Lapbooking and Notebooking
Both lapbooking and notebooking are similar to Unit Studies in that there is a focus on a particular concept or theme. Lapbooking allows the student to create an abbreviated “show and tell” of what they learn, while Notebooking carries it to the next level, creating an on-going notebook on a subject. Both methods are a good way to keep a record of what your child has learned and appeals greatly to kinesthetic, hands-on learners. It also offers something to show grandma and grandpa when they ask what the kids have been learning!
More in-depth information on notebooking can be found in this excellent article.
Read more about lapbooking at Lapbooking 101, and then visit Homeschool Share for tons of free lapbooks and free lapbook templates.
This teaching method might work well for you/your student if you:
- want your child to have the freedom to follow her own interests,
- have enough confidence in the process of learning that you don’t mind if not all of your child’s learning can be documented by a written test (see Unschooling),
- see a value in having your child develop expertise in an interest, and are willing to let other activities take second place, at least for a season,
- have a child who has interests, hobbies or collections they want to pursue,
- you want to document their learning by a written record of a notebook,
- your child is willing to learn to let his creativity out in his learning. Note: he doesn’t necessarily have to start off with skill, but at least willing to learn.
More resources to purchase (or find at the library!):
The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook
Lapbooking Made Easy
