We used classical conversations until the third year of "middle school" which is Essentials. It starts when they are 9 and they repeat the same doggone thing for three years. That's when we ended. Year 1 was frustrating and overwhelming, year 2 was better, but to do the same darn thing for 3 years was a big NO for us. Plus, the "challenge" years are rigorous with busy work, which isn't why we homeschool. We loved foundations, which is elementary type work. All listening to 1/2 hour of songs for 7 subjects (listening 7 times a day so we would know it then move onto the next weeks work). We left, and now one of my daughters is in a homeschool forging class, and we found an Ala carte homeschool program where they are learning homesteading, sewing, rocketry, Spanish and aviation. We LOVE it all. My advice is no matter what you do, even if you don't join a community, just get other homeschoolers around you. Find a homeschool park playdate that meets once a week and go. Do field trips through a group so you go with other homeschoolers. It's not about paying for a community but joining one. Do a LOT of field trips. Let other people do the teaching, they love to talk about what they do!! The zoo, museums (you'll be amazed at how many museums are around you!!) parks, walking paths with signs, whatever.

I drew numbers on our front walk and did addition with my kids walking to whatever numbers I called out, then having them add/subract/multiply/divide the numbers they walked on. Whatever works. Scavenger hunts. Nature walks. All school!!! We play "guess how much we spent" at the grocery store, and each kid has their guess and I do too, whoever gets closest gets bragging rights. They love to keep tract during the trip and argue over numbers, especially in Hobby Lobby with percent offs.... what a great way to learn percent off!!HA!

Just do stuff. Live life. Find other homeschoolers. Do field trips. Sing, travel, and enjoy the freedom!!