Notebooks and Lapbooks Headquarters

Notebooking Lenses 

Notebooking Exhibit

You've heard about notebooking. You know it's a flexible tool that can be used with most any curriculum or homeschooling style. You've read a bit about it, but you're still not quite sure. What is notebooking? What does it actually look like, and ho...

Notebooking

"Notebooking" is a term used to describe the process of creating a written and illustrated record of learning. Unlike other methods of education which are based on cosumable workbooks and texts, notebooking produces a journal of past educat...

Make Your Own Notebooking Pages

So, you've done a bit of notebooking using the freebies online. Maybe you've even bought a kit or two. But now your creativity is kicking in and you want to do it yourself! Yes, you can make your own notebooking pages, even if you're not terribly co...

Make Your Own Notebook Pages

Notebooking template pages are easy to create with a little computer knowledge and a few of these extras. Don't let the process intimidate you. Most makers of "professional" notebook pages started out just like you and learned by trial and error. You...

Homeschooling With Index Cards

We all use index cards to organize our thoughts for papers and projects, but how about to organize your self, home, life, and school? I am a homeschooling mom of 7 years, and we have always used index cards to help us each day. When my kids were you...

Journaling for Children

When my daughter was 5, I noticed that she wasn't enjoying writing anymore. All the writing she was doing at school were on topics that she wasn't interested in. Because of that, she barely wrote, and her handwriting didn't improve like her peers did...

50 States Notebook

The Fifty States of America is a popular notebooking topic. It can be the basis of a unit study, or it can be a supplement to your American history curriculum. When you're finished, you have a wonderful, homemade reference book.

Math Notebooking

Whether you call them math notebooks or math journals, writing about math and documenting math activities are a great way to cement mathematical understanding. And along the way, you're creating a wonderful record of your math studies that can be use...

Notebooking With Younger Children

Notebooking is a great way to learn and there is no reason why it can't work just as well for younger children as it does for the older ones. There are many ways to include early learners in the notebooking experience. Here are a few tried and true m...

Making A Yearbook For Your HomeSchool

Memories created while learning at home are just as important as those created in a traditional school enviroment and have just as much right to be preserved. Just because you are a home educator doesn't mean you can't have a school yearbook. Making...

Science Notebooking

If you're new to notebooking, you'll discover that science is a great topic to begin with. Because science is so broad and lends itself to a variety of methods of expression such as charts, diagrams, paragraphs, and photos, it's perfect for notebooki...

Bible Notebooking

Notebooking can be applied to any subject of study, including the Bible! Enrich your Bible study times by recording what you learn and documenting it in notebooks. The notebook is not the same as a personal prayer or devotional journal although a Bi...

How-To Lapbooking Lenses 

How to Plan a Lapbook

Once you understand the basics of lapbooking, you can easily plan your own lapbook to match whatever topic you are studying. You don't need to buy a kit, so you save money. And you can custom design the lapbook to reflect your children's interests a...

Interactive Notebook

An interactive notebook is similar to a lapbook, but it is ongoing like a notebook. Basically an interactive notebook is a lapbook in a binder! An interactive notebook can be used for science, history, State Studies, Country Studies, Picture Books, P...

Lapbooking

Lapbooking can be done by any learner-- from preschoolers to adults. With this educational method, you make mini-books covering details that you've studied. After making a variety of mini-books about a larger topic, all the books are put together in...

What Do I Need to Get Started With Lapbooking?

If you're ready to take the plunge to use lapbooks in your curriculum, you should evaluate your resources. Do you have what you need to do it well? Where do you store your craft and art supplies? Do you have the essentials for lapbooking? Do you know...

Lapbooking -- Frequently Asked Questions

Most any topic comes with its own set of FAQ --frequently asked questions. Lapbooking is no exception. These questions seem to be asked by most new lapbookers. The fortunate thing is that there are lots of other lapbookers who've already come up with...

How to Make a Three Fourths Book

A three fourths minibook is a simple fold for your lapbook that offers plenty of space inside for writing text or drawing pictures.

How to Make a Trifold Minibook

A trifold is one of the simplest and most versatile minibook out there. It's called a trifold because it's folded in thirds just like you fold a letter to put into an envelope. This lapbook option can be large or small. With lots of empty space ins...

How to Make a Tabbed Book

Making a tabbed book is quite easy! So you don't really need a template. You simply need instructions. Do you have scissors (or a paper cutter), a ruler, a stapler, and some paper? Okay. Follow these step by step directions and you can make this min...

How to Make a Flag Book

A flag book looks tricky, but it's not really hard. These step by step photo instructions will teach you how to make a flag book that you can fill with whatever you want. It's sure to impress! Use it as a minibook for lapbooking something you learne...

