Thoughts on writing curriculum

This year I tried Classical Composition-Fable and didn't like the first lesson because it didn't have enough hand-holding.  So I moved on to Classical Writing-Aesop and loved it.


I looked at Classical Writing -Homer last week.  I read it, re-read it, took extensive notes to understand it better, finally got a clear picture of the how and what, and came to the conclusion that I'm not ever going to use CW-Homer.  It could be done, but I think Classical Composition does it better.  Classical Composition cuts right to the chase.  It does everything Homer does and more, yet less painfully and in less time.  After doing CW-Aesop, Classical Composition makes so much more sense.


So Savannah is going to do Classical Composition- Fable and Narrative for 5th grade and Charlotte is going to do another year of Classical Writing - Aesop for 4th grade since she will be a very young 4th grader anyway (her age-peers are going into 3rd grade). 


Charlotte is excellent at writing, btw.  Her written narrations are absolutely beautiful.  She takes her time and puts thought into it.  Savannah is good too, but she just does it to get it over with, so I know she isn't putting forth her best effort.  I want to split them up so they aren't doing the same assignment.  And besides, there's no need to rush through writing curriculum.




BTW- an even better writing curriculum than either of these is the new Writing and Rhetoric series by Classical Academic Press.  It is getting some amazing reviews!!!  I would highly recommend looking at it.  I'm not going to use it because I am stubborn and prideful, and I don't want to spend that much money on yet another writing curriculum.  I'm going to make do with what I already own. 

The plan

Gearing up for next school year.  Here's the plan so far:
5^th grade:

Life of Fred & xtramath
R&S English 5
First Form Latin
Famous Men of the Middle Ages w/ student guide +SOTW 2+ Adam of the Road + Door in the Wall+The Once and Future King
MP's Geography II
Classical Composition Fable & Narrative (+ notebook)
Apologia's Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures w/ notebook + Tiner's History of Medicine & Exploring Planet Earth

MP's Poetry for the Grammar Stage ??
Typing
Duolingo German
Kolbe's Literature guide: The Bronze Box, The Secret of Poduck Island, Where the Red Fern Grows.

4^th grade:

Life of Fred & xtramath

R&S English 4

First Form Latin

MP’s Famous Men of Rome

MP’s Geography I

Apologia's Astronomy w/ notebook + MP Astronomy ??
MP's Poetry for the Grammar Stage ??


Typing
Duolingo German

1^st grade:

Phonics Pathways / McGuffey Readers

Reading Lessons through Literature 1 (spelling)
English Lessons through Literature 1
Pathways literature list

Life of Fred or MM