Tips On "The Good & The Beautiful" Curriculum [Part 2]: What Products Are BEST As A Physical Textbook, Digital Textbook, Or Home-Printed PDF?

I think the best way to discus the curriculum is to take a look at each individual subject and the material that has the PDF option. I'll also define each of our 3 terms so there is no confusion, on what they mean.

~Just as a note, this is Part 2 of the "Tips on TG&TB" series. If you missed the first of the tip-series click here...( Tips On "The Good & The Beautiful" Curriculum [Part 1]: Buying A Physical Copy Or PDF Copy? ) This post will help you narrow it down between the two main purchasing options.

For a quick view of today's post suggestions Skip down to the end. ~

Today's Terms

Physical Textbooks: Are high-quality full-color materials/books printed by The Good & The Beautiful (TG&TB), and shipped to your house.

Digital Textbooks: Are PDF's that are purchased and downloaded from online, and then onto a device. Many families choose to use the PDF's as a digital textbook along with a home-printed version.

While some choose to only use the PDF's as digital textbooks, they will typically use a stylist for the children to write into the digital book, on the designated device. Another option would be to write in a notebook as they follow along with the device as a teachers copy.

Home-Printed PDF's: Are PDF'S that you purchase, download from online and home-print. Usually with a printer with great ink capabilities.

(Language Arts TG&TB Physical Textbook vs On A Digital Device)

Language Arts:

Pre-K, Level K Primer & Primer Supplement: All three of these books I would NOT recommend as a digital textbook. There is lots of cutting, coloring, and even gluing in objects done inside the book. I think it is import for this age to have that physical element and interaction with a printed copy. So either buy the physical TG&TB or home-print a PDF.

(If you have your heart set on using this as a digital text book, go for it. Just be sure to add a physical writing element and cutting practice in place of the physical textbook.)

Level K: This Book I would say could be any of the three options. I personally prefer A physical TG&TB or home-printed PDF to ensure the child practices their emerging writing skills on actual paper.

Though the first half of the book has mostly only dictation, and lots of reading. Which already requires another source to write the dictations on. Usually they use paper or an erase able board of some kind.

Therefore a digital option could work almost as well. One idea is using the digital textbook with paper for the dictation, and a printed out booklet of the consumable pages. Another option is downloading an app to use the PDF in and writing right in the digital textbook with a stylist.

Level Readers & Beginner Books Box A-D: Many will say they are truly happy just buying the Physical TG&TB copies. Because they can then skip figuring out how to print, while enjoying TG&TB high quality-print. But once you know how, and have the means to home-print the PDF is then an easy low-cost option. With the added bonus of having the option to download your PDF to a device at any time.

I LOVE our home-printed, laminated, and bound PDF Beginner Book Box's! Knowing my boys are naturally just rough with materials I made sure to make this heavy duty, and even though this book gets daily use it still looks beautiful. Which is great since it has to make it through three more boys haha!

( Home-Printed PDF Beginner Books Box A & B )

Levels 1-7 : For all of these levels you could really do any of the three. Yet I still recommend either the physical TG&TB textbook or a home-printed PDF. As previously mentioned if you do digital you will most likely want to print out a consumable booklet. For these levels the child has heavy writing, cutting and pasting pages.

As my kids are still young I have no personal experience in the middle school and high school arena, but here is my recommendations off of the research I have done on the subjects.

High School 1-3 Unit Booklets: I recommend both, the physical TG&TB or home-printed PDF. If you don't want to mess with printing them then get the TG&TB. But if you want to use them with more than one kid then go the home-printed PDF route, as this is a consumable product.

High School 1-3 Book Packs, Grammar & Writing, And High School Cards: As these are all non-consumables I recommend just using the physical TG&TB. The Grammar & Writing and High School Cards are used in High School 1-3 so make sure to only purchase it once.

Where as with each High School level (1, 2, & 3) there is new Book Packs, that you will need to purchase for each level. You can go the home-printed PDF route if you prefer and then have the option to download the books onto a digital device.

Book Studies & Honors Book Study: I would recommend the home-printed PDF, because while there is some picture pages it is minimal and you then can make more copies for future children. Though buying the physical TG&TB is only a few dollars more and cuts out the hassle of you printing it. So it really just comes down to preference.

But I would purchase the physical TG&TB books for each of the Book Studies, as they are a non-consumables.

~For the most part regarding Language Arts I recommend still having either a physical TG&TB textbook or home-printed PDF. But digital is a doable option if you want your child writing on a device with a stylus, writing in a notebook, or printing ONLY the consumable pages.~

( Home-Printed PDF's of The Handwriting Coursebooks )

Handwriting

Pre-Writing & Level K-Level 7: For these Levels I strongly recommend a physical copy for the child to be able to really hone their writing skills. You can do either the physical TG&TB textbook or my personal preference the home-printed PDF. If you have multiple kids you won't want to buy this consumable twice so get the PDF, and easily print it in color or black & white.

History

Course Book Year 1-4: For this coursebook I recommend the PDF copy because all the pictures in the books are black & white. Meaning there will be no loss of picture quality through home-printing. While also giving you the added benefits of being able to use it on digital devices.

Big Book Of History Stories: I definitely recommend paying for the Physical TG&TB Textbook. For this textbook is more like a 200 page picture book, that will come printed at a high-quality full-color print, on thick paper. You surely can go the digital route, and show the pages off of the device.

However, I personally would prefer to have that as an additional option, instead of it as my only option. I would NOT recommend home printing on this one, if you can avoid it.

