Review of Home School In The Woods U.S. Elections Lap-Pak

I have been so excited to share with you today's review product, HISTORY Through the Ages Hands-on History Lap-Pak: U.S. Elections, from Home School in the Woods.   With the U.S. Elections in full swing, I knew it would be a wonderful opportunity for our entire family to learn more on just how elections work in our country.  I am still in total shock that I will have a child who is old enough to vote in this election!!


This Hands-on History Lap-Pak is recommended for grades 3-8 so I chose to let my 7th grade daughter who loves hands on activities and anything to do with art work through this project.  We received the digital version which we were able to download with no problems.  We received the files for 21 lapbook projects, printable booklets in 2 different formats, photos of all the projects, and 2 audio files in mp3 format to listen to as we read along in the booklet.  All of those files came in a zip file where I extracted them once I received them.  The file that I thought was so unique was a file labeled "Start".  When you clicked on that file, you were taken directly to all the files that were included with one simple press!
During each of the 21 lessons, we followed along in the booklet using the PDF copy as we listened to the audio.  I did not see the need to print out the booklet for us but could see how it would be a great option to include it with your finished lapbook.  

We worked on 3 lessons per week and I usually printed out the sheets needed for the 3 projects during my Saturday planning time.  You will definitely need a little time for teacher preparation in order to have the projects ready to complete.  The instructions give you complete direction in what supplies you would need such as white paper, white card stock, colored card stock, colored paper, brads, etc.  

It also includes detailed instructions on assembly along with photos of each completed project.  I loved how simple and easy the directions were to follow.  Sarah followed along with the instructions and photos mainly by herself.  I was there in case she needed me but she could really complete this project independently once I gave her the printed sheets and few extra supplies.  

Since we worked on 3 lessons per week, we are not completely through yet but we went ahead and assembled what we did have so you could see the process.  Again, you are given detailed instructions as well as pictures to walk you through the lapbook assembly process and we found them very easy to follow.  They also suggested adding the projects to the lapbook with double sided tape.  We didn't have any so we made do with what we had.

(I'll update the finished project overview once we complete it.)
Also after we complete the final few lessons, Sarah is going to present her finished work to the entire family.  That way we can sneak in a little review for my older sons as well!  We loved everything about this project.  You could easily do it all with white paper and have your child add their own color or you can mix and match like we did.  The instructions also suggest different colors of paper.  I learned a great deal about the election process myself including the meaning of stump speaking.  I was not familiar with that term at all!  I think an older child or adult could also benefit from reading the booklet as well.  Just of few of the topics covered are the branches of government, terms of office, media coverage, primaries and caucuses, electoral college and many more.
HISTORY Through the Ages Hands-on History Lap-Pak: U.S. Elections is currently available as a download version for $18.95 or as a CD version for $19.95.
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