we are homeschooling for the first time and hoping for words of wisdom for our first year.  Does anyone have any?  Like how long you normally stay on a subject? how do you make it fun?  how many hours each day for how many days a week, etc?

That's fantastic! I wouldn't try to teach an intensive lesson for more than fifteen minutes at a time at first, with plenty of time for running around and burning off energy. If your child stays focused beyond this time, keep going, but if it's turning into a huge struggle let it go for a little bit and go back to shorter lessons. Don't expect seven hour school days---an amazing amount of time in school is spent maintaining order, learning to walk quietly down the hall, and doing a fair deal of busywork. With one-on-one instruction, you get a lot done very quickly, and can pinpoint your child's strengths and weaknesses. Read a few books to your child each day, let her help fix dinner to learn fractions and a bit of science, and play outside for physical education. Best of luck!

Kindergartners learn through play.  You will have to sit some to learn how to write, and read of course, but generally play, do science experiments, read books--and I think the most important thing in kindergarten is socializing.  If you can, get into a homeschool group--or even a playgroup with kids your child's age that meets regularly to cover that aspect.  Best of luck.

Kindergardners love music and can learn while they sing songs.  There are wonderful ABC and 123 songs which the kids love to sing and if you can point to the letters they will learn what they look like.  Also there are songs for what sound each letter makes.   A lot of teachers use putting a get up and follow along with me song, like simon says for a short break.   There are a lot of songs that are wonderful, and teach too.

Use puppets, a silly voice when reading, and make a game out of doing paper work too.  One teacher I know makes a big deal out of doing a page then putting the paper in a elevator so it goes up gets flipped (by child) then comes back down to do the other side. 

Make play time learning time too, by having them play house, play bus driver, play taxi driver, play shopping,  you get the picture.

Plus check out the wonderful free web sites that can help you teach your child at home, most school dist have a list on their web site of recommended sites, or check with the schools guidance office.

Never underestimate just plain coloring, for fine motor skills, or other things that kids play with that can help them develop finger strength and motor skill.  Plus try to get your kids to play with others their age, or use the local library, they need social skills and the ony way to learn is to use them.

Check them out they were some great titles for circle time and easy reading material for all those pre-k through 1st graders whom were learning to read!