We started h/s when radical acceleration proved to be a bad fit for DS6. I told him that we were going to "do school" together just he and I so that he could move at watever speed he needed to and explore topics that he wouldn't have the opportunity to do in school.
We started with one subject. Math because it was DS' favorite. Once I felt like we had that down, we added another, grammar. One piece at a time until I felt like his curriculum was full. Everything we use was bought independent of everything else, we don't have any boxed curriculum. I had a lot of conversations with him regarding what he'd like to learn. We've only been at it a couple of months and I already have a list from him as to what he'd like to learn next.
As far as styles go, he hates worksheets so I try to keep them to a minimum. Other than that, he's pretty open. History is his least favorite subject so we read the text out loud together. We also are charting the explorer's courses on a wall map and using movies to supplement the text.
I don't believe that I'll have the option of integrating DS into the school system, he's just to far ahead on everything.
As far as being a good teacher goes..... The most important quality in a teacher is someone who cares. You obviously do. Teaching is a lot like parenting, you're just teaching geometry instead of table manners. Give yourself some time to settle in, find out what works and what doesn't and just know that you are in the unique position of meeting your child's need on an individual basis. Teachers in school can't do that!
Enjoy!
