Get it Together! Part 3 of 5 in Homeschool Share’s Lapbooking Series

Homeschool Share is asked a lot of questions in regards to lapbooks. In an effort to answer these questions, we have been sharing a Five Part Series dedicated just to lapbooks. In case you missed the earlier posts, here are the links:

Now that you have gathered all of your supplies and picked out a lapbook to complete, it is time for:

 First off, let me just say that there is no one correct way to complete a lapbook. The purpose of lapbooks is for children to be able to record and preserve the lessons they’ve learned in a fun and creative way. It is best for your children to take ownership of this project, with minimal parental input. That being said, let’s get started!

Previously, my 14 year old daughter shared how she prefers to lapbook, attaching the lapbook components to cardstock and storing in a three ring binder. Those step by step instructions can be found HERE.

Now, my 12 year old daughter and I will show the day to day process of completing a lapbook using the conventional file folder method. She will be completing a FREE Periodic Table Lapbook from Homeschool Share, using the book Fizz, Bubble, & Flash by Anita Brandolini.

Day 1: Preparation

We printed out the instructions and cut them in to strips. We numbered each strip and used them as bookmarks, indicating when each lesson/component should be done. In the case of Fizz, Bubble, & Flash, we divided the unit into 11 lessons, plus one day of prep and one day to assemble, which at the rate of a lesson a day will be approximately 3 weeks worth of work. (We utilize a 4 day school week.)

We then printed out all of the components. We used plain white paper for this project. Together, we cut and folded each component. Some people like to cut and fold as they go. For us, it is easier to get out the paper cutter and other supplies once, and get them all done in an hour or two. It also gives us a chance to chat. This lapbook has a nice variety of components, including layered, tab, fan, flap, wheel and shape books, each with easy to follow instructions for cutting and folding. On the back of each component we wrote the number that coincides with the applicable lesson. All of the components are then stored in a gallon size Ziploc.

We then read together the first chapter of Fizz, Bubble, & Flash, pages 4-7, as an introduction.

Day 2: Lesson  1

Daughter read pages 8-11 on her own, located component #1, Boxes on Periodic Table, and completed lapbook component following instructions on strip. She then returned the completed component to the Ziploc. 

Day 3: Lesson 2

We discussed what was going to be expected for the next 10 components, and how she would need to choose three elements from each family to include in each component. In the components she would record the element information including name, symbol, atomic number, mass, and uses. She would also need to identify each particular family by shading it in on provided blank periodic tables and bonding it into component.

Daughter then read pages 12-21 in Fizz, Bubble, & Flash about Alkali Metals and completed component #2, Clipboard Shape Book. The three elements she chose to include were hydrogen, sodium, and potassium. She performed an experiment to see how hydrogen can be broken away from oxygen in water. We took a picture, which we will include in lapbook.

Days 4 – 12: Lessons 3-11

Each day my daughter moved on to next chapter, reading assigned pages, and completing lapbook components #3 to #11 as described on strips. We did any experiments mentioned in chapter as interest warranted, and took photographs to add into lapbook for a personalized touch. Completed components were returned to Ziploc.

Day 13: Assembly

This is pay day! My daughter finally gets to see her three weeks of work come to fruition. All of the components have been completed, photographs printed, and she is ready to assemble them all into file folders.

The number and size of components will determine the number of file folders you will need for the project. There are many ways to fold your file folders and to increase their size. After laying the components out and visualizing the space needed, my daughter chose to make hers by attaching two shutterfolds together.

First, she shutterfolded each folder by flattening the folder and then folding each side in to meet in the center. Then, she attached the folders by gluing the backs of the inside flaps together.

She then positioned all the components and glued them into place.

Narrow components fit on inside flaps, while the wider ones were placed in the center.

After all components were placed and glued, the outside flaps were folded in, the book was folded closed, and a title graphic was placed on the cover.

In Part 4 of the HSS Lapbooking Series, we will show you, step by step, how to design your own lapbook. To be sure not to miss the fun, feel free to subscribe at the link to the right.