Just in this first year, I have changed the curriculum I use for Grammar and Science. I have changed the way I teach math and social studies. I think the first year, especially, is a sorting out/working out the way hs works for you. There are no set rules for hs....you can go from strict ps-like curriculum to total unschooling and every variable in between!
I read, when I first came here, DESCHOOL....I thought 'yeah, yeah, we will do that over the summer and be fine'. Ummmm NO. I was wrong! I think we needed longer, but that nagging feeling (well and that nagging dh and mil too!) that we were wasting our days and not doing 'real school work'. So we have deschooled in installments, sometimes going weeks without 'true' school work, but just hanging out.
I think I was trying so hard to go from the ps way (the only way my son knew for almost 5 years--makes sense now that I shouldn't have taken away his comfort zones) to a very unschooling approach, that we both got lost along the way.
I have added a chalk board and chalkboard lessons to our schooling. He loves doing math on the chalkboard.
I found he really, really likes worksheets (I didn't want them--too much like ps and they need them so they can have a grade to tell the parents). Doing worksheets has sprouted more conversation/further research and 'hmmm wonder why that is, let's go look it up on the computer' from him - exactly what I wanted for him. I am learning from him to be more flexible and be open to trying new ways.
