Homeschooling is a way of life. It is NOT trying to reproduce the classroom at home. Homeschooling means math is done in the grocery store, at the kitchen table, in the car, and anywhere else you may find the subject arise. Homeschooling means doing away with all the ideas you have about how education is supposed to take place, and creating your own system, the system that works best for you and your child(ren).
When we began our homeschooling journey years ago (when my eldest son was in 1st grade) I was a nervous wreck! I didn't know a single soul (personally) that was doing what we were doing. There were several resources that I used to calm my fears and help me get started:
The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World as Your Child's Classroom by Mary Griffith - While we are not unschoolers, I loved this book because it eased all the anxiety I felt about leading my childrens' education. I felt much more confident in my ability to guide them after I learned more about our natural tendencies to desire learning.
A great place to find out just what your child "should" be learning, is the World Book Typical Course of Study: http://www.worldbook.com/typical_course_of_study.html. Actual requirements may vary by state, so be sure to check, especially if reporting is required where you live. You can check the requirements for your state here: http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp
A word on curriculum: there are SO many options these days. There are pre-packaged curriculums with every subject included, unit studies, websites with free curriculum resources, and so much more! Do your research. Get online and join message forums where you can get feedback and hear what others are saying about the curriculum you're considering.
To learn more about the method we use, visit http://www.amblesideonline.org/ or http://www.simplycharlottemason.com/. Classical education is a demanding, but rewarding experience. I'm learning right along with my children and we are all enjoying our journey together!
I hope this information is helpful!
Dafne