Maps and Images: For this coursebook I once again recommend paying for the Physical TG&TB Coursebook. Though, having them on multiple devices could be a nice complement to the physical lessons for large families.

Timeline: Many just buy the physical TG&TB copy as it is a few dollars cheaper than the PDF. But if you do buy the home-printed PDF you can easily print and laminate the 7 pages, and then use the PDF on digital devices. Like being able to show the Timeline to all your children at once on your TV screen, as a big visual.

Timeline Stickers: If you don't mind finagling the printing of the stickers (on sticker paper or just simply cut & glue) then just buy the PDF version. If not the TG&TB physical set is a fine option.

( TG&TB Physical Science and Home-Printed PDF cover to The Mini Book )

Science & Health

All Levels: I recommend the purchase of the physical TG&TB Textbook, because in this case it already comes WITH the PDF! So you are able to have their high-quality full-color on thick paper print. While also being able to download the PDF onto your digital devices, and print off the consumables for your child or children. It really is an easy choice.

I don't suggest only getting the home-printed PDF option, because this non-consumable textbook has many pictures, and you'll only need each level once. In my opinion it's worth the investment.

Math

Levels K-3 (Future Levels 4-6): This subject is a great choice of when NOT to get the physical TG&TB Coursebook. That is IF you have the means to print or are willing to use a digital device. For these levels you can easily home-print the whole PDF without loosing quality, or print just a consumable booklet for your child. While there is cutting and pasting from the appendix pages and random lessons, it still is a good digital option.

Weekly Planner: For this coursebook a physical TG&TB option is nice but not necessarily needed. You could achieve a similar quality with a home-printed PDF in mostly black & white, and be able to make copies for future children or levels. The only thing in color is stickers, so you will need to print your own or just cut and paste onto the planner.

( Math TG&TB Physical Textbook vs It on A Digital Device )

Activity Boxes: I HIGHLY recommend you buy the physical TG&TB activity boxes, if possible. Doing so will save you a BIG headache of figuring out how to print ALL the cumbersome manipulatives and trying to find all the other random manipulatives (like 10 & 12 sided dice, wooden shaped pieces, a movable clock, and game pawns).

Musical Multiplication: I personally plan to just buy the PDF version of this. On the grounds that the print quality is not a big deal here, in addition you will also be able to use it on a digital device. The child really just needs to look at the equation on the colorful page as the song plays. But you can certainly purchase the physical TG&TB book, if you rather not print.

( Math Activity Box level 1 & 2 )

Electives

Creative Arts & Crafts: Both options are fine I recommend the PDF, because it could be one less book you need to store, yet still have on hand to print at any time. However with the physical TG&TB coursebook you will still get the PDF. So it's a toss up.

Creative Writing Notebooks: Though they have scattered colorful pages and pictures, this book is so heavy in writing I would recommend a type of physical notebook. I personally would just buy the PDF so that I could home-print and use it again and again, just like the Handwriting textbooks mentioned above.

Drawing: The set 1-5 books are 20% cheaper than buying each PDF individually. As this is a non-consumable coursebook, in this case it is better to just buy the physical TG&TB textbooks. You won't be able to have it on your devices, but you'll have a high-quality print and save a few buckaroos.

Nature Notebook: This is a great PDF to buy, though I don't recommend having them use it digitally. Can you imagine young kids outside with your expensive devices....eeek! Let alone the leafs and seeds they will need to glue into the notebook. Therefor this is a great thing to print at home, for it's all in black & white, excluding the cover.

Typing: This is a course book you will want as a physical book. Whether it's printed through TG&TB or a home-printed PDF, it's really a toss up which is a better option.

While you can buy all PDF's and save about $12, this course is a non-consumable (besides the stickers, but you could use any really), and all of the pages have bright colors. Some prefer the purchase of the physical TG&TB textbook for the high-quality of printing.

This coursebook I clearly see as NOT a good digital option, for your child will already be managing another device that they are typing on.

( Pre-K TG&TB Physical Textbook vs It On A Digital Device )

In Summary

Even though there are families that are completely digital in ALL subjects, and are very happy with their choice, I don't personally recommend it. And if you find it works for your family... then that's great. For me it comes down to, two reason why I don't solely use digital textbooks

The first being that I want my kids to still be able to have screen time for quiet play, like video games or movies. Secondly I think it's so important for them to physically write on paper, and create a feeling of ownership over their own work. That they can then easily look back and see their own progress.

I hear of many families outside of the United States that shipping the physical TG&TB textbooks would be outrageously expensive, as well as any other TG&TB printed materials. If that is you or you already have some previously bought PDF's, try loading a couple on a device, and see what you think. It just might be the cost effective solution you were looking for to teach multiple children, or even just to save on home school clutter.

My final thoughts.....As a teacher I love having all (excluding handwriting) of my kids course books on my iPad to compliment their physical textbook. I can follow along with them as they read, or even jump ahead to read the upcoming instructions. This makes for a smoother transition into the next activity.

Heck.... if I wanted to take an extended trip I'd have pretty much all I'd needed in one place, besides the math manipulatives. It is really so convenient. I talk more about how to do this in the future post (Tips On "The Good & The Beautiful" Curriculum [Part 5]: Downloading A PDF To An Electronic Device?).

Bottom line....just try out some PDF's I recommended above on a digital device to go along with your children's physical textbooks. You'll get a taste for the digital companion and know if it is a good fit for your family.

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