What are E-books?
E-books are books which are stored online in electronic form, for download.
The books I am addressing here are specifically public-domain titles which can be used for homeschooling. Public domain books are books whose copyright has expired.
Discovering free, online, downloadable books was a huge eye-opener for me! After 11 years of homeschooling and some of those years really struggling to find a way to purchase our curriculum, this was just an amazing find! E-books really are treasures to dig for. Many of us realize that "they just don't teach kids the way they used to", and popular values aren't exactly a moral standard which we want to pass on to our children. These books come from an era when children were expected to mind their parents, and people respected one another. Families lived together, mothers were mothers and took that role seriously. God was revered and Biblical values were the norm. What better ideals to pass on to our children!
Whether you are just getting started homeschooling or are a seasoned veteran, there is probably at least one book that you would enjoy having for yourself or your children.
The books I am addressing here are specifically public-domain titles which can be used for homeschooling. Public domain books are books whose copyright has expired.
Discovering free, online, downloadable books was a huge eye-opener for me! After 11 years of homeschooling and some of those years really struggling to find a way to purchase our curriculum, this was just an amazing find! E-books really are treasures to dig for. Many of us realize that "they just don't teach kids the way they used to", and popular values aren't exactly a moral standard which we want to pass on to our children. These books come from an era when children were expected to mind their parents, and people respected one another. Families lived together, mothers were mothers and took that role seriously. God was revered and Biblical values were the norm. What better ideals to pass on to our children!
Whether you are just getting started homeschooling or are a seasoned veteran, there is probably at least one book that you would enjoy having for yourself or your children.
So Where Do I Find E-Books?
- An Old Fashioned Education
- Full, online, free curriculum for homeschooling, summer schooling, or for anyone who enjoys reading old-fashioned books. The curriculum covers grades K-12! A parent support group is available at Yahoo Groups.
- Ambleside Online
- Another full curriculum plan that utilizes many (but *not all*) public domain books. Based on Charlotte Mason's teaching methods with heavy emphasis on her teachings and a very large support base at Yahoo Groups.
- Momma Knows' Online Storage Site
- This is my very own storage site, of all the e-books that I have. I am adding new books to this all the time. They are organized by subject and/or author, rather than by grade, but focusing on books geared for Primary grades K-6 at this point. Author files include G.A. Henty and R.M Ballantyne books!
- Google Books
- This is THE site to go to if you have a specific title, author, or topic you want to find public doman books on! I warn you, you could spend hours here. You could fill your hard drive here. You could spend hours reading here! ;) Google Books has what they call previews of books. Many are partial previews of even recently published books. To narrow it down, search by title or author and click "Full Previews Only" so that your results will be full books rather than partial ones.
So What Do I Do With My E-Books?
To Print or Not to Print, That is the Question
You have two choices when it comes to e-books.
You can just download them and read them right off of your computer screen. Some families opt for this because it cuts down on the 'book clutter'. You can keep hundreds of e-books stored on CDs or on your computer, to have at your fingertips any time you wish. This isn't the way many of us like to do it, however.
If you like to be able to hold a book in your hand and feel the satisfaction of turning the page, then you will need to print your books. There are a few things you will need in order to do this without breaking your bank account. Let me illustrate for you.
You can just download them and read them right off of your computer screen. Some families opt for this because it cuts down on the 'book clutter'. You can keep hundreds of e-books stored on CDs or on your computer, to have at your fingertips any time you wish. This isn't the way many of us like to do it, however.
If you like to be able to hold a book in your hand and feel the satisfaction of turning the page, then you will need to print your books. There are a few things you will need in order to do this without breaking your bank account. Let me illustrate for you.
Printing Supplies
A good duplex printer is a must! After reading reviews, I decided on a Brother monochrome printer. It is a workhorse and gets the job done!
