Space Lapbook

Space Lapbook Photos

The photos below are of my own daughter's space lapbook.

Space Lapbook Cover by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Rocket Book one flap open by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Animals in space tri-fold by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Left side mini-books by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Inside The Way Planets Travel by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Inside Space Shuttle book by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Our Solar System book by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Inside Our Solar System by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Another page of Our Solar System by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Phases of Moon -- flap book by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Satellites mini-book by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Types of Galaxies by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Types of Galaxies open -- accordion book by jimmiehomeschoolmom

curated content from Flickr

Space Related Topics

Space is a broad topic that offers an abundance of possible mini-book subjects. You may want your lapbook to cover a specific tangent, or you may want a broad overview. Consider these topics as you plan.

Our solar system -- the sun, planets, and moons
Stars
Galaxies
Qualities of outer space
Space travel
Living in Space
Comets, meteors, meteorites
Satelites
Animals in space
History of space travel (timeline) and famous expeditions
Spacecraft

Astronomy Printables

for minibooks

These printables all deal with astronomy -- the science of heavenly bodies. Many of them will require a bit of adaptation but can easily be used to create minibooks. Some of them are basically print and go! Be sure to scroll down to the additional space exploration printables. There are some great ones!

Arty Astronaut Teacher Guide (PDF): This is a well designed reproducible of several pages. Besides covering the solar system, it also includes a crossword and a word search puzzle.
Live and Learn Press Astronomy Lapbook: Although this free lapbook kit was designed to accompany Apologia's Astronomy curriculum, it is general enough to be easily used with any study of space. This is a valuable printable!
J Feliciano's Page at Homeschool Launch: Jessica used to have a Yahoo Group called Notebooking2Learn where she shared homemade lapbooking pdf templates for Apologia's Exploring Creation With Astronomy. She has closed that Yahoo group and now has those same files stored at HS Launch.
Our Very Own Star: The Sun: This is actually a book! Print it in small format for a pre-made minibook, or use the graphics for your own book.
Planets Printable: This is my favorite planets printable! Print it onto sticker paper, color the planets, cut them out, and affix them onto orbit paths that you create.
Enchanted Learning: This site is a standby for printables.
Homeschool Share's Space Theme: Loads of free printable mini books here! A broad selection dealing with planets, the sun, moon, and stars, and other space themes.
Moon Phases Wheel Book: If you find the graphic of the wizard on the cover to be distracting, just cover it up with your own more appropriate image that suits the scientific nature of this resource.
Phases of the Moon: These cards would be great for a lapbook. Simply make a pocket and stick them in.
Constellations of the Zodiac: Don't let the mention of zodiac fool you. This resource is not about horoscopes. It's purely scientific. These strips can be cut out and stapled for an instant minibook.
Galaxies: There are two great, full color resources here. Look for links to Galaxy Trading Cards as well as the Classroom Activity. Make a minibook with the four shapes of galaxies.
Solar System Trading Cards: Another full color resource! Just print and go.
Planet Roll Call: A quality reproducible from Scholastic.
Maria's Comet Lapbook: This FREE unit study is complete with minibook printables! The ideas revolve around a novel -- Maria's Comet, about a girl who dreams of being an astronomer who discovers a comet.
Our Solar System: I really like page 3 of this PDF -- there's a color column of squares, each with a planet. These would make great graphics for a minibook or a nice strip for a mini office. Browse through more lesson plans and reproducibles by this author at Discover Space.
Space Glossary: Cut out the rectangles and let your children match the definitions with the words: planet, moon, star, universe, galaxy, satellite, etc.
Constellation Patterns: This is a JPG image, ready to print and cut out -- 16 constellation patterns in little circles, as if you're seeing them through a telescope.
Sky Map: A free PDF sky map and star chart.
Solar System Minibook Templates: This PDF is full of information and a few templates.
Galaxies Mobile: The PDF printable for this Mobile craft could easily be modified into a minibook with the various shapes of galaxies.
Star Finder Papercraft: Something like a cootie catcher for nighttime star study! This would make a really fun minibook to slip into a pocket.
Solar System Preschool (and Beyond) Pack at 1+1+1=1 Blog: For ages 4-8, this free printable includes several activities and minibook templates
Sample Pages of Apologia Astronomy Notebooking: This sample is a mix of coloring pages, copywork, notebooking pages, and worksheets.

