I have been asked by several people to show them photos of how to make lapbooks. The folders themselves. They are like me, they need a visual. I am VERY visual, so I understand. Here is my attempt to help spread the knowledge of lapbooking....

To be clear: Lapbooking is simply "Scrapbooking what you learn".
Now "HOW" you go about doing that is just as varied as scrapbooking and is only limited by your imagination!

Here is how "WE" do it . . . .

First, buy some file folders.
I got a pack of 100 at Walmart for about $5.
And having 100, means you have enough to cannibalize for extensions. (More on that, later...)
Here is what my box looks like:


Some people buy colored folders, or printed folders, to add tot he drama of whatever their lapbook theme is about. Your imagination is your only limit!

Now, open the box and grab one of those file folders.
Note that it has two sides and a fold down the center of it:

Lay the folder flat on a table. like so....

Now hold one side of file folder with left hand, and one side with right hand. FOLD the two sides in towards the middle so that they MEET at the ORIGINAL middle FOLD CREASE.
Like so... (I had to hold the camera with one hand, sorry.....)

Then UNfold the folder.
It should look like this.....


Then you can paint it, glue things to it, staple things to it, fold it in other creative ways, add an extension on to it and more!

An extension, simply means either another folder stapled or glued to the original (Side to side) or perhaps it could also mean to cut one file folder in half and tape or staple that flat part to the top or bottom of the original lapbook to create a FLAP.

This next photo shows a flap (Extension) opened.
It is attached at the top and folds down allowing for more surface area to which you can add more stuff....


Here is one that we just recently worked on, to give you an idea of what a basic lapbook can look like . . .
You should see three "Creation" lapbooks.


We got the items to make the lapbook, mostly from a paid for "Set" that we got from the HomeschoolEStore.com . You can find the direct item, by clicking HERE.

We also use things we find on Google or other free sites.
Remember to try GOOGLE Images for images.

We also make some of our own stuff, by using templates....
Here are some links to get you started:

Pre-made sets that you can buy:
School Express (Buy Kits)
HomeschoolEStore.com (Buy Kits)


Free Stuff:

* FREE Lapbooking Kits!
* FREE Lapbooking resources
* FREE How to make mini-books (Those cute display books found in lapbooks)
* FREE Scrapbooking / Lapbooking images (Great for backgrounds and minibooks!)
* FREE Paper Toys (3-D Buildings and such for pop ups books)

* A GREAT "HOW TO" Webpage!
* Another great "How-To" web page!
* A You-Tube Video of how one family lapbooks

* Mini-Offices (Lapbooks with a collection of a students cheat sheets for reference)
Here is a photo of it.....

Have F-U-N!