How to Make a Four Corner Minibook

Have a square of paper? Then you can easily make this minibook. Because of how it's folded, the four corner minibook is also often called an envelope book. Make it large or make it small depending on how much content you want to include in the book....

What To Do With Lapbook Scraps

Although lapbooking is a great educational tool, it does create an abundance of scrap paper waste. This is a major turn off for some who are considering this method of education, and a source of guilt for many avid lapbookers. But good stewardship a...

How to Make Lapbook Templates in MS Word

I've spent hours figuring out how to create templates for mini-books used in lapbooking. I want to share some easy steps for you to be able to create a few basic mini-books of your own using the Microsoft Word program to hopefully save you many of th...

How to Make a Wheel Book

Grab some cardstock and a paper fastener! We're going to make a wheel book today! This minibook is especially popular with the little ones because of the motion of the book. The wheel book is especially good for steps in a process or listing several...

Minibook Gallery

Whether you're new to lapbooking and are trying to get an idea of what minibooks are or whether you're an old hand at lapbooking and want some fresh ideas, welcome to the minibook gallery! Browse the images for some creative inspiration. Follow the...

How to Make a Matchbook

Called a matchbook because it's folded like a book of matches, this minibook is just a few folds away. Generally a small book, it is perfect for vocabulary words or other snippets of information. Make several and arrange them in a group inside your...

Mini Offices

A mini office is a particular application of lapbooks. Each child can make his own mini-office -- a lapbook filled with reference pages for his own learning. The sky is the limit on what you can include. Fill the mini office with the charts that your...

A Super Easy Way To Begin Lapbooking : The Simplest Lapbook Ever

So you've heard about lapbooking and seen pictures or videos of other people's finished lapbooks all over homeschooling blogs. You're intrigued and want to make a lapbook with your own children. But where to start? How can you transform that plain, b...

Live & Learn--Video Assembly Guide Lenses

At Live & Learn we pride ourselves on writing good directions for folding minibooks. Some folks, however, do not learn well without visuals. Others would like to have their children do the folding. For those people, we offer our Video Assembly Guide...

Lapbook Resources

Lapbook resources is a place for me to sort all the sites that I love to use in lapbooking. Even though I made this lens mostly for myself, feel free to use the resources here. I hope you find them useful. Not sure what a lapbook is??? Then check out...

Science Theme Lapbooking Lenses 

Space Lapbook

Take advantage of a child's natural fascination with outer space and space travel with this science unit study!  What child doesn't like to pretend he's an astronaut, flying a spaceship to a distant planet or yet to be discovered galaxy? Channel...

Chemistry Lapbook

Finally we are studying chemistry for homeschool science! This year is going to be really fun! We will study the elements, learn about subatomic particles, read biographies of famous chemists, and the best part -- make lots of messy experiments! Besi...

Physics Lapbook

Think physics is only for college geeks? Think again! Physics is a fascinating facet of science that is especially relevant to children -- pushing and pulling, falling and leaping are all components of this science. Even elementary students can benef...

Rainforest Lapbook

The tropical rainforest is a fascinating topic for a homeschool unit study! Just the botany and zoology alone could take weeks to cover. There are also the history of the rainforest, the indigenous peoples of the rainforest, and the economy of the ra...

Human Body Lapbook

We all have one! We use it every moment of every day-- your incredible human body! What a personal and relevant topic of study for any child! For the younger students, your study may focus primarily on anatomy, so you will explore the body's organs...

Around the World with Animal Lapbooks

If you love lapbooking, and your child loves animals, you have come to the right spot!  I have cataloged all the Animal lapbooks I can find according to Biome.  This gives each animal you study a place in its world, and increases the child&...

How to Create an Animal Lapbook

Planning your own lapbook is quite do-able because of the wealth of free and instant resources available on the Internet. This lens will point you in the right directions for a free DIY animal lapbook. Once you understand the process, you can use the...

Penguin Lapbook

The penguin makes a great unit study and topic for a lapbook. There is the biology involved in the study of the animal itself. You can also add the earth science and geography of the penguin's habitat.  Then there are great living books about pe...

Social Studies Theme Lapbooking Lenses 

Ancient Egypt Lapbook

Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating of world cultures! What child isn't intrigued with mummies, pyramids, and the complicated religion of this ancient civilization? Create an interdisciplinary study by including subjects besides just histor...

President Barack Obama Lapbook

Celebrate President's Day or Black History Month (or both!) with a study of our current president -- Barack Obama! Read about our 44th president and make a lapbook to record what you learn.

