For the younger grades, I didn't buy a lot of curricula. We used the library a lot & some of the booklets for math & spelling that you can find at walmart. I began pulling together formal lesson plans in about the 3rd or 4th grade. Until that time, I had a very relaxed form of homeschool. He learned tho...I always tested him & watched his scores improve each year. I found what worked for us & it was never exactly the same each year.
I would "advise" you not to spend a lot on curricula. Use that money instead to purchase science center memberships, go on fieldtrips, etc. Teach to your child's spirit. The saddest thing in the world is when a child's spirit is broken & they have no more joy for learning.
Encourage reading...together is great. As you know from being a teacher, if they read, the rest is easy.
We did our Bible study the same as the others...it changed each year. We would read Bible story books & talk about them...later progressing to actual formal studies & then simply studying whichever book of the Bible he wanted. I let him lead me here more than in any other subject.
If your child expresses an interest in a subject, go with it. His learning ability is at it's peak when an interest is shown. Above all else...keep it fun. Laugh with him, finger paint with him, cook with him, just let learning sneak up on him. It's a beautiful thing.
:boy_hug:
