book report lapbook template

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Lapbooking: How to Lapbook + Over 90 Free Lapbook Printables

Published: July 19, 2020

Contributor: Sara Dennis

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Have you ever thought about sitting down and creating lapbooks with your kids, but thought it would be too difficult? Nothing is further from the truth! Lapbooks are super easy to make work beautiful with unit studies and are a great way to record everything kids have learned about a subject. So today I’m sharing with you a quick guide to lapbooking. You’ll learn how to make a lapbook, and you’ll find over 90 free lapbook printables for you to use in your homeschool! Plus, download free lapbook templates for DIY lapbooking at the bottom of this post. 

What is a Lapbook?

In order to make a lapbook, kids create small activity books, fold paper, and answer questions to create their books. Then all the activity books are gathered and glued onto manila folders which fit on a child’s lap. Hence the name lapbook.

They’re so easy that even non-crafty moms can make them. All you need are some manila folders, templates, colored pencils or crayons, scissors, and glue.

Lapbooks are Perfect for Visual Learners

Lapbooks are great if you have a visual learner. If your child enjoys creating things like my hands-on, artsy daughter – they will thrive with lapbooking. She loves working with her hands, drawing, cutting, gluing, crafting – all of it. And she really is a visual learner, so lapbooks are the perfect addition to her learning!

Lapbooks are a great way to help children visually see the layout of a book, learn more about an animal, country, and more.

If you have a visual learner like mine, I’m sure they will love putting together lapbooks. And the best part is you can literally make a lapbook for any subject, book, or topic. And all it really takes is some file folders, a printer, scissors, glue, and a pencil.

How to Make a Lapbook

All you need are some templates you can use to create your own, or even some you can type in for multiple kids (to save for the future). But if you’re new to lapbooking, like me, you can find a very helpful series here on Homeschool Share. We have gathered a huge list for you to get started.

All you need to do is download and print the templates and have a pile of manila folders for the children to use. Your children will need colored pencils or crayons, scissors, and glue. Add in a few books so the kids can do some research to answer the questions and you’re good to go.

Your kids will have fun making their lapbooks and showing the books off to grandparents.

90+ Free Lapbook Printables

Here are a bunch of lapbooking printables on many different topics to help you teach your kids. You’ll find lapbooks on language arts, math, history, geography, and more. Your kids will have a great time as they study these topics and create their lapbooks.

Language Arts Lapbooks

Language arts lapbooks are a fun way to teach your children specific skills such as how library catalogs work, parts of speech, or capitalization rules.

Library Skills Lapbook – Kids create their own lapbook as they learn about the history of libraries, the Dewey Decimal System, library catalogs, and more.

Parts of Speech Lapbook – This free lapbook is a creative way for younger kids to learn about the parts of speech.

Poetry for Children Lapbook – This free poetry book is the perfect way for your kids to learn about many different concepts while studying poetry. There are 20 different little booklets for the kids to make.

Writer’s Workshop Helper – This Writer’s Workshop Helper is a great way for younger kids to work on writing. All you need to create this lapbook are some file folders and colored paper to print on.

Phonics Lapbooks – This lapbook has a Montessori twist which allows you to use the lapbook in different ways.

Short and Long Vowels Lapbook – If your child is studying short and long vowels, this is the perfect lapbook for you to make.

Poetry Lapbook – This unit study uses The Random House Book of Poetry as a launching point for the activities and booklets kids make.

Literature Lapbooks

These literature lapbooks can take the place of a book report. They’re also a wonderful way to expand your study of a book into a complete unit study as you look at the culture, geography, and history behind the book. Some literature lapbooks even include units about math and science topics.

Little House on the Prairie Lapbooks

Complete Little House on the Prairie Series Lapbook Set – If you’re reading through the Little House on the Prairie series with your kids, then you need these free lapbooks.

Little House: The First Four Years Story Study Lapbook – This lapbook is a great way to do a study on the book The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Little House on the Prairie Story Study Lapbook – This lapbook walks you through the events in the book Little House on the Prairie. You’ll also find vocabulary words to study such as having the kids look up what a ford is.

Little House in the Big Woods Lapbook – This lapbook walks through The Little House in the Big Woods chapter by chapter.

Little House: These Happy Golden Years Lapbook – If you’re reading These Happy Golden Years , then you’ll want this lapbook to go with your study.

By the Shores of Silver Lake Story Study Lapbook – This is another great lapbook unit to use if you’re reading through the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Little Town on the Prairie Lapbook – This lapbook uses basic materials to cover the events of the book Little Town on the Prairie.

The Long Winter Story Study Lapbook – A lot happened in the book The Long Winter. This lapbook is a great way to cover the events with your kids.

Farmer Boy Lapbook – This is a free literature unit study on the book Farmer Boy.