Hawaii: A Homeschool Unit Study

The Hawaiian Islands combine incredible biological diversity with spectacular natural beauty. These archipelagoes include a rich cultural history. From the mountains to the sea, Hawai'i offers diverse learning experiences. Enjoy a full range of habit...

Iditarod Lapbook

Learn about the Iditarod by making a lapbook with your children about it. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your...

Gigi's Troop to Troop Lapbook

This lens is written along with my daughter. She was working on a Troop-to-Troop badge. Her leader gave a list of requirements. The Troop to Troop patch is a chance to learn more about military service and history. The number of activities needed to...

Western Expansion

Travel back in time to the western frontier of the United States with us to learn about the brave men and women who traveled the hard trails to make the west their new home! Why would they move far from their families and homes, push through the unk...

Lewis & Clark Expedition

The Lewis & Clark Expedition ~ how exciting! Doesn't it send tickles down your spine? A journey on the way across a broad new land! Who knows what they will see, who they will meet, what dangers await, which obstacles they may come across? The...

The French Revolution

A series of revolutions have occured throughout the world during all of history. Groups of people seeing things differently have unfortunately ended in too much bloodshed. The French Revolutions is one of these wars that took a toll on many people ~...

Constitution Lapbook

As young future American voters, children need to learn about forms of government, laws, and choices we can make in America. The following is a unit my children and I studied this spring to help them make wise decisions in the coming years.

The United States Flag

"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in ma...

MLK Jr. Lapbook

Here is a lapbook to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., a great American leader. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up real soon. Help your child learn more about this awesome American. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative...

Arts & Misc. Theme Lapbooking Lenses 

Classical Music Lapbook

Music is one of those topics that we homeschool moms know we should teach our children. But whether it's because of our own lack of knowledge, a tight homeschool budget, or just a crowded schedule, music study often gets pushed to the back burner. Th...

Overture from the Nutcracker Ballet

Let's use our imaginations! I want you to think of the holidays ~ see the beautiful decorations, smell the fresh cut pine, feel the busy shoppers bustling around, taste the warm baked cookies, and hear the sweet music everywhere. W...

Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet

Welcome to a marvelous Christmas celebration ~ a holiday party with music, dancing, loved ones, tradition, an unforgetable story, and magical presents that make dreams come true! The annual Nutcracker Ballet is an internation...

Patriotic Music Lesson

A country's music can tell you much about the country. Music can shape one's emotions, sense of nationalism, and give a feeling of pride of one's home. Our leaders and other countries share national anthems and other patriotic music in diplomatic eve...

Sewing Lapbook

Learn what you need to know to begin sewing (and a little about the history of sewing) as you create a sewing lapbook. A sewing lapbook is a great place to store all those facts you may need to refer back to while practicing your sewing skills. It is...

Orchestra Lapbook Unit

The grand sounds of a symphony orchestra ~ especially a live one ~are so beautiful! Come find orchestra websites, teaching resources, kid's music sites, worksheets, flash cards, lapbooks and other materials, games, videos, cds, and adventures for mus...

Orchestra: The String Family Lapbook Unit

Super, spectacular symphonic string instruments! Soothingly sing along with the slow, slippery, sliding bow strokes or skip along with the spirited, sparkling, staccato sounds of strings! Beautiful string instruments have existed far back in human h...

Orchestra: The Percussion Family Lapbook Unit

The percussion family ~ what a broad range of instruments! Percussion instruments are used in every style of music from classical, rock, folk, jazz, ... to any kind! Percussion music may be very simple that even the youngest child can play to extrem...

Orchestra: Woodwind Family Lapbook Unit

Wonderful wild whistling woodwinds winding through the wind! Come find out more about them!

Orchestra: Brass Family Lapbook Unit

Imagine ... a breezy, beautiful day below the big blue sky ... a brass band begins to step to the bold beat of the bass drum. The sun brightly bounces off the bells of the beaming brass instruments ... then you hear it, the boisterous, blowing of th...

Holiday and Seasonal Lapbooking Lenses 

Thanksgiving Lapbook

Take a break from your regular homeschool curriculum and have a Thanksgiving unit study! History, culture, and food all come together in this topic! Create a lapbook to record what you learn. This page will direct you to great books to read and free...

Valentine's Day Lapbook

Here is a Valentine's Day lapbook. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your children's work. Not sure what a lapboo...

St. Patrick's Day Lapbook

Here is a St. Patrick's Day lapbook. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your children's work. Not sure what a lapb...

President's Day Lapbook

Here is a President's Day Lapbook. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your children's work. Not sure what a lapboo...

Christmas Lapbook

A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your children's work. This holiday season, why not do a Christmas lapbook w...

