lapbooking with multiple kids

[Jennifer P.]

I have just started lapbooking and am wondering if those of you who have kids close to the same age allow them to each make their own lapbook on the same subject, or if you just make one for the family? My school age kids are 8 and 6.

[Brenda B]

Hi! I have 6 that are all between the ages of 5 and 11. There are times when I only do a lapbook with the 4 oldest at one time, and other times I only do one with my 2 youngest. AND, only ONE time have I ever did the same lapbook with all 6 (yes, it was a nightmare! lol). When I decide we are going to do a lapbook with my oldest 4, we do all the same lapbook EXCEPT we make the flaps in different places, and use different color file folders (so they feel a little more unique). Then, when I print out all of the resources, I do some of it the same for all of them but also try to include some unique things for each child. Also, I try to print out several choices in cover pages, clip art, etc. I guess what I am trying to say is the whole basic topic is the same, but the content will vary a little with each child so it will still feel special to them. I also make sure there is a little more 'writing' and more informative things for the older ones.

The main reason why I always do the same subject with more than one is because in years prior I was extremely BEHIND in my homeschool... so each subject was 'new' to all of my kids. I figured it would be sort of dumb to study 'butterflies' or 'frogs' with one of my children, when I had never studied it with the others. Lapbooks was one of the MAJOR turning points in my life. It has been a way for me to catch up and cover A LOT of ground in a short time. I'm sure you will enjoy lapbooking, and your kids too! Mine are always bugging me and asking when we will be doing the next one!!! If I can help you in any way, just contact me :-) I'll try to do my best even though I'm still new (beginning of this year) to lapbooks. Good luck to you.

[Jennifer P.]

Thanks for the information. I think that we are really going to enjoy lapbooking. My 8 yr old daughter can't wait. I have been "practicing" by making a couple of lapbooks for my 2 year old son and she has helped with those. We will be starting the older ones first lapbook next week.

[Patricia Bevill]

My youngest children are ages 8, 6, & 4. Generally speaking, we only make one. Sometimes, I will do one each - but honestly only when I have help putting them together. Too time consuming to do one each! I would go insane!
So, they get to practice sharing............
:0)

[merchi]

Hi Jennifer,
This is a great question, and you'll probably find everyone does them their own way...that is the beauty of lapbooking (and homeschooling too!)
I have 3 close in age...6, 5, 4...did I say close in age??
Of course, no matter how close, they are at different levels academically. My 4yo hasn't done much on the lapbooking front, though he does express interest...and for him a I have one that we pull out and add to when he does express that interest.
The girls are closer in age, and academically as well...so when we do a lapbook, they each do one. I plan and prepare each minibook, and the girls each complete their own. Oftentimes there are minibooks that are uniquely completed. They may (or may not) be given a choice as to how to put the minibooks into the lapbook...somethings just go together better one way verses another...so their books looks very similar, but they are not identical.
I'd never thought of making just one for the family...but I can see doing so if you have alot of kids close in age...or if it is more a file-folder game-type lapbook rather than a portfolio-type lapbook...I have made ffg (file folder games) that the kids all share, but I make those...together we do the portfolio-type...it's a great way to say "look here, look and see what I have done!"
I hope we've answered your questions!
Blessings!
*Ü*
merchi

[kay]

I have 11,10,6 try to do the same lapbook with all of them just add harder thing for the older ones. I hand the folder over with directions and the 11 year old works as much on his own as possible. 10 year old still needs a little help, the 6 year old need of course more direction. At the end of the year I let them choose a different lapbook each, help to keep from burning out!

[Linda Mabe]

I have just started lapbooking and we do one for both of my children. This allows us to work together and pick and choose what each child will add.

Linda

[Mommy Reg]

I have 4 kids, 9, 8, 6 &20 mos. With the 3 older ones, each of my kids make their own lapbook for the subject we study (we study the same subject together). I print out everything in black and white for them and they get to design and color everything they way they want. I give them a selection of clip art for the cover and they get to pick and choose. I have the oldest do more writing than the youngest too. They get to design everything for their own lapbook so each one is different even though the same elements are in each one. I feel it is important for each of them to have their own so that they can study it later. And for us it is part of the learning process. My oldest won't write on a normal sized piece of paper but he will write several paragraphs in a 3x4 mini book. Also, they love showing off what they created to family. I don't find it a lot of work to do three of the same book at the same time. But, I think part of it is that I was a preschool teacher for so many years so doing crafts with several kids at the same time is something I am used to. I think you could easily do one lapbook for each of your too with little problem especially as you do more. Probably only having the older do more writing than the younger.