Chronicles of Narnia Lapbooks

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Story Study Lapbook – This lapbook has you creating mini books for each chapter as you read through the book.

The Magician’s Nephew Story Study Lapbook – You will also create mini books for each chapter of The Magician’s Nephew as you read through the book.

The Horse and His Boy Story Study Lapbook – The Horse and His Boy Lapbook comes as an easy-to-print pdf file for you to use.

More Literature Lapbooks

Tale of Peter Rabbit Lapbook – If you’re reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit with your kids, then this is a great resource for your studies.

Little Bear Literature Lapbook – This is a simple lapbook that covers A Kiss for Little Bear.

The Sorely Trying Day Literature Lapbook – Have you or your kids ever had a trying day? Then you’ll love this lapbook that’s meant to be completed over 4 or 5 days as you read and reread The Sorely Trying Day.

10+ Aesop’s Fables Lapbooks – Aesop’s Fables are a favorite topic in my house. This lapbook helps you teach your kids about Aesop and his fables as you create interactive notebooks from manila folders.

Flat Stanley Lapbook – This Flat Stanley lapbook is a fun unit of study for kids.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel – These lapbook templates are great study tools as you work through Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel . You’ll find studies on science, geography, and language arts to create flap books with your kids.

Dragons Love Tacos Lapbook – This lapbook on Dragons Love Tacos is an 8-page pdf for younger kids.

The Day the Crayons Quit – The Day the Crayons Quit is a great first lapbook for you and your kids to make.

Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books Lapbook – If you’re reading Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books in your home school, then this is a great lapbook for you to use. It doesn’t just cover Lincoln’s life, but also includes language arts and social studies lessons.

The Day of Ahmed’s Secret – The Day of Ahmed’s Secret is a fun unit study to complete with your kids. The interactive notebooks they make will be loved for years.

Faraway Home Lapbook – The Faraway Home lapbook includes lessons on Ethiopia, history, and science.

Free Book Report Lapbook Template (link is in the first paragraph) – Sometimes you don’t want to have to cover a specific book. Instead, this free lapbook template gives you the study tools you need to create a lapbook about any book your child is reading.

Science Lapbooks

Science lapbooks are a great way to teach your children at grade level. There’s no wrong way to complete the topics. Just grab your favorite resources, do some research, and write down what you’ve learned.

Rabbit Lapbook – Do you have a child interested in rabbits? Then you’ll love the free templates that walk you through creating a lapbook about rabbits.

North American Robin Lapbook – This is another specific topic lapbook kids love. Your kids will learn all about the life cycle, habitat, and geography of the North American Robin.

Botany Lapbook – The Botany lapbook includes flap books you can create about various botany topics.

Ants Unit Study and Lapbook – If your child is looking to study a particular topic like ants, then this is the unit study and lapbook for you. The lessons include fascinating topics and activities such as creating a small booklet about the types of ants.

Animal Classification Lapbook – Creating this animal classification lapbook from Homeschool Share is a great way to study animal classification with your kids.

Free Shark Lapbook – Get the study tools you need for a unit study about sharks. You’ll use a manila folder to create various booklets about sharks’ anatomy, diet, senses, and more.

Free Spider Lapbook – This spider lapbook is a great resource for learning all about spiders with your children.

Bears Lapbook – Do you have a kid who loves bears? Then they’ll love this lapbook project pack that covers bears from all over the world.

Dolphin Unit Study & Lapbook – Learn fascinating facts about dolphins with your kids. Find out if dolphins are whales, how dolphins behave, and what is a dolphin pad. This planning guide will walk you through the unit study with your kids.

Frog Unit Study and Lapbook Printables – This unit of study covers frogs. All you’ll need to complete it are some basic materials like glue sticks, a manila folder, and the lapbook templates.

Elephants Animal Study and Lapbook – Study elephants with this fun lapbook project pack. Learn where elephants live, what they eat, and how they use their trunks.

Desert Animals Unit Study and Lapbook – This lapbook about desert animals is a fun one to make with your children. Kids will learn a little bit about several different animals such as coyotes, roadrunners, scorpions, and rattlesnakes.

Giant Panda Lapbook – Learn about giant pandas while you create this lapbook for kids.

Butterfly Lapbook – If you’re studying butterflies then you and your children will love completing this lapbook about butterflies.

Periodic Table Lapbook – If you have a kid studying chemistry, then this lapbook is perfect for your kid. They’ll learn about the different elements, complete experiments, and record the information.

Space Lapbook – Learn all about stars, comets, and satellites with this interactive space lapbook.

Chicken Lapbook – This chicken lapbook is a great lapbook for young kids doing lapbooks for the first time. They’ll learn all about eggs, chicken breeds, and the lifespan of a chicken.