Brother HL-5250DN Refurbished Network Ready Laser Printer with Duplex
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010) 
Brother HL-4070CDW Color Laser Printer with Built-In Duplex Printing and Wireless Interface
Amazon Price: $449.95 (as of 01/01/2010)
Brother Compatible Black toner cartridge (TN580 and TN550) High capacity 7K page yield.
Amazon Price: $28.40 (as of 01/01/2010)
Of All Things Binding
How to keep your books together
Once you have your first book printed, you also need to do something with it. There are many options for binding your e-books.1. Three-hole punch them and put them into a folder with brads or a 3-ring notebook. This option works best for short books printed full sized on 8.5x11" paper.
2. Have it bound at an office supply store. I've done this many times. To have a book bound with coverstock and a spiral binding costs around $3. A comb bound book would be slightly less to have done.
3. Purchase a binding machine of some sort and do it yourself. As with printing, you can save a considerable amount by doing it this way! Spines for comb binding or for the Pro-Click are very inexpensive.
4. Build yourself a jig and glue-bind your books. I have no experience with this, but I am told it is an inexpensive way to bind books too. I believe Gorilla Glue is the chosen glue of choice for this option.
Cost Breakdown
Comparing printing 7000 pages in black & white
Inkjet Printer using HP02 cartridges:
Ink Cartridges yield 450-500 pages at $33 per cartridge
24# paper $6 per ream (500 sheets)
$33 x 14 = $462
$6 x 14 = $84
Total Cost= $546
Brother Monochrome Laser Duplex Printer using High-yield toner cartridge:
Toner cartridges yield 7000 pages at $35 per cartridge
24# paper $6 per ream (500 sheets)
$35 + $84 = Total Cost $119
Ink Cartridges yield 450-500 pages at $33 per cartridge
24# paper $6 per ream (500 sheets)
$33 x 14 = $462
$6 x 14 = $84
Total Cost= $546
Brother Monochrome Laser Duplex Printer using High-yield toner cartridge:
Toner cartridges yield 7000 pages at $35 per cartridge
24# paper $6 per ream (500 sheets)
$35 + $84 = Total Cost $119
Book Binding Supplies
GBC CombBind C110 Binding Machine (7704240)
Amazon Price: $109.00 (as of 01/01/2010)
GBC CombBind C75 Desktop Binding Machine (7704230)
Amazon Price: $68.17 (as of 01/01/2010)
Fellowes Plastic Comb Bindings, 0.5 Inch, Black, 90-Sheet Capacity, 100 per Pack (52326)
Amazon Price: $10.70 (as of 01/01/2010)
Fellowes Star Manual Comb Binding Machine (52173)
Amazon Price: $72.20 (as of 01/01/2010)
Fellowes Quasar E 500 Comb Binding Machine (52169)
Amazon Price: $263.98 (as of 01/01/2010)
The Icing on the Cake
Or the lamination on the covers-- Protect your books!
One last thing to consider is laminating the covers of your books prior to binding them. You may have no need to do this, unless perhaps you have small children or very avid readers. Or small children who ARE very avid readers! ;) A simple laminator that uses laminating sleeves is all you need. You will probably find many other uses for it besides protecting book covers, but for this one purpose you will absolutely love it.
You may also find yourself drawn to using it for crafting, gifts, or protecting sets of flash cards. No matter what your use, you will not regret it!
You may also find yourself drawn to using it for crafting, gifts, or protecting sets of flash cards. No matter what your use, you will not regret it!
GBC 9" Creative Laminating Machine (1701860 Laminator)
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 01/01/2010)
Xyron 145611 ezLaminator Laminating Machine
Amazon Price: $50.97 (as of 01/01/2010)
Royal Machines PL2112 Laminator Laminates up to 12-Inch Wide using Hot Roller Technology - No Carrier Sheet Required
Amazon Price: $53.99 (as of 01/01/2010)
by MommaKnows
I'm a stay at home mom who works very part-time as a CNA in a long term care facility.
I have 5 kids at home and 1 grown, and a baby grandson. Our k... (more)
I have 5 kids at home and 1 grown, and a baby grandson. Our k... (more)
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