eTextbooks from CK12.org

Textbook publishers make a mint ripping out trees and printing textbooks for students to draw mustaches on monkeys.  There is another way, however.  Another way that involves no paper and no need to have students to lug fifty pounds of textbooks around in their backpacks to finish their homework.  The era of the eBook is being (slowly) ushered in.  While this movement meets resistance (shocking!), there are those who are bravely pioneering for our students.

The state of California has hired a group to create texts for them...online.  These texts may be accessed by students and even us.  Even better, they are FREE!  They are also able to be downloaded in iPad, Kindle, and Android formats.  That means textbooks on cell phones.  No excuses!  Additionally, these texts can be EASILY altered so that new and updated information can be added as needed.

The five that I found had the same quality as textbooks sitting in desks or on shelves in classrooms.

The first was Commonsense Composition (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2513).  This book contained chapters on the different essays that students are to be capable of writing.  Also, this book included chapters on other documents as well as rules for writing (parts of speech, grammar, etc.).  Meant for high school students, there are some chapters that can be used for lower grades as well with some minor adaptations.

The next was Earth Science for Middle School (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2534).  This text, given the title, is meant for the lower secondary crew.  This book is set up where individual chapters can be clicked on (no shuffling around for page numbers).

Life Science for Middle School (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2536) is also designed for use with Middle School students, but with some alterations can also meet standards for lower grade levels.

Algebra Explorations, Pre-K through Grade 7 (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/13152) is more of a compilation of mini-texts for all of the grades listed.  There is a chapter devoted to the exploration of algebra for each grade.  I am looking forward to trying the fourth grade section with my own students!

Last, but never least, is CK-12 Middle School Math - Grade 6 (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2832).  This text (meant for sixth graders) and covers multiple areas such as decimals, geometry, and fractions.  Some of these topics are also studied in lower grades and could have potential uses in them as well. 

As I said, free is good!  These possibilities are revolutions in textbook history.  Hopefully they pave the way for other states to do the same.