Free Human Body Lapbook and Unit Study – This fun lapbook and unit study is a great way to learn all about the senses, organs, and systems of the human body.

History Lapbooks

If you’re looking for study tools to help your children learn about history, then lapbooks are what you need. These lapbooks will walk you through specific topics in history such as the Pony Express, the Civil War, and Ancient Egypt.

Pony Express Lapbook – The Pony Express is a popular subject in American history, especially with kids. So, download this lapbook to learn all about the Pony Express.

United States Flag Lapbook – Have you wanted to learn about the United States flag? Then this is the lapbook for you!

U.S. Constitution Lapbook – The U.S. Constitution lapbook is a great unit study to complete with kids of all ages. You’ll learn about the framers of the constitution, the Bill of Rights, amendments, and more.

Ancient Egypt Lapbook – This lapbook on Ancient Egypt is a 16-page pdf download filled with fun mini-books to complete. Plus, the lapbook folds into a 3D pyramid-shaped folder!

Free Ancient China Lapbook – This lapbook allows you to study fun facts about Ancient China such as the different dynasties and all about the terracotta soldiers.

Benjamin Franklin Lapbook – If you’re studying Benjamin Franklin then you need this lapbook that walks you through the life of this great man.

Civil War Lapbook – This Civil War lapbook contains projects for your kids to create, information about the war, and a timeline for the kids to complete.

Boston Tea Party Lapbook – The Boston Tea Party Lapbook is a great addition to your study of the American Revolution. Plus, it’s created for kids from grades 3 to grade 8.

Amelia Earhart Lapbook – Learn all about Amelia Earhart’s life with this fun lapbook. You’ll study her youth, her jobs, as well as her first flight across the Atlantic.

Parliamentary Procedure Lapbook – Do your kids need to know about the parliamentary procedure? Then this is the lapbook for you! Kids will learn about Robert’s Rules of Order and how to use them in a meeting.

Robin Hood Unit Study and Lapbook Printables – Robin Hood is a fun topic for kids to study in history. With this lapbook you’ll learn about the legend of Robin Hood, the history behind him, as well as the science of surviving in a forest.

Geography Lapbooks

Geography lapbooks are a great way to learn about the geography of the world. Kids can write down what they’ve learned about various continents, countries, and states. Here are a few lapbooks to get you started.

United States Lapbook – This geography lapbook walks you through the geography of the entire United States. You’ll learn not only where the states are located but also about the state capitols, flowers, and birds.

Brazil Country Lapbook – This is a great lapbook with the main topic being Brazil. You and your kids will study sports and entertainment, the population, animals, and more.

Morocco Country Lapbook – Learn about the country of Morocco when you complete this fun lapbook.

Ghana Unit & Lapbook – Curious about Ghana? Then download this lapbook to find out about the religion, food, and government of Ghana.

Kenya Country Lapbook – This lapbook comes with all the templates you need to learn about the country of Kenya.

Australia Country Lapbook – If you have a child interested in Australia, you’ll want to grab this lapbook. You’ll learn about the time zones, animals, flags, and population as you complete the unit study.

Ecuador Country Lapbook – Ecuador is another fun country to learn about. This lapbook introduces you to the geography, cities, climate, and agriculture of the country.

Guatemala Country Lapbook – Have you ever wondered what time it is in Guatemala? This lapbook is a great way to find out! Plus you’ll learn about the currency, population, clothing, and more as you complete this unit of study.

Ireland Country Lapbook – Study the beautiful country of Ireland with this fun Ireland Country Lapbook.

Japan Country Lapbook – This lapbook includes learning information about the animals, language, and clothing of Japan along with other fun facts.

Geography Lapbook – This is a great lapbook to introduce your children to the basic terminology of geography. Kids will learn about a compass rose, longitude, latitude, continents, oceans, and more.

Any Country Lapbook Template – If you’re working through the countries of the world, this is a great lapbook to have. The basic template includes creating a map of the country, studying the flag, adding quick facts, and more.

Any State Lapbook Template – This is a basic template to study any state in the United States. Kids create various maps, draw the flag, discover what other states border it, create a quick facts list, and more.

Yellowstone National Park Lapbook – Have you wanted to study Yellowstone National Park with your kids? Then this is the lapbook for you!

Math Lapbooks

Lapbooks can also be used to help your kids’ study math. These lapbooks include interactive activities that will encourage your kids to master their multiplication facts, learn Roman numerals, and more.

Multiplication Facts Lapbook – Kids create an interactive multiplication lapbook that will help them learn their multiplication facts.

Discovering Money Lapbook – Help your young kids learn about pennies, dimes, quarters, and dollars with this interactive money lapbook.

Metric System Lapbook – This is a fun metric system lapbook for elementary kids that’s a marvelous way to learn and master the metric system.