Space Encyclopedia

You will probably want at least one reference book to guide your study of space.

First Space Encyclopedia (DK First Reference)

by: DK Publishing

Amazon Price: $11.04 (as of 02/14/2012)

This reference book introduces the universe, visiting all the planets of our solar system and their moons, as well as our Sun and other stars, black holes, asteroids, comets, and other galaxies.

Links to Space Lapbooks

For more photos of space lapbooks, visit these links.

Simply Lapbooks -- Solar System Lapbook: This post not only has great pictures but also has loads of links for where she found a lot of free online printables! A real treasure!
Astronomy Lapbooks: This site has large, clear photographs and links to more details about how the lapbook was made. This is a great resource!
Space and Flight Lapbook: This webpage features a very comprehensive lapbook including not only space but also flight.
Just Call Me Jamin's Astronomy Lapbook: This lapbook was made mainly from a bought set from Knowledge Box Central.
Solar System Pocket/Lapbook: Fifteen images of a very creative lapbook which incorporates some elements "pockets" -- storing things in folder pockets.
Solar System Lapbook: The Bonny Blue House offers a few images of their solar system lapbook.
Hearts for His Glory Blog: You've got to see the cover of this space lapbook! The astronauts' faces are the children! Very cute. What a great idea to personalize the study.
Space Travel Lapbook: This lapbook is too cute! It's in the shape of a rocket. The blogger even shares a free template so you can make it yourself. There's also a template for a sequencing pocket.
Space Lapbook at Just Us: Not only do you get photographs of the completed lapbook but you also get links to the resources she used to make it.
Our Homeschool Solar System Lapbook Project: Lots of photographs to give you ideas for your own space lapbook.

Free Space Related Coloring Pages

mars exploration Coloring pages are so versatile! They can be used for the cover of the lapbook. Or print them small for minibook pages. The individual graphics can also be cut off of the pages for children who prefer not to draw.

A Solar System Coloring Book: A cover page, a page for the sun, each planet, and even comets and asteroids! Each page has a small picture and informational text.
Space Exploration Coloring Pages: From space stations to astronauts! Many choices are here -- all detailed, realistic images.
Edupics Space Exploration: A variety of images -- both fanciful and realistic.
Funschool's Space Pages: A small selection of pages -- planets, things to use in outer space, and an astronaut.

Space Reproducibiles

Each of these resources is a reproducible book that can easily be used in lapbooking.

Listen and Learn about Space

audio and audiovisual resources

These links are especially good for your auditory learners!

Astronomy Songs: You can listen to these educational songs for free online (but you can't download them). These are really useful for helping children memorize facts in a fun way. Song titles include Milky Way Ballad, Why Do the Stars Twinkle, Planet Minuet, and many more!
NASA's Space Place Podcasts: Podcasts answer questions such as
Why do the planets orbit the sun?
Could you fly through a gas planet?
Why are stars different sizes?
These would be best for intermediate students.
Apple Quick Time Movies -- Space: These well done, educational Quick Time movies are divided into three age ranges (elementary, middle school, and high school). Each video has an accompanying PDF lesson plan.
Phases of the Moon Animation: This quality animation clearly shows how the orbit of the moon causes the various phases -- from full moon to crescent.

Outer Space Graphics and Images

for your minibooks

The Space Place's Image Gallery: Categories include the Solar System; Earth; Earth's Moon; Astronauts; Stars, Galaxies, and Nebulae; and Rockets, Space Shuttles, International Space Station, Rovers.
Classroom Clipart -- Space: Free Clip Art, Illustrations and Photographs all dealing with space.
Educational Technology Clearninghouse: Old fashioned, black and white images of astronomy. These are free for educational use.

Space Exploration and Travel

One of the most exciting aspects of a space unit study is how man has explored the solar system and the possibility of future exploration! Read some of these titles to learn more about blasting into space and living in space.

Space Shuttle Lapbook

Get the printables at Lapbook Lessons.

