I would drop everything but the science, math and grammar. I would do history and reading from the library. As far as the grammar goes, I would suggest going with BJU English without the teachers guides. It is very easy to use without the TM. I bought the TM the first year. I am not suggested BJU because it is superior. It is a wonderful program of course, but cost wise, you will spend less than $15 on each workbook and skip the TM and you will have both grammar and writing. Your science program is too good and too inexpensive to pass up. I just feel math is always neccesary and hard to get in other ways. History and reading are best done though learning TV and real books from the library. Maybe do the American Girls series this year. They will get so much out of it and are just that age where they would enjoy it. Oh, and for spelling, there are spelling lists all over the internet that are free. A lot of the publishers even have their lists on the internet. If you go to school websites, they often post their lists of the week. At one time, I had bookmarked the links to the SWO lists. They must still be out there too. If you want to stay with Easy Grammar (which is excellent too) then I would still skip the writing program and go with story starters online. Again, free, yet at least as good.
i don't think you are crazy. i know i am just starting out, but i have learned that simple is best. i love the library!!! there are always things to check out to supplement a study. i am already planning ahead for next year, too and will try to get any suggested books from library. i can keep them for tree weeks at a time and that is usually long enough for anybook. Rainbow Resource is a good source for curriculum and other educational stuff. i have found them to be cheaper than most places most of the time. jsut my 2 cents Jenn d.
Welcome, Jenniferd! I got a kick out of "...three weeks at a time and taht is usually long enough for any book"! Man, I get a whole stack of books that go along with history (finishing up the Great Depression, and just starting WWII), and I usually have to renew them once, if not twice! I have a tendency to get them what I feel is about a week or two BEFORE I think I'll need them, and then things take longer than I anticipate, and the next thing you know they're due and you're nowhere NEAR finishing up, lol!!!