Winter Lapbook

Winter is a fascinating time of year. Lots and be learned about it. Why not make a lapbook to showcase that learning!

Groundhog Day Lapbook

Here is a Groundhog Day lapbook. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your children's work. Not sure what a lapbook...

Mardi Gras Lapbook

Here is a lapbook about Mardi Gras. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your children's work. Not sure what a lapbo...

Chinese New Year Lapbook

Here is lapbook for Chinese New Year. A lapbook is a wonderful way to educate. A lapbook is creative and it helps with retention of the information that is being learned. It also provides a lovely keepsake of your children's work. Not sure what a lap...

Examples of Lapbooking Lenses 

Lapbook Video Showcase

Wouldn't it be great if another homeschooling mom could come over with a lapbook in hand and simply show you what lapbooking is all about? If she could let you see an actual lapbook and explain how it works, how it's made, and what her children lear...

Lilliput Station Adventures

Learning is a very exciting thing, but most methods of education quickly remove this excitement. Here at Lilliput Station, we believe that children (and adults) learn best by experience. Some of these experiences will happen naturally, others must be...

The Best Lapbooking Blogs

Want a regular supply of lapbooking inspriation? Subscribe to the feeds of the best lapbooking blogs. Each day you'll see some brilliant ideas and lots of links to explore.

Lenses With Both Notebooking and Lapbooking 

Combining Lapbooks and Notebooks

I love to create lapbooks and use notebooking forms in our homeschool. Since we study history chronologically, I wanted to find a way to combine them both together. I came up with the LapNotebook. I have been working on this idea for quite some time,...

United States Unit Study

Have you always wanted to visit exciting and exotic places, but haven't had the time or money? Well, now you can take that trip, without ever leaving your home! Hop on board the Lilliput Express as we go adventuring in the United States. Bring along...

Viva la Mexico

Have you always wanted to visit exciting and exotic places, but haven't had the time or money? Well, now you can take that trip, without ever leaving your home! Hop on board the Lilliput Express as we go adventuring in Mexico. Bring along your camera...

Japan Unit Study

Have you always wanted to visit exciting and exotic places, but haven't had the time or money? Well, now you can take that trip, without ever leaving your home! Hop on board the Lilliput Express as we go adventuring in Japan. Bring along your camera;...

Lapbooking Versus Notebooking

Lapbooking and notebooking are both popular among homeschoolers now. I will take you through some basic characteristics of each and hopefully answer these questions: What are these learning methods? How are they similar? How are they different? Whic...

Lenses Which Mention Notebooking or Lapbooking 

Rocks

They're all around us and, at first glance, they may seem pretty boring. But take a closer look and you'll see that there's a lot more to rocks than you might have thought. First of all, the planet we are living on is one giant rock. The Earth's out...

Storytime For Little Squids

Come in, sit down, and join us for storytime. We'll do a few crafts and have some refreshments. You might even learn a thing or two. But don't worry, you'll be having so much fun that you probably won't even notice.

Middle Age Freebies

We are currently doing a unit study on the Middle Ages that will last all year long. In our research we have already gathered a ton of links and we needing a place to put them that we could add a brief description on. It never fails that just when yo...

Beginning to Read

Mrs. Wishy Washy and The Big Bad Pig are inviting you all beginning readers to join them in the adventure of learning to read. Learn how to make Word Walls, Literacy Bags, activities for Center Time and lots, lots, more. You will find suggested begi...

Knowledge Homestead

"It takes a village to raise a child. I've seen the village, and I don't want it raising my child." Do you know what your child is being taught (or NOT being taught) in the institutional school setting? The cookie cutter approach to learning doesn't...

A Christmas Carol Unit Study

The classic story "A Christmas Carol" ~ a famous author, Charles Dickens ~ creative animation genius, Walt Disney Productions ~ &  one uniquely facinating actor, Jim Carrey ~ what else can I say!? With the new Disney...

Pioneers & the Oregon Trail

Imagine going back in time to visit the pioneeers traveling across the country. So many exciting adventures they must have had! Let's step into their world and learn about what everyday life was like during the 19th century. You will find lessons...

United States in the 1800's

So many things can happen during a short century of history! Exciting people interacting positively and negatively upon each other ~ changes in governments and geographic borders ~ artists, musicians, authors, and architects recording their time and...

Community Helpers ~ Labor Day

Lesson Ideas & Resources for Teaching about Labor Day, Community Helpers, & Neighborhoods

Christmas Literature by Illustrator - Author Jan Brett

One of my most favorite illustrators and authors of children's books is Jan Brett. Her illustrations are amazingly beautiful! The traditional and original stories she illustrates have all become favorites to many children. Mrs. Brett has a very c...