Perhaps
you've heard the term "lap book" tossed
around in home-schooling circles. You wanted to ask
someone what the heck they were talking about, but
you didn't want to appear ignorant of the new home-school
jargon. So, here is the "411" on the latest
home-schooling trend.
"Lap
book" is actually a trademarked term coined by
Tammy Duby of Tobi's Lab. She has spent countless
hours creating and teaching the art of "lap books"
"Lap books" can also be called "shutter-books"
and "folder books". Whatever the term, they
are a way to organize information.
Let's
say that you are studying Africa during a year-long
exploration of continents and you really want your
children to understand the people and events that
make up the African culture. So, you take your family
on a field-trip to the local library and check-out
fiction and non-fiction books and videos about Africa,
it's culture, it's history and it's people. As you
and your children spend precious time together pouring
over some wonderful books, you all begin to soak up
the people and places of this intriguing continent.
You want a gentle way for your children to understand
and remember what they have read.
Now,
you begin to assemble small booklets and paper manipulatives
that outline the basic information that has been covered.
For example, you may choose some of the following
activities: color a reproduction of African art for
the cover of the folder. make a three-part book showing
the three major biomes of Africa make a 3/4 book showing
Africa, it's hemisphere and interesting points of
Africa. Write a book report on Muraro's Beautiful
Daughters or King of the Wind. Make a shape book of
Africa that has different layers; boundary map, physical
map, and bodies of water. You could even make a puzzle
with the different countries of Africa or create a
four-door book explaining the "who", "what",
"where", and "when" of missionary
David Livingstone. Mary Schelessor was also a hero
of faith as a missionary to Africa. A three-part book
outlining her character traits would be appropriate.
The
grassland biome of Africa would make an excellent
tab-top booklet where the vocabulary, plants, animals
and a map of the grasslands could be discussed. What
if Kenya were the African country most intriguing
to your family? How about a question and answer booklet?
A map of Kenya could be on the front. One flap could
show the flag of Kenya with a description of the symbols
underneath. The other flap could show a map of Africa
with an inset of Kenya. Interesting facts about Kenya
could be written underneath. Make a paper wallet with
Kenya currency inside. The out side could show the
ratio of Kenyan currency to American currency.
These
are only a fraction of the possibilities. Does't this
sound like a lot more fun than filling out endless
worksheets and test? Do you think your children will
remember your "trip" to Africa after completing
this project? How much do you think they would remember
after taking a test?
Would
you like to find out more about making "lap books"?
There are many wonderful books and websites as well
as "yahoo" groups that can supply you with
information.
Here
are some of my favorites:
Books:
Big
Book of Books and Activities by Dinah Zike
The Big Book of Projects by Dinah Zike
The above two books will teach you the paper folds
to put into your "lap books"
The Ultimate Lap book Handbook by Tammy Duby and Cyndy
Regeling
Giant Science Resource Book from Evan-Moor Publishing
Any
book by Dinah Zike would be helpful in your "lap
book" journey.
Websites:
Tobin's
Lab @ www.tobinslab.com
Candle
in the Window @ www.canby.com/hockmanchupp/student_folder_websites.html
Using
Dinah Zike materials @ http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8mnnp/dinahzike.html
*
Especially her article on diving dataÑExcellent!
Living
Literature with Lap Book Learning @ www.geocities.com/gibsevengang/lapbooks.html
Groups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lapbooking/
Written
by Candace Darr Independent Consultant, Educational
Specialist
Ask
me about The Story Teller; felt products for fun and
learning. Make great gifts!