Money Lapbook – This lapbook is for older kids. It walks them through investing in stocks, taxes, how to write checks, and more.

Roman Numerals Lapbook – Teach your kids all about Roman numerals with this fun and free lapbook. They’ll not only learn the symbols, but they’ll also learn how to count and match Roman numerals to Arabic numerals.

Shapes Lapbook – Are you studying shapes with your preschool or kindergarten-age child? Then you’ll love this Shapes Lapbook.

Other Lapbooks

The best part about lapbooks is that they can work for many different topics, not just math, history, and literature. Here are a bunch of fun lapbooks on various topics you can complete with your kids.

Free The Lion King Lapbook – If your kids love The Lion King, they’ll adore this free lapbook. You’ll study the story as well as some of the various animals seen in the movie.

Cinderella Unit and Lapbook Printables – Make a complete unit study around the story of Cinderella. It includes botany, social studies, math, and more!

Camping Lapbook – If you’re going camping this summer, then you’ll love this camping lapbook. It walks through various skills such as lighting a fire, being prepared, observing birds, and more.

Detectives Lapbook – Kids are fascinated by detectives. This lapbook is a great introduction to detectives and the work they do.

Maple Syrup Lapbook – Learn all about maple trees, tapping sap, and how to make maple syrup with this amazing lapbook.

Months of the Year Lapbook – Are you tired of endlessly reciting the months of the year with your kids? Then make this lapbook instead.

Pirates Multi-book Theme Unit  – Learn all about pirates, the Jolly Roger, and Blackbeard with this fascinating multi-book theme unit study.

Soccer Unit and Lapbook – Does your child love to play soccer? Then they’ll adore this soccer lapbook. Not only will kids learn about goalkeepers, rules, and moves, but they’ll also learn about the history of soccer.

Trains Lapbook and Printables – This train lapbook is perfect for younger children. Kids will make rhymes, learn train words that begin with T, recite Philippians 4:13, and sing train songs.

Transportation Lapbook Printables – This preschool transportation lapbook includes fun activities such as learning about shapes, colors, and the alphabet.

Weather Lapbook and Printables – Are your kids curious about the weather? Then this is the perfect lapbook for you. You’ll learn about lightning, thunder, wind words, rain words, and more.

More Free Lapbooks for Every Subject

If you are looking for more free lapbooks for every subject , Heart and Soul Homeschooling has a big list!

DIY Lapbooking Templates

Help your kids make their homeschool lessons fun and creative with these lapbooking templates. Use them inside manila folders, spiral notebooks, or on construction paper. Make colorful lapbooks by printing on colored printer paper. The possibilities are almost endless!

Instant Download: Free Lapbook Templates PDF Printables

Sara dennis.

Sara Dennis is a veteran homeschool mom of six who’s still homeschooling her two youngest kids after the older four have graduated, entered college, and moved on to adult life. She blogs at Classically Homeschooling .

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Tools for the homeschool handy-mom.

100 Editable Lapbook Templates {Free}

Lapbook Templates are free foldables that can easily be used for a variety of lessons and applications.

Update: The originators now charge for the lapbook templates this post originally referred to. They do still offer free templates .

If you and your family are into lapbooks, booklets, or other foldables, you will love this free gift from Homeschool Share! 100 editable lapbook templates — templates you can type on before sending the pages to your printer. The lapbooks and foldables include:

• Envelope books.
• Venn diagrams.
• Matchbook foldables.
• Petal foldables.
• Pop-up books.
• Pocket foldables.
• Mini-foldables.
• Accordion foldables.
• Layerables.
• Concept maps.
• Information fans (think Fandex).
• Flap books.
• Shutterfold foldables.
• Many, many more.

Don’t worry, instructions are also included! Since they are editable, these pages can easily be reused for a variety of lessons and applications.  A perfect tool for the homeschool handy-mom!

Additional Resources

Dinah Zike’s Foldables {Free} More ideas!

Editable Graphic Organizer Templates This one has charts, matrices and diagrams.

38 Graphic Organizers Flowcharts, storymaps, timelines, and more!

20 Graphic Organizers Cause and effect, T-chart, Venn diagrams, and more!

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Lapbook Templates for Making Custom Homeschool Lapbooks

When creating lapbooks for your students, you will need some blank lapbook templates..

Homeschool Lapbook Templates

We have a variety of free lapbook templates for you to customize and create your own lapbook elements.  Below you will find petal folds, fan books, index cards, fan folds, flap books, shutter books, match books, layered books, shaped books, and more.

Each free lapbook template includes cutting and folding instructions.

Visit our Lapbooks Page to see all of our Free Lapbooks .

Not sure what a lapbook is?  Read about lapbooking in this blog post.

