Laws are different depending on the state you live in. Please read and understand the laws that you must abide by. Floridians go to www.fpea.com It is a great help. I recommend that you become a member of this group.
But the big question, "What curriculum should I use" does not have an easy answer. I can tell you what I am using this year. I can tell you what I've used in years past. Choosing a curriculum isn't difficult, but research, visiting other homeschooling families, and going to conventions or used curriculum sales are great things to do.
1. The first thing in choosing a curriculum is to know your goals for your educating your children at home. This does vary greatly. Some educate at home for religious reasons. Some are unhappy with the learning process in the schools. Some are not happy with the boredom that schools can produce. Some are concerned for safety.
Personally, I mainly want to teach my children to know how to learn and to enjoy learning. I have stuck with some things for all of my children. There are also things that I have changed each year. I am an eclectic curriculum user who re-evaluates yearly (or mid-year if something is not working).
2. What does your budget look like? The arena of home education is vast and growing. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars, but you don't have to do this. Reading or literature can be done through public libraries. Math workbooks are not expensive--but teacher's manuals may be. See if you can buy them used. Spelling and phonics workbooks should not be a large expense. Depending on how you want to approach history and science, the library can again be your best friend. Our public library has an online catalog for the county. I can search for books and have them sent to my local library for pick-up or have them mailed to me free of charge. Just watch your due dates, late fees can sneak up on you.
You can also use free printables from the internet or join sites that have a membership fee for using the materials. (I do caution anyone from using the internet as a full-time teacher; most children do not thrive in front of a screen for all subjects.)
3. What can you combine in your family? We have done history and science together for years with our three children. The older children may have a bit more required of them than the youngest. Even if your younger children may not be able to sit and listen for the entire lesson that is okay. You can give them coloring pages or maps that correspond to your study while you are doing it. Lapbooking and journaling are also great ways to work together.
4. You can research so many things online today, that it really helps you to know what a product is like. You can buy new or used. I use homeschoolclassifieds.com to purchase and sell. There are other sites as well.
5. Don't forget you can leave your house to educate too. I hear from some veteran home educators that there was a time when they would not leave the house during public school hours due to the social implications. Today, most people know that home schooling exists. Go on nature walks and field trips. Involve yourself in out of the home classes. Meet other home educators and form a co-operative learning environment.
Here are some that I've either used or seen and liked.
Math English History Science
ABEKA First Language Lessons Story of the World Apologia
Teaching Textbooks Rod and Staff My Father's World Exploring God's
Saxon Total Language Plus Mystery of History Creation
Math U See Jr. Analytical Grammar Notgrass hands-on
Singapore
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