In the Hands of A Child Lapbook Project Packs

In the Hands of a Child

Lapbooks are a great way to do unit studies with hands-on, creative approaches for researching and recording information, creating study tools, and summarizing or illustrating what a student has learned. A lapbook might cover either a broad or narrow topic or anything in between.

HOAC Lapbooks are constructed from colored file folders that are refolded to open in the center, but they can also be expanded by connecting additional file folders. Then, smaller "booklets" are created and attached within the file folder(s). The booklets are done in creative shapes, with unusual folds, inserts, closures, and other features that make each one unique.

In the Hands of a Child has created a huge line of more than 200 Lapbook Project Packs, available in a variety of formats: printed book, ebook (inlcuding some with a "Type It In" feature), CD, and printed book/CD combo. Each Project Pack includes instructions for creating the file folder "book" as well as the questions or assignments for students to use as they create the smaller booklets. Project Packs also include background information on the topic, recommended resources list (primarily books and websites), and templates for the booklets. You will need to procure your own colored file folder, colored paper for reproducing the templates, and supplies such as glue, brads, and scissors.

HOAC also offers Kit Packs to simplify prep work. Kit Packs include the lapbook base (a prefolded, color file folder), all the templates preprinted on colored paper (ready to cut out), plus brads for "wheels" and "fan books." Note that you still need the basic Project Pack for each Kit Pack.

Craft Kits are available for some topics. Each Craft Kit contains five crafts that correlate with the topic of a Project Pack.

I previously mentioned the "Type It In" feature for ebooks. The ebooks available in this format (a limited number at this time) allow students to type their own information directly into the booklets before printing them out. This should be very appealing to those who prefer the keyboard to handwriting.

For those who want to create their own lapbooks, there's a book of templates for creating booklets. For parents who want some help with a special topic, HOAC takes orders for custom lapbooks ($45).

Project Packs are available targeting audiences from early childhood up through ninth grade. Among the huge list of topics covered by Project Packs you will find topics from history, geography, economics, science, Bible, holidays, literature/book studies, biographies, sports, preschool, and language arts.