How To Assemble A Lapbook

I LOVE using Lapbooks in my classroom!

Why?

Because not only do they showcase student learning in a neat and organised package (pleasing my OCD tendencies ;p) but they are engaging for students also. I love how my students take ownership of their Lapbook. They take pride in the work they produce and interest in the topic that is being studied. Even the most boring of topics comes to life as my students explore the content using interactive notebook style flaps and pockets.

Why does it work?

I don’t really have the most scientific of answers but all I know is that it just does! Taking notes in a flipbook style format as opposed to straight into their books just grabs their attention more.

So how do I use Lapbooks?

Lapbooks are used in a variety of ways in my classroom. Most commonly I use them for assessment. Like the Australian Explorer Lapbook below, there is usually some element to the Lapbook that showcases the learning process as a whole class and then an element where the students then have to take this knowledge and apply it. In this case, the students have to write a biography/letter/diary based on the knowledge gained from their research of their Australian Explorer.

Other Lapbooks I have used in the classroom are used in rotations. These Lapbooks are designed for the teacher to create and can be used over and over again to consolidate learning of a particular topic. My Math Centre Folders are a great example of this.

But how do you assemble your lapbook?

I should really get down to the purpose of this post. How to assemble your Lapbook.

Lapbook assembly is quite straight forward really. All you will need is:

A Manilla folder (A4 or foolscap is fine – all my resources have been created to suit an A4 lapbook)
Glue Stick
A4 thick cardboard – about 230gsm (optional)

Taking your Manilla folder, open it out and flatten out the middle crease as much as possible.
With the Manilla folder still open, fold the left edge into the middle crease. Press down firm to create the new crease.
Fold the right edge into the same middle crease and once again press down firmly to create a new crease.

At this point your Lapbook is assembled, however, in order to ensure the sturdiness of your Lapbook and prevent it from folding at the middle and destroying the contents of your Lapbook I recommend you follow the next steps.

Open the new folds you have just made.
Take your piece of cardboard and apply some glue to one side.
Glue the cardboard into the middle of your Lapbook (this will prevent it from folding in on itself).