A.,
Good for you! Looking into Home Education options, before hand and getting yourself prepared is key.
PLEASE don't listen to the myths about Home Educated Children.
I myself was Home Educated for High School (back in the early 80's) when Social Workers would threaten your parents for not sending you to school. Yes, Mine were among the great that stood their ground. When I went to College, I had NO troubles, finished with a 4.0 and didn't take long to get a job in the field of study.
My oldest 3 started out in PS and I took them out because my eyes were opened. God made it CLEAR that PS was not for our children or family.
Social skills? There isn't one of my children that has any fear of explaining Breeds of rabbits or goats and how to breed, medicate or take care of them. Another myth, mostly from people that have never Home Educated and have no experience. (and my youngest is only 7)Children that learn at home are not locked into a closet .. What are they thinking??
They are members of the same sports teams, 4-H clubs, Scouts and other groups Public School children are. Public School is NOT the type of Social Skills I want to promote or expose my children to. Drugs, Disrespect of Elders, Weapons and Liberal Agendas. It is your child and YOUR decision to make on exposure. Just like what they watch on TV, Garbage in, Garbage out.
I have seen many Public Schooled children that could be taken as unsocial, however we are told they are shy. Personalities come out in children too and they are all different.
The fact is, Home Educated Children are intelligent, and more rounded to face real life issues. They score higher on ACT and SAT tests and many colleges seek Home Educated Children due to the fact they are more serious about their education.
With that being said, my oldest is 18 and has finished High School, now into college. I have 3 others we continue to Educate.
I would suggest to start with:
www.hslda.org It is a shame we need to protect ourselves legally to educated our children, but for those that *think* they know what is best and don't agree with your choices, we protect ourselves from them.
www.inch.org Information Network for Christian Homes, will list the next conference in Lansing (May I think) I highly recommend you attend, you will get a multitude of good information.
I don't use a curriculum in a box, however I know parents that do. You will need to pick what is right for you and the conference will give plenty of options.
Attend a local support group meeting. Ask TONS of questions and find out what others are using. You may have the option to borrow some books and look through them. See if they will work for both your teaching style as well as your child's learning style. INCH should be able to help you find a local support group.
www.rainbowresource.com - This is great for new curriculum and has a book thicker then any phone book I have ever seen! You really can find most anything there, and at a discount.
It was already given www.homeschoolclassifieds.com I too have used them and been happy with my purchases.
So many schools have budget cuts that sports is an outside activity. Piano lessons, Guitar, Voilin (and others) is always an extra thing no matter what school you are in. Not all schools offer band anymore.
Do what YOU feel is right and know that not everyone will think you are doing what is best. But your children were given to YOU from God and he has trusted you to raise them.
Feel free to come back with questions, I know the first 2-3 years was the hardest on me, being new and so many questions. It will be a learning process for you too.
Best of luck to you!