers to the strategy of breaking down information into bite-sized pieces so the brain can more easily digest new information. A mini book is a chunk of information about a particular theme or subject.
Lapbooking is also an excellent way of storing and recalling information and presenting things to others. The completed lapbook can serve as a review tool as your children refer to it over and over again. Many homeschooling families use lapbooks as a record of what their student studied during the year. If you have to keep a homeschool portfolio to document learning each year, lapbooks can be a very impressive addition.
Lapbooking incorporates a wide range of modalities, thus the student is going to be more engaged and enthusiastic. According to Educational Testing Service in 2001, students who participate in hands-on learning activities outperform their peers by 72% of a grade level in math and 40% of a grade level in science. This study indicates that the most effective class.
Read what Dee says about lapbooking and see her example of a lapbook. If your child is artistic, have him draw the graphics. But if drawing gives your child fits, then find some nice clipart for him to paste into the mini-books. Search the Internet for images related to your topic
What kind of mini-book should you use? In the beginning, start small. Make some basic books with easy folds, and add your information into them. As you gain experience, you can venture out into some of the more complicated mini-books.
What kind of lapbooks have your children completed?