Each individual template is available for free as an individual download, or you can get all of the templates in one easy and convenient download in the HHO Shop

Individual Blank Lapbooking Templates

Horse Shoe Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Rounded Edge Rectangles Book Lapbook Template

Five index cards lapbook template.

Scroll Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Three Index Cards Lapbook Template

Shutter Book with Extra Flap Lapbook Template

Key Shaped Fan Lapbook Template

Six Tab Shutter Book Lapbook Template

Layered Book Lapbook Template

Six Tab Flap Book Lapbook Template

Horizontal Matchbook Lapbook Template

Skyscraper Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Large matchbook lapbook template.

Square Petal Fold Lapbook Template

Rounded Edge Shutter Book Lapbook Template

Ten Tab Flap Book Lapbook Template

Rectangle shutter book lapbook template.

Three Tab Flap Book Lapbook Template

Pentagon Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Ticket Shaped Fan Fold Lapbook Template

Pentagon Petal Fold Book Lapbook Template

Train Shaped Tri-Fold Lapbook Template

Four Flap Shutter Book Lapbook Template

Pentagon Single Fold Lapbook Template

Trapezoid tri-fold lapbook template.

Four Tab Flap Book Lapbook Template

Pentagon Triple Fold Lapbook Template

Triangle Fan Fold Lapbook Template

Gem Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Quilt Block Fold Lapbook Template

Two Tab Flap Book Lapbook Template

Gift Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Roller Coaster Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Venn Diagram Shutter Book Lapbook Template

Hexagon Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Rounded Edge Matchbook Lapbook Template

Write in Envelope Lapbook Template

Baseball Glove Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Egg Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Book shaped Lapbook Template

Hatching Egg Lapbook Template

Single Fold Rectangle Mini Book Lapbook Template

Large Envelope Lapbook Template

School Bus Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Small Envelope Lapbook Template

Single Fold Rectangle Mini Book with Cartoon Bubble Lapbook Template

Four Page Fan Fold Book Lapbook Template

Cat Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Six Page Fan Fold Book Lapbook Template

Cheese Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Large fan book lapbook template.

Circle Fan Fold Lapbook Template

Small Fan Book Lapbook Template

Circle Quarter Fold Lapbook Template

Filing Cabinet Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Circle Petal Fold Lapbook Template

Flag Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Turnable Circle Wheel Lapbook Template

Seven Tab Flap Book Lapbook Template

Clipboard Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Clouds Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Corn Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Ballet Shoes Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Cowboy Hat Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Baseball Bat Shaped Book Lapbook Template

Cross Fold Lapbook Template

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Free Lapbooking Templates!

I would love you to use our free lapbooking templates to organize your child’s learning! Lapbooking is a popular way for homeschoolers to show off their work. Lapbooks create a portfolio the size of your lap! Therefore it’s called LAPBOOKING!

It is common to use file folders and “mini-books” to create a finished lapbook. These “mini-books”, sometimes called foldables, are the lapbook templates! Here at Happy Hive Homeschooling, we love Lapbooking a LOT. We even do a hybrid style where we put the lapbook elements into our spiral-bound notebooks. Classroom teachers call these interactive notebooks!

Whether you are looking for templates for lapbooks, or interactive notebook templates, Homeschool Holiday has you covered! We understand it’s helpful to have a variety of templates for lapbooks.

It is my pleasure to offer families FREE lapbook templates . We also offer resources that have lapbooking templates included!

How to use free lapbooking templates

The templates make mini books to record information about the topic you are studying. Take Dinosaurs for example. You can make mini books about the different dinosaurs, the various time periods, and even the theories about the extinction of the dinosaurs. Once all your mini books are complete, arrange them artistically into file folders, a spiral notebook or onto loose-leaf paper. You can use as few or as many file folders (or pages) as needed to organize the information about your topic, dinosaurs in my example. 

A fantastic feature of lapbooks (and interactive notebooks) is their size! Once complete, a lapbook is easy to show friends and family. Having lapbooks on display during an open house in a classroom is always a hit. 

Without doubt, blank lapbook templates allow for unlimited and repeated use. Incorporating lapbooking into your homeschool helps your child show what they know in a fun and creative manner!In fact, it can break up larger topics into digestible segments and can make “boring” assignments a bit more exciting! Lapbooks are easy to store and even make a great item to put into your family Time Capsule! 

If you would like to get started Lapbooking with your children I have a set of 8 FREE lapbooking templates for you! You can also check out my video about Lapbooking at the bottom of this post and my other article on the subject:

WHAT IS LAPBOOKING AND HOW CAN IT HELP MY HOMESCHOOL STAY ORGANIZED?

Featured products that incorporate lapbooking

Ready to take lapbooking for a test drive? Everything you need is in our Ben Franklin: Kite Experiment product. You will learn the TRUTH about the day he sent that kite up into a storm, and can document everything all in an adorable kite-shaped “lapbook”.

