Just Started Our First Lap Book!

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Recently, I was introduced to Lap Books. I'd never heard of them before, but I was intrigued, so I went to the "In the Hands of a Child" website and took a look around. They have a bunch of different lap books in a huge number of categories.

My daughter is in 3rd grade and absolutely loves Voyage of the Dawn Treader. So I thought the first lap book to try should be one on this awesome book by C.S. Lewis. She starts book reports this year and I thought it would be fun to do something a little different than the "normal" book report.

I remember loving reading books for school, but I always dreaded the required book report at the end! It was tedious to me, having to spit out in my own words the story I had just read. So I wanted to do something more fun with my daughter, so that she would continue her love for reading without it being squelched by the "looming" book report!

She just finished her first day, which was to read a biography on the author and to learn a few vocabulary words. At first, she protested when she heard that she would have to read about the author, instead of getting into the first chapter of the book right away. But I gently coaxed her by telling her that she was going to learn a little bit about the person who wrote the book so that she could appreciate the book even more.

After she finished reading the biography, I asked her what she had learned. With a sparkle in her eye, she listed off a dozen things about C.S. Lewis! Now, normally when I tell her to write about what she has learned, she gives me a whine about how she "can't" do THAT! But this time she was eager to write down what she had learned. Maybe it was because what she was writing on was not the same old, same old white writing paper that she normally uses. This time it was a brightly colored cut-out in the shape of a miniature book. It's amazing how a little thing like that can be a motivator!

The vocabulary words also became a joy, when she saw that she would be "making" something out of them. She was so excited about her first day with the lap book, that she couldn't wait to tell her daddy about it!

I have high hopes for the rest of the book report, too. Each day has a new activity to do that really encourages and involved the child in what they are learning.

If you have never tried a lap book, I highly recommend it. They aren't expensive, and you can even download them as e-books immediately!

If you have tried lap books, please leave a comment with your experiences!

I am a stay at home mother of five children. I love homechooling my children and teaching them to live healthy lives. I enjoy staying healthy and fit and love helping others to do the same!

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Textbooks Are Still Needed to Properly Educate the New Workforce

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Are textbooks becoming a thing of the past? In a time of increasing technology, many schools have started to turn away from traditional textbooks. There are more professors encouraging students to access the texts via laptops or digital reading devices. But some experts agree educators should not move so fast to embrace an all-digital classroom; that the traditional printed version of the textbook is still necessary for proper student learning.

Former university professor D. Chen recently wrote that there is a need for technology in the modern classroom. He pointed out that today's generation of college students are accustomed to using technology to find information and agreed that younger people may be able to better learn in an electronic interactive format.

But the former professor also pointed out that traditional college textbooks are still necessary. Other professors agreed the actual reading from a textbook not only provided the student information, but also provides a student better discipline. There's a fear that losing the reading discipline will have bad effects on developing students' writing skills.

Reading from traditional print textbooks also helps students learn better patience. Modern technology allows students to get information quickly and with little effort. By not taking the time to search through a textbook, experts believe students won't develop proper problem-solving and research skills. Professors and work counselors also fear students will be unable to independently use printed materials in the work world if there is not continued exposure to printed materials while they are in educational institutions.

Many professors agree multiple modes of technology can be used in the classroom. Information can still be transmitted digitally to students, but some university officials are reluctant to abandon the traditional textbook altogether. These professors and administrators agree the days of using printed textbooks exclusively are waning. But retiring printed textbooks in favor of electronic-only modes may prove more harmful.

College students are also joining the debate. Many say they prefer printed textbooks over electronic forms of information. Students say traditional textbooks allow them to write in the margins and use highlighters for important passages. That makes the books important study aids. Some of these same students say their grades are better in courses where they use a traditional textbook when compared to courses that use only electronic methods. They also add that a textbook does not require batteries or electricity.

Education has evolved with loads of new technology. But just like things in the real world, sometimes the move to replace what was old-school with the latest new-school technology is not necessarily the best move for the future.

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