Review
There are many times when I need a different way to display my students’ projects, but I don’t always want to use page protectors in a 3-ring binder or a traditional lapbook. I also like something that stores nicely on the shelf, has easy access, and opens flat to view. Multiple uses for the spiral-bound notebook are nothing new, but having a spiral-bound notebook specifically created to offer custom design is definitely a better option. In fact, I prefer this option, and actively seek to include it in our homeschool studies.
Thankfully, the Pear Educational Products Blank Project Books meet and exceed my desire for sturdy, flexible albums that we can personalize to fit our lessons. These are perfect for a wide range of applications, such as:
- Combining smaller lapbooks into one large conglomerate
- Super-sized topic lapbooks
- A project book for a science fair display, historical collection, research notes, etc.
- A nature sketch book
- Scrapbooking
- Showcasing themed notebooking pages
- Story books created by the student
- Collage or art books
- Journaling
The Blank Project Books are available in three sizes. The 6 x 8” size has 30 usable pages plus the cover and back. Due to its handy size, it fits nicely in tote bags and larger purses for easy travel. The 9 x 11½” and the 12 x 12” books each offer 26 useable pages with a bonus double pocket page near the rear of the book to store extra material for easy access. This is especially handy for those activities that I do not want permanently glued down into the book. The larger sizes make it possible to display more per page and also to accommodate over-sized or awkward shaped material.
All of the books are made with acid-free, white cardstock and are bound with a slightly larger spiral to accommodate thicker projects. The heavy paper readily accepts the usual adhesives (glue sticks, double sided tape) without the threat of tearing or becoming weakened, which I have found happens in many other thinner-papered notebooks.
Before I started using the Pear Educational Products Blank Project Books, I would file away my students’ display-worthy paperwork in boxes and plastic tubs. By doing so, that pretty much guaranteed that they would never see daylight again. Now, with the Blank Project Books to display the large variety of lapbooks, notebooking pages, and art projects we produce almost daily in our homeschool, I have the perfect showcase to hold our creative, crafty activities to enjoy whenever we want.
About the Reviewer
From the author’s website: Ten years ago, Heidi and her husband Steve landed on the unexpected path of homeschooling their two children, now ages 12 and 14. After many blessings and challenges, too, they can’t imagine a better decision for their family. In addition to homeschooling and overseeing Pear Educational Products, Heidi keeps busy acting as a co-founder and leader of a local homeschooling support group. In her free time, she enjoys reading, blogging, and attempting to knit. You can read more about her homeschooling journey at her personal blog, www.chatterandclatter.blogspot.com.
From the publisher’s website: Pear Educational Products is the result of combining our third-generation family-owned bindery business with our desire to serve the homeschooling and education community. It is a merger of what we know – paper products and designs – with what we love and is close to our heart.
Our mission is simple: to provide the best products and service to our customers at the lowest prices possible through personal service.
Blank books are wonderful! 3 of my children, the girls, well now 19, 18, and 18 are wonderful artist and draw and sketch constantly! The spiral binding is much easier to work with as well. Thank you.
Always Experiencing Him,
Jody
We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE using Pear Educational’s blank books as well as their lapbook bases! Excellent products!
This is a new product to me. As avid notebookers, I’m interested in these blank books! Great for unit studies.
I’ve wanted to try many of their products but this one is the first on my list.
These have so many possibilities!