Space Shuttle Lapbook from Lapbook Lessons: by mcclintick02 | video info

5 ratings | 6,018 views

curated content from YouTube

Space Exploration Printables

These printables are all easily adaptable for making minibooks.

3... 2... 1... Liftoff! Educator Guide: This PDF from NASA has lots of lesson ideas. But the part you want is the graphics section on pages 81-96. There are some GREAT printables: coloring pages, space shuttle parts, a rocket pattern (a super shape book template), flashcard or gamecard templates, shuttle sequence cards, and is a nice diagram of a rocket from launch to orbit. This is an excellent resource you don't want to miss if your study of space includes rockets and space shuttles!
Space Explorers Lapbook Based on Magic School Bus Chapter Book: This fabulous, full color PDF had lots of printable minibooks to go along with a study of the Magic School Bus Space Explorers book.
Space Day Tool Kit: This teacher's resource (in both Word and PDF) from Lockheed Martin has lesson plans for flight and space related studies. There are reproducible student pages, a timeline of astronomy, and some attractive graphics.
Space Capsule Trifold Template: This is a template I designed. Fill it with facts about space travel. We wrote about animals in space!
Topex/Poseidon Satellite Printables: If you're looking for printables about satellites, this is the link for you -- many options for coloring sheets and puzzles.
Create a Space Habitat: Printables to create a space habitat: astronaut suits, control panels, equipment racks, viewport, and airlock.
Rocket Trifold Minibook Template: This is an adorable free printable from Homeschool Share!
Fact Files -- Parts of a Spaceship: Look for link #22. This is a very attractive PDF of a youthful astronaut wearing a spacesuit with labeled parts.
Space Station Curriculum (Large file): Scroll to the very bottom of the page for the link.

Space Lapbook Extras

Have a little fun with puzzles, paperdolls, board games, and more.

Making Friends Astronaut Page: These cute astronaut clothes can be printed in color or black and white. Dolls are also free to print!
Funschool Space Word Puzzles: Very attractive PDF word puzzles! (Be sure to go on to page 2 for more options.)
Space Word Search: Over thirty words from Apollo to Venus in a no frills wordsearch.
Simpler Space Word Search: A smaller, simpler version for younger students.
Fall Into a Black Hole Board Game: Print out these files from NASA in color or black and white to make your own educational board game.
Solar System Poetry Prompts: Learn about alliteration, simile, and acrostics on these nice handouts with a solar system theme.

Solar System Models

Reinforce the theme and decorate with flair by hanging these planets from your ceiling!

Educational Insights Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System

Amazon Price: $6.39 (as of 02/14/2012)

Notebooking Pages and Space Themed Stationery

These printables can be used for copywork or notebooking. If you print the pages in a small format, they can be bound together as a minibook!

Notebooking Pages Constellations Freebie: Look for the free PDF of Free Astronomy Notebooking Pages called --Basic Pages with Constellation Pages. This is an attractive notebooking set with both lines and room to draw.

And on the geography page (look all the way at the bottom) there is a set of solar system (list) notebooking pages.
Jeannie Fulbright's Notebooking Pages: These are made to accompany Apologia Science curriculum, but they are general enough that you can use them with any study of space. Click on the astronomy icons. The large one is a link to pages with more lines for proficient writers, and the smaller links is for children not quite as adept at writing.

These are basic notebooking pages with headings. These are great for a child who likes to draw the pictures himself.
Thematic Writing Paper -- Astronomy: Look for the Astronomy paper. There is a thick lined and a thin lined version. These are very attractive pages!
Solar System Printable Paper: Many lined journal pages with a full color graphic of each planet, a satellite, an astronomer, and more.
Sun Notebooking Page: This printable PDF has primary lines.

Space Activities

to complement your space lapbook

Spice up your unit study with some hands-on learning or interactive play!

How Big is the Solar System?: Recreate a model of the solar system with these directions. This is an excellent way to give students a concrete grasp of the vastness of space.
Build a Space Station: This PDF gives you templates for making a paper model of a space station.
Lunar Lander Papercraft: This is an advanced papercraft for an older child.
Solar System in Motion Song: This PDF includes a song explaining the constant motion of heavenly bodies.