When it comes to craft projects, I am all thumbs. If I must struggle with following incomprehensible directions and managing difficult techniques, I prefer to end up with something delicious to eat. You can imagine my fear when I was first introduced to lap books–-described by the author of the Ultimate Lap Book Handbook as "a file folder folded a funny way, and then filled with child-produced booklets". As I read through this book, my fear turned to fascination. This was one incredible project that even I could handle!
The authors begin with a very convincing ten-reason list of paragraphs describing why and how the making of books is beneficial to a student of any age. They continue with a section on Lap Books, including the basic ways of folding the folder and the booklets that go inside. Construction, assembly, and layout techniques are also discussed, and cover designs and FAQs are described. The next section is titled "Beyond Lap Books" and contains the instructions for making simple books, stick books, pizza books, hardcover books, and more. Are you getting overwhelmed yet? Don't! This is where most "how-to" books end, expecting you to be able to apply these ideas to your own homeschool. The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook is just getting to the best part.
The heart of the book is the Book Blueprints section. The authors proceed through Bible, History, Literature. Math (Yes! Even Math!), Science, and Social Studies, and they offer step-by-step directions for more than fifty projects at all grade levels. Will your 3rd-8th grade student be studying the Ten Commandments? Does your high schooler need a Math Formula Flip Book? Would your K-4th grader enjoy making a Weather book? The well-illustrated project directions provide no-fail projects for the craft-challenged as well as a comprehensive range of starter ideas for experienced "Fun Moms". Many black-and-white photographs of finished projects are also included. Each project description includes Writing Prep and Presentation sections in addition to any helpful tips. More advanced projects also include a list of materials, suggested booklets for the inside, assembly directions, and evaluation guidelines. These techniques can be used with any homeschooling method from strictly classical to unit study to textbooks. They can be used with just one child or a CCD class or a Scout group. I can't wait to get started making our next book!
