Recently a friend asked me if I had some curriculum suggestions for a family who is considering pulling their kids out of school. I figured I'd post my response here.
I recommend looking through 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum . There is a section in the front of the book that discusses homeschooling methods. It gives the strengths and weaknesses in each method and who it might work for. Then the book breaks down the curriculums that work well with each method.
If there is one thing I have learned it is that what works for one family may not be right for the next family.
Deciding what they want their "school" to look like really needs to be the first step. What are their goals? What do they want their children to know when they are done with school? What is priority?
As kids coming out of public schools I also strongly recommend a "time of rest". I think it would benefit the kids to just decompress and get used to a different way of doing things. This does not mean the child is not learning, you would just not push formal academics for awhile. Keep it light and steady. If the children have a very negative attitude about "school" this might even be the rest of the year. Setting up a daily routine, and getting used to being home is something that does not happen overnight.
Keep any studies on topics of interest etc. Daily reading, math games and read alouds would be a great way to start. Write letters, weekly trips to the library, museums, life skills, cooking, etc. Restrict or leave out the computer games/movies and get lots of craft stuff. (this depends on age and interest in crafts) Older boys could start with mechanics, learn how to change the oil, clean spark plugs or whatever. Girls could do scrapbooking, keep a journal, learn to sew... Sorry about the gender assumptions these could be switched if that is where the interest lies.
There are academic things that they could do that would be a way to ease back into "school". Really every child/family is so different it is difficult to give any specific recommendations. I all depends on ages, strengths, weaknesses, past experiences. If you give me some information on the family and kids I may be able to come up with some more concrete suggestions. And I am happy to help!! I mean that.
Sharon | 
Keys for Kids -- daily devotional for kids
