In light of Reformation Day last week, I decided to do some Martin Luther teaching. I printed out an article to read the kids and "A Mighty Fortress" piano music for the girls to work on. Through the week I had the girls write in their journals about the Reformation. I realized I had missed the boat a bit when I read Hannah's journal. Here is what she wrote (with quite a bit of editing on my part due to her spelling issues).
Martin Luther was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but he moved to Montgomery, Alabama. he helped Rosa Parks lead the city boycott. He invented the song A Mighty Fortress for reformation day. He separated us Christians from Catholics. 
We had a fun field trip today to a riding stable. Hannah has always been my real horse lover, but they all enjoyed the morning. I sure learned a lot. I'm hoping Hannah will read some of the pony club books from the library now.
A friend of mine that set up this field trip was talking to today about those "rough homeschooling days". Another lady said, "Oh, we all have those." I actually had one of those days on Monday. *sigh* I used to be so organized and didn't really have those days. I guess it should be a reminder to me of the grace of God that I need each day to get through. I know homeschooling is best for the kids spiritual development, but some days I just doubt that it is currently best for their academic development. I'm just stretched so thin with all the kids schooling (and trying to motivate them to get the chores done in a timely manner as well).
I'm still really struggling with science. I read a section every day to the girls and we do the review questions orally. However, when we get to the test, they do very poorly. It really upsets Hannah because she is a good listener, and we always have good discussion about the topic, but the tests just don't reflect that they have learned very much. My idea is to find a science curriculum that they could do on the computer. I just don't have time to look for things like that, and I don't know if I could afford it even if I found it. We are very picky that the curriculum be young earth creation based. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear about them. Does AIG have anything like this? I like their science curriculum books, but I don't know that we would fair much better with another book.
I'm really debating about buying Spelling Power as well. I was almost ready to buy Sequential Spelling, but I talked myself out of it (a habit I have any time I'm about to spend money 
). I know I would get a lot of use out of Spelling Power with all the kids I have, and I think it would be more intensive than Sequential Spelling.
My friend also recommended a CD-ROM music theory program. I have the girls do some theory games on the internet, but Hannah is getting pretty advanced since she has been taking piano for almost two years now. Their flute teacher just recommended a new site to me, which will keep Hannah busy for a while, but I'd like to move her along if I could. Steve doesn't think they need theory 
, but I know how lacking my music theory is, and I know it would really help to have a solid theory base! I'll put it on the Christmas list and see how that goes. *We only spend about $10 per kid, but my in-laws spend a good amount per kid - and we DON'T need more toys*
We have a Mom's Night Out next week and we are talking about getting out kids together socially. My girls have made a lot of friends this year with volleyball and drama camp. I really wish we could do girl's basketball, but I don't have time to organize it, and I think it would be pretty expensive. Gym rental and insurance are crazy anymore. I've really thought about having the girls play at the public school, but I don't think I'm ready to go that route yet. Maybe someone will volunteer to put a girls' team together at our meeting.
I'm a bit bummed that some of my homeschooling mom friends are getting together for lunch on Friday and I have to sub. 
I really wish I weren't subbing, but I guess I wish for my kids to participate in activities and have decent curriculum more than I hate the working. I'd really like to help save for a new van too (since we won't fit in our van after April), but it seems like there are always 15 other ways to spend the money. It just puts so much more chaos into our lives. I'm looking forward to re-retiring in April!!
Here is hoping we get a full day of school in tomorrow!!