We also have a year-long lapbook project that teaches the seasons, months, and days of the Year This lapbook includes 2 teaching videos, plenty of interactive elements, and activities designed to show progress over the course of a year. Don’t worry, there is a pacing guide for suggested use beginning in January, August, or September.

Need a FULL SET of Lapbooking Templates? This set of Lapbooking Templates / Interactive Notebook Templates from Homeschool Holiday contains over 35 unique mini books- you can use for ANY SUBJECT.

If you want more information on lapbooking, feel free to check out the youtube video.

Thanks for stopping by Happy Hive Homeschooling for free lapbooking templates

I’m excited to have you as a “lapbooker” and can’t wait to see all the great projects your kids create. I hope you’ll visit us again in the happy hive for more about the methods I used to organize, schedule, and lesson plan in my homeschool with the hopes it will help you have a happy hive too. In the meantime, “Bee” sure to check out the  different methods of homeschooling  as well as our  3 easy strategies for burnout.

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What Is A Lapbook With Examples

Lapbooks really are a must have for curious kids! We have everything you need to set up a lapbook project for homeschooling or in the classroom. Not sure what a lapbook is? We have you covered! Explore a topic with our lapbook examples and lapbook templates done for you. The kids simply can’t get bored!

What is a Lapbook?

A lapbook is basically a paper folder with mini sections that contain interesting information about the overall lapbook topic. These mini books can be as simple as you like or as elaborate.

They may be single pieces of paper, multi-folds, pop-ups, sliders, pockets, lists, charts, or graphs which are fixed to the folder. Watch a quick video of our Biomes Lapbook below.

A lapbook is a great to provide a visual representation of interesting things about a certain subject. It summarizes the key ideas about the topic.

You can use a lapbook as part of a larger curriculum, to focus on a single topic. Lapbooks are an amazing and hands-on way to study a concept while making something! Kids can have fun with the creative elements and at the same time reinforce what they have learned.

Watch the Video!

How to use a lapbook with younger students.

While older students may be able to put together a lapbook independently, with their own research about the topic, our younger students will need more assistance. Yes, lapbooks are still perfect to use with preschoolers and early elementary age kids!

Tip #1  Put together a bin of materials including scissors, glue, double sided tape, craft tape, markers, file folders, etc. Everything is ready to go when you are and getting started is that much easier.

Tip #2  Although the printable templates are a complete resource, you can absolutely add them to your lapbook if desired or use the downloads as a starting point for your own creations.

Tip #3  Lapbooks don’t have to look pretty and organized! They need to be fun and interesting for the kiddos. Let your kids be creative even if a section is glued off-center. They are still learning even if it doesn’t turn out exactly as pictured.

Tip #4 Choose a lapbook folder that will be sturdy and durable, like cardstock or a presentation folder.

We have tons of easy science experiments for kids , now add a fun lapbook project to the learning.

All of these lapbook examples below are available for you to download as a printable PDF so that you can easily make your own lapbook. Read on to find out how…

How To Make A Lapbook

Grab our printable lapbook templates below and turn them into interactive lapbooks with your kids! 

Materials Needed:

• Printable lapbook template
• File folder
• Colored markers, crayons or pencils

Instructions:

STEP 1. To create the cover of the lapbook, color each item on the page. When finished, cut each item out and glue to the desired spot on the front of the lapbook.

STEP 2. Print and cut out the title banner and glue to the top of the center portion of the lapbook. Then cut out the box beneath it and glue it under the banner.

STEP 3. Print, cut and glue the flip flaps together using the area above the dotted line as your guide for where to put the glue. Place them in the desired area in the lapbook.

STEP 4. Print the “What I learned about…” section and glue it to the back of the lapbook.

STEP 5. Make sure to read through and discuss the contents of your lapbook. Then write a sentence or two about what you learned.

Free Lapbook Projects You Can Do

You can make a lapbook on any topic. Here are a few lapbook ideas to get you started. Or get the printable lapbook template pack at the end for even more lapbook examples done for you!

Explore how different parts of the world have very different climates, and different animals and plants that live there. Learn about what a biome is and examples of biomes around the world with a biome lapbook project.

• Why Do Leaves Change Color

You know it is fall when the leaves start to change color, and you get those beautiful fall leaves. Find out what causes leaves to change color in the fall with this printable Why Do Leaves Change Color lapbook project.

• Solar System

Learn about the different planets with this fun Solar System lapbook project. Perfect for a solar system unit study at home or in the classroom.

All About Scientists

Learn about what a scientist is with examples of famous scientists throughout history with this All About Scientists lapbook project.

Life Cycle Of A Bee

Learn about the life cycle of a bee with this printable bee life cycle lapbook! Find out some fun facts about honey bees and their life cycle with this printable lapbook activity.

