I thought this was a cool article and they give permission for reprint as long as we give credit, so here it is:

Do’s & Don’t for Lapbooking Success

By Katie Kubesh

How do you do lapbooks? Are there any things you should and should not do? Hmmm.. this is a question I am asked frequently. I usually tell people the fun thing about lapbooks is that it allows you and your student to be creative – there really are no do’s and don’ts. Then I started thinking… maybe there are. Maybe, just maybe, we get so caught up in the do’s and don’ts and the process of lapbooking that we forget the true purpose of lapbooking. Maybe if we just follow a few simple “rules” we can truly focus on the topic of study and the hands-on fun!

Here are some Do’s & Don’ts for Lapbooking Success:

1. DO focus on the lapbook as a tool for learning. Lapbooking is not what your student is studying. Your student is studying astronomy, geography, history, etc. The lapbook is simply a tool to help your student do that.

2. DON’T let the planning and process of making a lapbook make you lose sight of your educational goals.

3. DO allow your student to take ownership and express his or her creativity.

4. DON”T focus on following your plans to a “T”.

5. DO guide your student as he or she completes the lapbook.

6. DON’T wear yourself out trying to plan the entire process.

7. DO focus on the process of learning and being creative.

8. DON’T focus on making the finished project look perfect.

9. DO encourage your student to have fun and try new things.

10. DON’T force or insist your child complete a lapbook.

11. DO try the Quarterly freebie at In the Hands of a Child if you are a 1st time lapbooker (or a veteran). Even if you are not planning to study that topic right away, look it over for ideas or save it for the time when you might decide to study that topic.

12. DO, DO, DO put laughter and learning together in the hands of your child!

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child. Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect. They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats. Please visit their website.