Mom-ninja. Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I am a homeschool mom and I hate lapbooks. Will my badge be taken away now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I hate them, too. We should form a club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Hen Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Me too. Cute and all but not my cup of tea. My boys see them as busy work. Please don't tell the homeschool lapbook police. Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Gosh I sure hope not, because then they will come after mine as well! I don't really care for lapbooks either.:eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I don't suppose this is a good time to post the list of 100 reasons why your homeschooling years will be wasted if you don't incorporate lapbooks into your curriculum. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 If lapbooks were a requirement, I would not have lasted a month. I really did try a couple times, just not a lapbook mom and yet, we are doing okay, more than okay. Put that lapbook away and do something else. You have my permission. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelda Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I took one look at one and got short of breath. Nope, not happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5kidsforME Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I am a homeschool mom and I hate lapbooks. Will my badge be taken away now? Will my badge be taken away because I don't even know what they are? :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri in MI Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 the reality is, I find them too time-consuming and overwhelming. I bought one on the Middle Ages, did one activity and never finished it. It's an e-book too,k, so I can't sell it! Sherri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlockOfSillies Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 The social groups link is that-a-way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle T Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Even after concluding that both DS and I HATE lapbooks, I still bought a few more from Hands of a Child! I think I bought a total of five or six, at over $20 per pop. We only completed one of them, and what a waste of time it was. Sigh. I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to wasting money! Michelle T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I took one look at one and got short of breath. Nope, not happening. Same here ::shudder:: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Don't blame yourself. They can lure the best homeschool mom that doesn't lapbook. I've spent good money on them, too. Sell them to the next victim, er homeschool mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I still don't even really understand what they are. I am sure my oldest would have hated them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I am a homeschool mom and I hate lapbooks. Will my badge be taken away now? I love the IDEA of lapbooks. I have even purchased lapbooks. But we don't actually MAKE them. No. I just leave the lapbook packages artfully strewn around as a cover when other homeschoolers visit. :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I don't know what they are either. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusyMum Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 *joins the 'what are lapbooks' club for ignorant home schooling mums* So anyone game to tell us what a lapbook is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asta Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 We can't even accomplish a timeline. A lapbook? Oh no... asta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 A lapbook is a visual outline of what you are studying, using small, creatively folded booklets, often attached to a file folder that has also been creatively folded. The booklets can contain a lot of information on one aspect of the topic, or can be very simple (copywork sentences, for example). People often incorporate pockets and other interesting goodies into the lapbook. Here's the most elaborate one I've ever seen, on the Medieval portion of SOTW: Middle Ages Lapbook on Steroids There are other, very simple kinds, too. Some love them, some don't. Some moms love them but their kids hide when it's time to do them. I'm in that catagory. I'd rather make notebooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I have downloaded some of the freebie ones. I quickly looked through them and realized it would be a waste of our time. This is how part of the conversation would play should we be forced into completing one. MOM: We are going to do a lapbook. Z: Why? Do I have to do it on my lap? MOM: No, it's just a name. It's like a scrapbook for what we are studying. Z: What are we studying? MOM: ___________ (fill in the blank) Z: Can we do one on Pokemon instead? MOM: No! Z: Why? MOM: Would you please cut out these things? Z: Can you do it, I can't cut the straight lines very well. MOM: Now we are going to fold the paper Z: (folds paper) Look, I made a paper airplane. MOM: We are not studying aviation today. (smiling through gritted teeth) Z: Can we? Why don't we fly anywhere anymore? MOM: It's easier to drive most places now. Would you please glue these pictures now. Z: Should I use the regular glue or the glue stick? MOM: Either will be fine. (watches as Z now spreads a gallon of glue on each picture) Z: Can I color his face? (he grins pointing to a picture of some historical figure) MOM: No. Z: Is this supposed to go this way? MOM: Let me look at the instructions. Z: (zooming sounds are heard as he is now flying his paper airplane around the room) MOM: Would you focus please. Z: What? I'm just trying to have some fun? MOM: This is supposed to be fun! (again through gritted teeth) Z: I'd rather play with my airplane. Look I accidentally glued my fingers together. MOM: Would you sit down and finish please. Z: How much longer until break? MOM: Once we are finished here. Z: (now glues one final picture) there done. MOM: Can you tell me about what we've just studied? (trying to be serious now) Z: (spouts a few brief sentences about lapbook) Are we done now? MOM: Yes, after you help me clean up. Z: Ah, can't you do that, I want to play with my plane. MOM: (slams head on table, hair landing in the scraps of paper covered in glue. Lifts head now has paper hanging from hair) Z: Nice hairdo, Mom. That is why we don't do lapbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I am a homeschool mom and I hate lapbooks. Will my badge be taken away now? Wait... where'd you get a badge?? We've never done lapbooks here. I like the IDEA of them, but I know we'd never get around to creating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 We did one on the American flag over the summer and we all had a good time. Well, I didn't have a good time, but I didn't glue the boys to the walls, so I considered it a win. Then we did one on the Olympics. It's one of my worst homeschooling memories. The boys enjoyed it, for the most part, but I just remember it as a glue/marker/paper scrap/noisy/rambunctious mess. I actually posted here for you guys to stop me if I ever considered doing one again. You are not alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Oh gosh, same here. Busy work. Waste of time. For us, that