How to Make The Trifold Lapbook and Others

File folders come in a wide variety of colors.

       Lapbooks come in many folded designs but the basic trifold, as seen here, is perhaps the most preferable fold taught to young elementary aged students. For this fold all you will need is just one file folder.

The trifold lapbook is easy to store and easy to alter for display in the classroom.

 

       Use the center fold as a guide while folding the side flaps to line up with it from both the left and the right. Once you have made these side panels, the center fold will no longer be of use.
       You can cut one singular piece of cardboard from a cereal box to span the back of the file folder. Glue this in place across the back of the folder using white school glue. 
       This added cardboard support will allow the student to stand the trifold lapbook on it's own and display for their classmates and parents, the work done for whatever project the teacher has assigned. 

 

One standard sized cereal box will provide ample cardboard to adhere to the back of the trifold.

       A lapbook assignment is an excellent unit of study to display during an open house at school or for a first parent-teacher conference. Display the individual interests of each young student on top of their assigned desk along with an example of their best handwriting, an art project and a few photos showing their participation in group educational projects among their peers. Never leave out test papers, graded essays or worksheets for other students to see. These should be kept private, for parents eyes only.

This is the first page click on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 to see more methods of folding file folders into lapbooks coming soon.