Printable Lapbook Template Pack

A whole year of lapbook themes to complement your lessons.

• Do you love lapbooks  but don’t have the time to make all the elements? 
• Do you need “done for you” layouts  so you can have all of the fun instead of all the work?

Lapbooks are a fantastic and hands-on way to study a concept while making something! Kids can have fun with the creative elements and, at the same time, reinforce what they have learned.

What’s Included:

• Pumpkin Life Cycle
• Apple Life cycle
• Spider Life Cycle
• Sunflower Life Cycle
• Butterfly Life Cycle
• Flower Life Cycle
• Frog Life Cycle
• Bee Life Cycle
• 7 Continents
• Holidays Around the World

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10 Book Report Ideas That Kids Will Love

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Fun book report ideas for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Book reports don’t need to be painfully boring. In fact, they can be a ton of fun, and with the right project, students will love the entire process of creating and sharing meaningful book projects. There are loads of great book report ideas out there just waiting to happen in your classroom!

Here are 10 book report ideas that kids will love:

1. cereal box book report.

These oh-so-cool reports were always the top-ranked project by my fifth graders. Students loved creating an original book report display using a covered cereal box and ready-made templates. The finished projects made a great classroom display, and students loved looking at their classmates’ creative reports. Read more about Cereal Box Book Reports HERE .

2. Paper Bag Book Report

This is a super simple idea that is quite fun for students. Provide each student with a lunch-sized paper bag. Tell them to think about 5 objects that relate to the main character of their book . The objects have to be small enough to fit into the bag . Send the bags home and have students place the 5 objects in the bag and bring them back to school. On the day they are due, have students take turns sharing the objects in their bags and explaining how they relate to the main character of the book. You can even make a great display with the bags, objects, and books to pique the interest of other students.

3. Character Day

Have students dress up as the main character of their book. Then, have each student take a turn standing in front of the class and telling their character’s story in first person point of view.

4. Book Report Lap Book

you need are two file folders, some cardstock or construction paper, scissors, glue, and the FREE book report template found here . The finished products are quite amazing, and your students will probably keep theirs forever! Check out my photo tutorial for making a lap book .

5. Book Scene Diorama

Have students construct a diorama of one of the main events of their book. They will make a 3-dimensional scene, including models of characters, the setting, and objects. A shoebox makes a great place to build a diorama. Require students to write a description of the scene.

6. Book Report Posters

This might be the easiest option of the book report ideas. Have students first sketch their posters on a sheet of notebook paper. Then, provide students with a large piece of poster paper or chart paper. Posters must identify main characters, setting, title, problem, and solution. Display finished posters in the classroom or on hallway walls.

7. Book Report Mobiles

Mobiles are easy to make, and it’s fun to watch students use their creativity in designing their own projects. A paper plate folded in half makes a great base/topper for mobiles. Have students write the title of the book on this paper plate semi circle and hang the mobile pieces from it. Provide students with construction paper, yarn, markers, paper hole punches, and any other materials they might need.

8. Book Report Mini Books

With just one piece of paper, your students can make a complete, creative book report!

In these clever book projects , students identify:

• Title/Author
• Main Character

No tape, glue, or staples required! Photo directions are included in this download.

9. Design a Book Jacket

Show your students several examples of some outstanding book jackets. Point out the front with the title and illustration, the spine and its information, and the back with the book summary. Also show the two inside flaps with information about the author and a smaller summary. Provide them each with a larger piece of paper and have them design a jacket for the book they have just read.

10. Ready-to-Print Templates

Use NO PREP book report templates to save your sanity AND to keep things fun for your students. You could print out all 12 templates in this Book Report Templates Packet and let students choose the one they want to do each month! There is even a really nice digital option for Google classroom included!

Regardless of which of these book report ideas you choose, be sure to clearly outline the expectations before your students begin. It’s best if you can model a project to demonstrate the quality of work your students should strive for.

Keep it fun and engaging, and your students will be excited to invest their time in their projects!

Check out these ready to go, easy to use book report projects in my store:

SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

Pin this to your favorite classroom Pinterest board  so you can come back for these book report ideas!

To recap, the 10 Book Report Project Ideas are:

• Cereal Box Book Report
• Paper Bag Book Report
• Character Day
• Book Report Lapbook
• Book Scene Diorama
• Book Report Posters
• Book Report Mobiles
• Design a Book Jacket
• Ready-to-Print Templates

Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

Hi, I'm Shelly

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State Report - State Lapbook Freebie

Description

This free STATE REPORT resource provides materials for students to create a State Report Lapbook .

Designed with third and fourth graders in mind, this resource includes materials for students to use while conducting research about any state, as well as materials for the presentation of their final writing piece, in a State Report Lapbook.

