Excellerations® Picture Story Lap Boards Set of 10

Description

These versatile lap boards bring together drawing and writing practice in one convenient tool. Each reversible board features an unruled side perfect for free-form artwork and a structured “picture story” side that combines illustration space with properly spaced writing lines. The writing side includes 7/8-inch ruling from topline to baseline with additional space below for descender letters, while a red baseline helps guide proper letter formation. At 12 inches wide by 9 inches high, these personal-sized boards are ideal for individual work and small group activities.

The set of 10 boards makes this an excellent choice for families with multiple children or those who prefer having dedicated boards for different subjects. The whiteboard surface works with dry erase markers and wipes clean easily, ensuring years of repeated use. The compact size makes these boards perfect for lap work, travel learning, or creating designated writing stations around your home.

How Homeschoolers Can Use This Product

Language Arts and Writing Development

These boards excel at supporting early writing skills through their thoughtful design. The picture story format encourages children to plan their thoughts visually before writing, which strengthens comprehension and organization skills. Use the drawing space for story mapping, character sketches, or vocabulary illustrations, then have students write their narratives on the ruled lines below.

For handwriting practice, the red baseline and proper spacing help children develop muscle memory for letter formation. Practice letter families, sight words, or spelling lists while maintaining proper letter placement. The personal size reduces overwhelm compared to large whiteboards and creates a focused workspace.

Creative Storytelling and Illustration

Combine art and literature by having students illustrate scenes from read-alouds on the unruled side, then write character descriptions or plot summaries on the reverse. Create ongoing story journals where children add new chapters daily, or use them for retelling favorite Bible stories with both pictures and words.

For reluctant writers, the visual component often sparks creativity. Students can draw first to organize their thoughts, then transfer those ideas into written form. This approach particularly benefits visual learners who need to “see” their stories before writing them.

Cross-Curricular Applications

These boards work beautifully across multiple subjects. In science, students can diagram experiments and record observations. For history, create timelines with illustrations and key facts. Math word problems become more engaging when students can draw the scenario before solving.

Geography lessons come alive when children map locations and write descriptive paragraphs about different regions. The boards also support foreign language learning by combining vocabulary drawings with written translations or simple sentences.

Practical Learning Tips

Rotate boards between children during lessons to maintain engagement and provide fresh surfaces. Store completed work by taking photos before erasing, creating digital portfolios of student progress. Use different colored markers to distinguish between illustration and writing portions during lessons.

For multi-level teaching, younger children can focus primarily on the drawing side while older students complete full picture stories. The boards also work well for assessment purposes, allowing you to quickly gauge both artistic expression and writing development in a single activity.

Consider dedicating specific boards to certain subjects or keeping them in learning stations around your home. Their portability makes them perfect for outdoor school days, car travel, or anywhere you need a clean writing surface.