If I remember correctly, Beyond the Book Report has a video component you can buy so that you do not have to do the teaching. I wish I had used it before to give more info, but I'm sure there are reviews out there to read. I just remember liking how it went through a number of different types of writing, and I liked the idea of not having to think of it all myself. She has a video on her website that walks you briefly through the program. I think an online class could be a good option. I needed something for writing this year that wasn't directed by me entirely, but couldn't swing the cost of an online class, so we did IEW. I do think it's entirely possibly to use it without sticking rigidly to the formula. My daughter enjoyed the videos. I liked not teaching a subject. We will do continuation course b next year, then decide where to go from there. Sometimes I think there is no perfect choice. Whatever you pick will have good and bad, and that's okay. But if you are recognizing that you may be a bit burned out, doing something that isn't completely on you may be a good thing. Even if it's not as good as what you could do yourself. At least it will get done, give you a breather, and still help your kids move forward in writing.

What about something like Beyond the Book Report by the Analytical Grammar people? I haven't used it, but do have it on my list of things to consider. It appears to go through many different types of writing, but you choose what books/topics/events to write about, so you could still write accross your curriculum.

Have you already looked at and ruled out Winter Promise's Children Around the World? They have notebook pages, but cover the world instead of just the Eastern Hemisphere. There are a lot of different parts to the program, so you could adapt what each student does for their particular learning level.

Martin Cothran of Memoria Press wrote an article on this very question. It's worth hunting down and reading. Definitely let her explore and enjoy many things.

It looks almost identical to my plan for first with my third child next year. My list is below so you can see what's different. WWE 1 FLL 1 MP Phonics and Spelling MP Lit MP recitations MP art cards (I don't do the enrichment, just the cards) CLE Math 2 SOTW 2 Sonlight Science B If you are going to use MP's Latin and grammar as they schedule it, I would drop FLL. You'll cover all of that through those things on their schedule. We don't start Latin until middle school, so I do use FLL. Also, there is enough writing in the Lit workbooks and WWE that I don't feel a need to do their copybook also. YMMV.

We are using CLE 6 this year with my 11 yo dd. Since its's working well and my daughter likes it, we will use 700 and hopefully most of 800 next year for 7th. I plan to continue with CLE Algebra in 8th as this point. It's affordable, so even though I will have to change to a different curriculum in the future, I can save my money for something pricier then. I don't want to change something that is working well until I have a reason.

Posted this in other thread also... We are moving this summer, so I have no idea what may be available to us for extra curricular or physical activities. That helps me just focus on the academics right now. R&S English 7 CLE Math 700 & possibly parts of 800 IEW SWICC B Finish Apples & Pears Spelling SL H - history part only SL Science F Fallacy Detective MP First Form Latin MP Lit Guides for The Hobbit, Anne of Green Gables & The Bronze Bow MP Geography II MP Christian Studies IV Some kind of typing program Read alouds with the family Not sure about art, music, and some kind of personal devotion resource. We've been moving so often that learning an instrument has fallen by the wayside. Hoping this year that changes!

We are moving this summer, so I have no idea what may be available to us for extra curricular or physical activities. That helps me just focus on the academics right now. R&S English 7 CLE Math 700 & possibly parts of 800 IEW SWICC B Finish Apples & Pears Spelling SL H - history part only SL Science F Fallacy Detective MP First Form Latin MP Lit Guides for The Hobbit, Anne of Green Gables & The Bronze Bow MP Geography II MP Christian Studies IV Some kind of typing program Read alouds with the family Not sure about art, music, and some kind of personal devotion resource. We've been moving so often that learning an instrument has fallen by the wayside. Hoping this year that changes!

What about CLE's 8th grade US history for the two olders? It's written to be done mostly independently. You can add all kinds of fun library books for both to make it like Sonlight, but wouldn't need particular ones to fit the Sonlight IG. Add a few papers for the older one to beef it up for high school. I haven't used it, but the textbook looks great. It seems more academically challenging than America the Beautiful from Notgrass, but easier on the budget than Sonlight.

Just testing