If you are like most classroom teachers, the term “lapbook” was never one that appeared in your teacher prep textbooks. What is it? Is it a book that students read on their laps? Actually, lapbooks are a way for students to express themselves and demonstrate their knowledge in folder or book form.
Using Lapbooks for Learning
Imagine opening up a plain manila folder with the title “The Civil War” on the front. Inside you find small, folded books glued or stapled to the folder. Each little book contains facts about different aspects of the Civil War. In one neatly folded triangular book you find a list of the major battles and their dates. In a circular book that has been colored to look like a mirror, you find information about period dress. The student has broken down the information learned about the event and put it into mini-book format. When compiled, those mini-books become a great tool to assess student learning.
While it makes sense to use lapbooks for history, they are also a great alternative to traditional book reports. Use them with early elementary grades to help them focus on different aspects of the story. Everything from picture books to chapter books are fair game. Phonics, spelling words, math facts, science topics and more are all perfectly suited for lapbooks.
Lapbooks are also great for at-home projects. It will require a lot of initial explanation, and possibly doing one in class first, but the idea of lapbook is that students can demonstrate their knowledge in a creative way. Lapbooks will never replace the need for developing essays or reports, but they do offer a unique opportunity for demonstration and assessment.
If you are interested in find out more about lapbooks and lapbooking, check out the resources below. Many offer free, downloadable templates that can be easily adapted for classroom use.
Free Lapbooks from Homeschool Share
Earth Day Lapbooks
Janet says
Lapbooks are a great way to motivate reluctant writers, as well! It’s one thing to compose a narrative; it’s another thing to create a wonderfully illustrated lapbook to accompany a story!
Rhonda Guinn says
I love this! I have just recently started incorporating more foldables into my curriculum especially with language & social studies. This would be another great idea to help with teaching some of the more complex standards we are required! Thank you!!
Barbara G. says
OK, these lapbooks are SO cool. I am going to share them with our staff! What a comprehensive way to summarize what they’ve learned. Thanks for sharing.
Danielle K. says
These Lapbooks are so cool! I love your website and the Internet in general because I learn something new every day that helps me to become a better teacher. I especially love the ideas that don’t require spending lots of money to do. Thanks for all of the great resources and products!
Penny says
I had learned about these before but forgot about them. Need to start using again! Great way to share knowledge.
Nikki says
I’m discussing with my partner how to incorporate these in the classroom already–sooo many ideas!
Debbie P says
My 6th grade granddaughter showed me a lapbook she had done for a class last week and I was really impressed. I have been thinking about ways I can use these in my 4th grade class.
Ann Marie says
These lapbooks look very impressive! Great way for students to showcase their knowledge! I like how the ideas went across many grade levels.