E-Books as Curriculum

I said that I would post later about what curriculum we use and why we use it. 
I should probably start with the core materials and work up to some of the other curriculum items, but a friend asked about handwriting instruction today so I am going to start there.

I did my student teaching in a K-5 classroom at PCA (that's Pensacola Christian Academy) and they taught traditional cursive in their kindergarten classes.  The students did very well with cursive handwriting and I think it is a great idea for a homeschooler who is looking into the possibility of teaching cursive to their kindergarteners.  Since we use ABeka materials for our language (phonics, reading, writing, grammar) curriculum, I started Joshua in their cursive handwriting K-5 program.  I thought he was doing terrible so I switched to traditional manuscript,  He didn't do too much better in that.  The problem I was having was one I hadn't seen during my student teaching or in my limited time as a classroom teacher.  Josh was (and still is somewhat) ambidextrous so his handwriting was dreadful, but it was equally dreadful with his left hand.  I encourage myself in the fact that his handwriting being what it is, he will surely become a doctor one day.  I have since tried multiple types of handwriting instruction with Josh and have settled on the least expensive, most fun, and most convenient of all the choices.  I know, right?  How often is the least expensive option the one that works?
I purchased an e-book from Carson Dellosa and I can print single copies of the worksheets I want as needed throughout the year. 
http://www.carsondellosa.com/cd2/searchcatalog.aspx?k=productTypeGroup_facet%3a%22Books%22+topic_facet%3a%22Handwriting%22+ebookFlag%3a%22true%22&CM_VC=Books
The Key Education Resource books for pre-handwriting practice is a great book for preschoolers too.  They are fun books to use with all age groups.  Key Education Resources (sold by Carson Dellosa) also makes several fun sets of writing practice cards that can be used with dry-erase markers or wipe-off crayons. 
http://www.carsondellosa.com/cd2/SearchCatalog.aspx?k=Key+Education+Wipe-off+startEndGrade%3a%22startEndGrade%3aPK%22&CM_VC=10001
Of course, these books are only for preschool through grade 5 and need to be supplemented by creative writing as well.  Still, they've worked very well for us and I'm thrilled that I can use the same item for each student.  Instead of purchasing a new consumable workbook for each child, I simply print a new set of practice pages as each child needs them.  Overall, e-books are a tremendous value for our family.
Hopefully, I'll be updating the curriculum category to let you know about our core subjects and some of our fun supplementary items in the near future.  If you have a specific question or idea for the blog, please, leave me a comment.  Thanks.