To complete this project, students:

• use nonfiction text resources to research their chosen/assigned state,

• use a graphic organizer as a prewriting tool to organize their writing,

• write informative text in five paragraphs, including an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph, and

• create a lapbook as their final product, showcasing their research notes as well as their final written piece.

This could easily be adapted for use in lower grades, or with less able writers, where the expectation is a single informative paragraph.

Their research AND their final writing piece is creatively presented in a lapbook, with several options for assembly. Photos and clear directions are included.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Popular Lapbook Resources for Structured Writing:

BIOGRAPHY Lapbook

ANIMALS Lapbook

BIOMES Lapbook

STATE REPORTS Lapbook

HUMAN BODY Lapbook

ALL ABOUT ME Lapbook

END OF THE YEAR Lapbook

• simple, clear directions for lap book assembly

• photos of sample finished product

• templates for all cutouts and foldables:

- Cover pages: title, map drawing, state flag drawing

- Foldable with flaps: Location/Geography/Climate, Attractions & Landmarks, Interesting Facts

- Foldable with flaps: State Bird, State Flower, State Tree, and Famous Person

- Foldable with flap: Questions I Would Like to Ask

- Cutout: About the Researcher

- Cutout: Industry

- Cutout: Biome

- Cutout: Interesting Places

- Cutout: Resources I Used for My Research

- Foldable with flaps: A Timeline of Important Events in ______

• graphic organizer for 5-paragraph informative writing with prompts for topic sentences and details

• lined pages with title for finished writing piece

Several Common Core Standards can be addressed with this project, including:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.A

Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.B

Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.D

Provide a concluding statement or section.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.7

Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

Though reading standards are not specifically addressed in this project, the opportunity exists to address several Common Core Reading: Informational Text >> Grade 3 standards.

You may also be interested in these Grade 3 CCSS-aligned math products:

Fractions Print & Go Pack: The Grade 3 BUNDLE

Multiplication BUNDLE

Multiplication Print & Go Pack

Christmas Math: Grade 3 Pack

Merry, Merry Multiplication

Thanksgiving Math: Grade 3 Pack

Geometry Game: "I Have...Who Has...?"

Beat the Clock: Math Fact Practice Bundle

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• Language Arts

Biography Lapbook

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Does your student want to study a famous person, but you can’t find a pre-made lapbook for that person? No problem! Just grab our Biography Lapbook and you can lapbook ANY person you want.

What’s Included in the Biography Lapbook?

The biography lapbook includes a variety of mini-books to help your student create a one of a kind project that he or she will be proud to display.

Your students will complete basic research and write the information they find in the mini-books in order to complete the lapbook.

• Cover Piece
• Life Events Timeline Accordion
• Famous Quote Matchbook
• Family T-book
• Portrait Easel (draw or paste a photo of the famous person to the easel)
• Name and Birthplace Clipboard
• A Famous Life Layer Book
• Fun Facts Tab Book
• Life Comparison Venn Diagram

This lapbook also includes some mini-books you can add if you are studying a certain type of person. You simply swap out the Venn Diagram mini-book for the occupation specific mini-books.

If your student has chosen an actor or actress , you can add these mini-books:

• Famous Shows Simple Fold Book
• My Favorite Show Simple Fold Book

If your student has chosen an artist , you can add these mini-books:

• Color Palette (What color palette does this artist frequently choose, or what is the color palette for your favorite work by this artist?)
• Famous Works Tri-fold

If your student has chosen a musician (composer or singer), you can add these mini-books:

• Famous Songs Simple Fold Book
• My Favorite Song Simple Fold Book

If your student has chosen an athlete , you can add these mini-books:

• Sports Played Simple Fold Book
• Records Set Simple Fold Book

If your student has chosen an inventor , you can add this mini-book:

• Inventions Shutterflap Book

If your student has chosen an author , you can add these mini-books:

• About the Books Flap Book
• Famous Works Book Shape

If your student has chosen a scientist , you can add these mini-books:

• Type of Scientist Simple Fold Book
• Discoveries Simple Fold Book

How to Get Started with the Biography Lapbook

Follow these simple instructions to get started with the Biography Lapbook:

• Find library books or reliable websites about the famous person to help your student complete the research necessary for the lapbook.
• Buy the Biography Lapbook from the Tip-Top Printables Shop.
• This lapbook comes in two options: black and white as well as full color. Determine which one you want to use and print it.
• Enjoy a week of learning all about a famous person and creating a biography lapbook!

Get Your Biography Lapbook Templates

Ditch the reports and grab this fun, interactive project instead.

You can snag your lapbook right here, or you can head to the shop to check out the details before you purchase.

More Lapbook Ideas

If you are new to lapbooks, check out our How to Make a Lapbook post. If you are looking for more ideas, try Lapbook Ideas .

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