is. I have bought a few, printed them out, then put the paper through the shredder. My son says they remind him of public school. I think if I had a child that liked that kind of thing, we'd do it. I'd still see it as a waste of time, though. They are pretty, when I see them all done on websites--I just question the value. For us, that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula in MS Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 From someone who does a lot of lapbooks, it is not a big deal whether you do them or not. Lapbooking is just creative notebooking. It accomplishes the same thing. If you notebook, you might do some copywork, mapwork, coloring pages, crafts and stick them in your 3-ring binder. If you lapbook, you take the same info and put it into little booklets or flaps and put it in a lapbook folder. It accomplishes the same thing. If you want to enjoy lapbooking, never buy pre-packaged lapbooks. They are boring and overwhelming. I like lapbooks, but I hate these things. If you want to seriously try it, make it work for you. Put the info in that you think is important and want to go back over. I have a six year old, so we might have drawings and coloring sheets. (Trust me, there are plenty of very good, free lapbooks online to try that are better than those you can purchase.) But seriously, it is just a substitution for notebooking. We notebook history and lapbook science. To each his own. Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3lilreds in NC Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I *want* to like lapbooks. After many attempts and failures, we are about to start not just one, but TWO lapbooks. Maybe next week. I want to do one on Ancient Egypt, and discovered that I already own 2 lovely options! I don't remember downloading them, but hey, they're magically on my computer. I also want to try the bird one again, since we're studying birds and we never finished it last time. :D Every time I try them, I end up hating them and swear I will never do another one. Then, when enough time passes, I decide it couldn't have been *that* bad, and we get to try again. That's where we are now - the forgetfulness phase. The girls like them if they don't have to do all the cutting so I'm planning to spend some time getting things cut out ahead of time. I really, really like the CM way of doing things but I feel like we need something visual to go along with our studies and I'm hoping lapbooks will provide that.... even though it hasn't worked so far. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Elegantlion--all I can say is :rofl::rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 How bad am I that I'd never even heard of it until this thread. I thougt everyone was talking about scrap booking - which I kinda HATE. :D Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusyMum Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Oh Elegantlion! I can so see that conversation being replicated in our house. My son does the BEST 'I am almost too stupid to breathe' imitations when he isn't interested in doing a task and this would drive me completely barmy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 They are cute, but not on my radar. :001_huh: Confession, I'm also not a scrapbooker. There could be a connection.:blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 What's a lapbook? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I always avoided 'parent projects' where someone cuts out everything for the kiddo and then they put it together. Not creative for them, and lots too much busy work for both them and me. But once DD was 11, she started to enjoy putting together the occasional lapbook. She did it herself. She incorporated illustrations that she drew. She cut out everything herself. My job was just to help coach her through the writing parts, and cheer, which I have gladly done. She loves having those finished projects to show people and to remind herself of her scholarship. We use ideas from Steward Ship on these, and that is just enough guidance for us--no excessive 'cuteness' or preprinted cutouts. But she prefers those big 3 panel cardboard project presentation formats for social studies or science projects. I wish she would shift to lapbooks a little more--those 3 panel boards are much more bulky and difficult to store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Lapbooks? Detest them. I have, on occasion, forced myself to do a few because I have these that just love those things. What is wrong with them, I ask? Poor, abused children of mine. My 11 yr old dd now puts her own notebooks together without my assistance. That I can deal with. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 You may officially join the "No Fun Mom's Club". We hold monthly meetings where we discuss ways to make sure our homeschools are "no fun". You will get your official ID card at the next meeting. ;) May I say "Thank Goodness" for this club. It has saved my sanity many a time. Plus it saves me oodles of money, because now I have permission in the form of an official ID card *not* to buy all sorts of lovely and useless craft and activity materials, guides, planners, storage boxes, etc. etc. Boy, did I get a ribbing when I volunteered to give a talk about the importance of outdoor play & activities for my local parenting group. They all knew of my No Fun Moms membership from of old, and they wondered how in the world Sharon could possibly have anything to say about getting your children to do outdoor activities. I patiently explained that the first step in getting your children to play outdoors is to lock the door behind them. Boredom will do the rest. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma23peas Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 They're a waste of our time...we'd much rather read and discuss.. Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChemMommy Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I hate arts and crafts projects! My poor kids have no idea what construction paper is for. They have never glued macaroni on something or strung it on a string for a necklace. They've never dressed up like Egyptians to celebrate our Egyptian Unit Study, either! I'm just a bad mom, I know. Hanging my head in shame!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 So glad I'm not alone! I detest all art/craft activities. This is why I pay for art classes. I shall have my "No Fun Mom" card framed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 I patiently explained that the first step in getting your children to play outdoors is to lock the door behind them. Boredom will do the rest. :lol: I actually snorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Hen Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I was so excited when I learned that my library had Arts & Craft project Wednesday, one day a month for the 1st - 5th graders. My son was there everytime. It was wonderful, he loved it, and the planning & mess was all theirs. Thankfully he finally picked up the lack of interest in arts & crafts from me and no longer wishes for me to find him an art class to attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I could probably be president because not only am I no fun, but my youngest tells me at least once a day that I am also a mean mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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