AmblesideOnline provides you with a list of books you'll need for each year. The subject covered include history, literature, geography, poetry, science, picture study and art appreciation, composer study and classical music appreciation, folk songs and hymns, Shakespeare, and Plutarch's biographies of Greeks and Romans. You add in your own math and foreign language curriculum. This program is free and is built on the educational philosophies of Charlotte Mason. 

There are so many reasons to homeschool. Is everyone's reason different or are there common reasons we homeschool? While there are lots of answers to smooth over any uncomfortable probing questions from strangers and sometimes family, these reasons are honest reflections of the choices of homeschooling family. 

Virtually all homeschooling parents will hear the question at some point ... What about socialization? It is a puzzling question to homeschoolers, as the term itself has various meanings. This well-documented paper by Richard G. Medlin takes a look at this question and concludes that homeschooled children certainly are not isolated. In fact, they associate with and feel close to many types of people. Their socialization skills are very good and they demonstrate good self-esteem, confidence, and resiliency.