nature girl Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 So I've been creating a math curriculum for Anna because she was so resistant to almost everything else I tried. She adores stories (LOF is the only math she'll sit for), and since my career is writing novels I figured I might as well take advantage of my strengths. So I've been creating fairy tales (set in Numberland...), I'm having a ton of fun with it, and she's started asking for math again each day, which is really cool. So I've started getting excited about teaching math again... Anyway, I haven't really written anything down, although I've drawn pictures of the characters for her, and type up the problems. I'm now wondering if I put some time into this (it would probably take me several months) if it might eventually be something somewhat marketable. I know a couple of WTM moms have sold books that have become extremely popular here (I've bought them myself), and I think they've been able to do it without spamming. (I have a "fan" email list from my books, so I MIGHT spam them, since they already "know" me and kinda asked for it. But they're obviously not my primary audience.) Even if only a hundred people bought it, it would probably be worth the time. TBH, I'd be doing it mostly so that all my work wouldn't be wasted on just one kid. And, you know, it's fun having readers. :) Do you think there might be a market? If I offered a large sample view, and people thought it looked fun, would anyone buy it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 It sounds adorable to me! You might think beyond print and consider interactive iBooks. They're something you can do yourself, unlike say an app, and they won't have publishing issues. You can self-publish through Lulu, but really techy is the way to go. Using iBooks, I think you could make the problems interactive, which would be cool. I'd buy that in a heartbeat, except (oops) it would be a bit girly. Maybe put in some good dragons or something and not make it too pink. :D Just remember, people don't usually make money on curriculum writing. Do it because it makes a product that works for your dc, and then if it happens to sell a bit you're happy. :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nature girl Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Oh, I know I wouldn't make much of anything. (I have bestselling novels, and if I add up how much work they take and how much I've made over the years, it comes out to about 0.02 cents an hour, haha.) But it'd be cool to imagine other kids having fun with it. I was thinking about e-books through Lulu, but interactive is an interesting idea! I know next to nothing about coding, so I'd have to teach myself. But that might be kinda fun too. (I mean, either fun or totally frustrating...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 No, you use the ibooks software. There's no coding at all, unlike an app. They're doing it in schools now with students and teaching teachers to make their own custom books. It's pretty much drag and drop I think. You can click a spot and right-click to add a thing (a multiple choice, a popout video, a link to the web, anything). Try this and see where it gets you Apple - iBooks Author 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nature girl Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Oh that's awesome! Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Then, if that's not too confusing, read this article. http://www.imore.com/ibooks-author-23-opens-ebook-creation-anyone-support-epub-3 It's saying in the newest version you can create not only iBooks but also epub books which you can then convert to kindle format! That would broaden your base. Ronit Bird has that problem often, that books are working in one and not the other. I'm glad the apple software will now do that. So now your only trouble is you need a mac for the endeavor. Oh the suffering. :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nature girl Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 I have a Mac(book)! Thanks so much, OhE, this is exciting me. Now can you find a way to add some time to my week? Just one or two more hours a day would probably be enough. TIA. ;) (Maybe I can have Anna scan pictures and type them up as I dictate and count that as schooling. "Wons apon u tim thar wuz a gurl...") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Scan pictures?? Like you're going to draw them yourself? Use the TurboScan app on your phone. That will turn them into a pdf. Or if you want jpgs, just take it with your iphone. Seriously, the resolution is plenty good enough. Don't do it in the dark in a corner. Take the item and put it near a natural light source and go directly overhead, holding the iphone level. Take the picture. T'will be GORGEOUS. You can do videos this way too. Ronit Bird does it all the time for demonstrating games, etc. in her ibooks. Get an inexpensive tripod. Gorillapod makes a really cool one that is tabletop size, with a version for phones I think. Scanning is slow, snapping pics and scans is fast. Anything else I can do to save you time? :) You do know how to use Google Images, right? Obviously deal with the copyright issues if you do that. Here's the link on that Gorillapod. Joby GripTight GorillaPod Video But you know, something a fuzz taller that allows you to point the camera/phone down, level, onto the table will work too. Here's an article on using the camera to make your images look better. http://snapsnapsnap.photos/how-to-shoot-close-up-and-macro-photography-with-your-iphone/ The gig with shooting objects, like if you want to show your manips, is to use a consistent background and have that good natural light (by a glass door, by a kitchen window with good light, whatever) to make it expose beautifully. The consistent background (something plain and neutral, like floor, white paper, a matte counter, whatever) will make it look really nice. Then you just hold the phone level and enjoy the magic. One lady on a class I watched suggested using your hardwood floors and standing on a chair to get the shot. If that gives you a mental picture of what you're doing, there you go. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Sounds very, very cool, TBH. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renny30 Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Not a dumb idea. I'm interested. BTW, I'm a novelist as well. Love the comment about earning .02 an hour. It feels like that some days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 It doesn't sound dumb to me either. I say go for it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nature girl Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 Just seeing this, my house was taken over by the plague and we're only just coming back to life. :( Thank you so much for the tips and links, OhE, you are an angel! I'm going to start reading, learning and fooling around with this today, since my husband's home and I have some time. It'll be 1st to 2nd grade, starting with place value (which I just reviewed with DD using the stories.) It's all feeling very Waldorf-y to me, gentle and creative. This should be fun. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Have fun! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomOfABunch Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 This is a great idea! I would buy it for DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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