Think Outside of the Box...

Years ago, when I began homeschooling, I attended on workshop held at CHER regarding lap-booking.  It was hosted by a home school mom at the time: Cyndy Regeling.  I wasn't sure what I was in for, but WOW did I learn a whole new way of teaching concepts that I still use today. All I needed was a bit of imagination, some creativity, paper, glue, scissors and an open mind.

Lap-booking for children is a form of book-making. It is a concept,or a summary of what children learn while learning a unit study of choice...they make mini books. Those mini books turn into big books, portfolios and accomplishments of what your child has learnt and researched...and not an essay or test in sight.

Now, I'm not against writing book reports, essays nor tests, but sometimes, as a parent/teacher you need to think outside the box, and really figure out what will engage your child to learn and enjoy learning, instead of just memorizing and regurgitating facts, that later they will not remember.

In the last ten years, we have made lap books on the novels and stories we've read, science concepts, and social studies units. We've learnt about the Egyptians, Mayans/Aztecs, explored different Christmas traditions  traveled through pioneer times and have gone to Narnia; all with lap books.
Lap books strengthen comprehension, creative skills, and give children a sense of "ownage" to the information they present. It also motivates children to research and write with and for a purpose.

Two books that have been dog eared and used throughout my homeschooling years are:
                                                               


                                                                

These are my "go to" books when I need ideas. I found these at CHER, and they still have these in print.

Here are a few sites that I have  also use for ideas and encouragement, but if you just Google lap books, there are hundreds of sites and YouTube videos to get you started.

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.php
http://www.lapbooklessons.com/LapbookTemplates.html
http://sunflowerschoolhouse.com/homeschool4free/lapbooking-resources/
http://www.currclick.com/

Learning and teaching go hand in hand; they are a lifetime job. Its an ever changing process but it doesn't mean that you need to be pigeon holed into the same.boring.way. of doing things. Sometimes, its OK to think outside the box. What a wonderful concept :)