The "element of student control" is the flaw in the system, IMO. Teachers no longer teach, they're facilitators. Students are now "learners". The vast majority of 13-14 YOs do not have the maturity to stay focused. They need leadership and guidance, that's where teachers come in.
All students at the school have been issued tablets, and I laugh when I get an email that my son was caught playing a game. What in tarnation did they expect?
I just got an idea for creating a year long curriculum based on the game "Civilization", a game I've played for 20 years. Thanks to a strong modding community, there's a bevy of historical figures that I had never heard of, such as John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough. As I read about his successful campaign known as the Battle of Blenheim, I noticed one of his victories was in the German town of Trarbach.
I lived in Traben-Trarbach for four years during my tour in Germany, and I never saw any mention or recognition of that battle. BTW, he was an ancestor of Winston...
The class would be based on all aspects of the game, from technologies, forms of government, historical figures, etc. At first glance, I can see kids going "wow, this class will be a breeze!" LOLOLOL, when they find out MY teaching methods. For example, when they earn a "Great Person", they'll have to answer a variety of questions about who-why-where, etc.
I want to take your class!
You should be home schooling your son. Given your passion for history you would impart so much to him.
I taught algebra for years at a small private school and I loved every minute of it. It was the old fashioned teaching- I was the boss and they weren’t! But I made algebra fun (really!!!) So they wanted to learn.
But the two years I taught my son are my favorite memories. I loved Saxon math and would have used the entire curriculum had I continued to homeschool.
And he is now a college graduate, working towards his master’s, full time employee, conservative, and soon to be husband. To a delightful woman!!!(need to clarify in 2016 lol)
So all those naysayers when we announced homeschooling are strangely silent now!!!
I know a little about the Marlboroughs of Blenheim from “The Last Lion” Great book about Winston!!