Hi everyone! I am hoping to get some advice on homeschooling my daughter. She is in third grade and I going to start homeschooling in January. I have been scouring the internet for the right curriculum for her and am overwhelmed by all of the options. My daughter is so smart...she's been in gifted since first grade and does so well in school. I only want to strengthen that. I would consider the approach I want to take more eclectic. My daughter really thrives off of structure and a schedule, although we both love creativity, so I would like to incorporate both. I think our days would work best if we spend the morning working on core subjects. Then, take a break and then work on whatever she is interested in. If she wants to know how seashells are formed...we'll find out! Right now though, I am so worried about the core curriculum. I'm worried I'll get something that is below her level...I want the curriculum to be informative, while still fun for her. So far, I'm thinking for math I will use Abeka, and possibly Teaching Textbooks as well. The other three subjects I'm having a tough time with. Any help is appreciated!
We also spend the morning working on care subjects then spend the rest of the day unschooling, letting the boys follow their interests, googling things, read alouds, crafts, nature study, etc. My advice, relax. Breathe. If you get something below her level, you'll find out soon enough and can adjust. Homeschool kids usually turn out fine despite the many varied curriculum and educational approaches we all use.
You might want to check out something like My Father's World which has some structure but also includes activities and crafts. We have used Sonlight (which I love). It is literature based but not as many hands on projects which works well for that (We have a co-op for hands on stuff). There are a lot of options and it can be overwhelming. Just remember if a certain curriculum does not work you can always change it (even mid year if you want). Also remember that you are the teacher and can adjust any lesson the way you want to (and even skip things , although that is more difficult with something like math). Find what you feel comfortable with for the rest of the year and then go from there. I would suggest attending a homeschool convention in the spring if you are able. I find it much easier to choose curriculum when I can touch it and see it in person.
I think you have a great idea to get the core subjects done in the morning. I've heard great things about Teaching Textbooks, but make sure she takes the placement test because I think the program is behind a year. She may test further ahead than her grade level. We use Saxon Math and really like that program too, but again whatever math you do, make sure she takes a placement test. Does she love to read? And do you? If so, we LOVE Sonlight for History and Reading. It is a history program with no text books, just reading great novels and stories. At any given time, you could be reading three books simultaneously, some she reads on her own, some you read to her, and some she reads to you outloud. It's a lot of reading but great!! I would look at "Core C" which is Intro to World History or "Core D" which is the first year of American History, for her unless her reading level is low for her age. Some of the books are quite challenging, but we love it anyway. Spelling I've been just downloading spelling lists online from this site http://www.k12reader.com/reading-comprehension-guide/ and this site http://www.bigiqkids.com/SpellingVocabulary/Lessons/wordlistSpellingThirdGrade.shtml. If you are looking for more of a curriculum though, All About Spelling is AWESOME because they have the kids learning the words in fun ways, not just memorizing the spelling. They build their words with magnet letters usually. I'd check out Confessionsofahomeschooler.com as well. She has put together a really cool Geography curriculum called Road Trip USA. You spend two days on each state and she did a wonderful job with this - very easy to teach. Good luck!!
Another vote here for Sonlight - used it with all my kids who all loved it. That was our 'core' plus the Science and Math and then I added it computers, and economics and geography and art and music. Not all at the same time!! But that was my 'eclectic' bit. Merging Sonlight's schedule to keep us on track and my own whims (or my kids whims) worked very well. For Math consider Life of Fred + Singapore. The first is lots of fun and both are rigorous.
I'd choose something with a placement test! At least to get started; then you can branch out later. That way, you can put her where she places, and therefore have the appropriate level, at least in English and Math. I'd choose Reading according to either a placement test if available, or according to the English.
