Lessons Learned

Today we are finishing up our Where The Wild Things Are lapbook. This will be our second one.

We've learned about story sequence; we've learned about parts of a story; we've learned about authors, illustrators & book reports.

... And Mama has learned that we won't be using much liquid glue in the future.

This is a shame. I'd stocked up on glue sticks... but I'd also stocked up on glue, thinking, "Well, I'll get more bang for my buck here. We can use this when I've got the time to deal with extra clean up." Another reason I went for the glue is that I'd read that glue would be ok to use.

Ehhh... not so much.

I oversaw the application of the glue, so we could put just the thinnest coating on the paper. The goal, of course, was to avoid buckling of the paper.

It didn't work.  :-/

Not only did it buckle the copy paper we used for the inner components, but it also buckled the folder, itself, where the liquid glue had been used.

I was really disappointed about this.

But, *sigh*. It's just a lapbook. It's not like it's a SCRAPBOOK PAGE (which must be perfection, you know). These lapbooks will be made by my little girl's little hands, so much about them will be imperfect - and that lends to much of their charm, right? So, I made the necessary adjustment by switching to a glue stick. (And, if we are gonna lapbook much, then I'm gonna need more glue sticks before the year is half over, I bet).

Although, I am thoroughly stocked on a large variety of scrapbooky fasteners. I also have the tools, & I know how to use 'em. ;-)  So, using those will give me a little bit of a break on the glue stick stockpile. Where possible, I will also use (and highly recommend) scrapbook adhesive. This will be the priciest of the adhesive options, and I won't use it on any and every component. But, for some of the bigger ones, I am thinking this will be a GREAT option. A strip down each side, and one down the middle, will work amazing well, I'd imagine.  I may also choose this to use when I have to adhere multiple folders to complete a lapbook (like the Wild Thing lapbook).

There are two types, actually, that I'd recommend and use: The EK Sucess Dotto Dots Permanent Adhesive. There is a dispenser you can purchase (that comes with adhesive) and also, you can purchase refills for it. While there are other adhesives and dispensers, a lot of dispensers are not refillable. What I like about these is that you CAN refill them.

And, you don't *have* to have a dispenser to use the refills. As long as you've got a place to keep the roll, when not in use, where it won't have dust or other things stick to it, you can just work off a refill roll. You'd simply measure off the amount you need, clip it, adhere sticky side to project, then peel off the tape backing. Easy peasy, Lemon squeezy!

Having said all this (and wasn't that a lot?) I'm totally open to suggestions about the adhesive situation. Are you a seasoned labook Mom? What do you use? What have you tried and disliked?