Hello and welcome! I will try to answer your questions the best I can. I haven't had AAS very long yet, but used other Spalding based programs. You can rest easy about the first step. You are supposed to spend as much time as necessary on the first three steps and move on from there. Infact, you can work on the second and third step while finishing up the first step. You do teach all the sounds of each phonogram like you would any other Spalding program. You would not need to order the phonogram cards; however, they do come in the student package for each level if I'm remembering correctly (and I think I am).:) I think AAS is a great program and I'm sure you will get lots of great advice here on the forum. Wishing you blessings on you venture.:)

We are using AAR pre-level right now and really enjoying it. I'm wondering what the next level will be like. Will it be the same type of format? Will it use AAS1? How much phonics will it teach? Does anyone know anything about it?:) Blessings, Christina

I'm so glad you are taking this seriously. I contracted Lyme almost two years ago while pregnant with my son. It is such a nasty and insidious disease. Do continue to insist on the month of antibiotics and another round later as the spirocetes have a 28 day cycle. Plus as another poster said there is usually other bacteria involved such a babasia or bartonella. The most reputable lab for testing Lyme is Igenex, but it still won't show up for at least 2 weeks. To the other poster asking about probiotics interfering with the antibiotics. No, they do not. They simple help replace the good bacteria in your gut that the antibiotic is killing. Antibiotics don't discriminate betweent the good and bad bacteria. They just kill it all. DO continue with the probiotics and continue long after the antibiotics are done. A healthy person has about 5 lbs of good bacteria in their digestive system and it can take as long as 4 years to replace it after one round of antibiotics. I'll be praying that your dh will be on the mend soon.:) Blessings to you both.

You only need the TM and the student material packet. I didn't know that RR carried them, but they sure do!! Have fun! I just received AAS 1 and AAR pre-level and I am very impressed with the quality of both.:)

Honey CAN ferment. I know this because some friends had a bucket in their basement that they had bought for Y2K. It fermented. Gross. I would take it back. It may have been sitting somewhere too long.

Hello, Oregonians! Is there a post secondary option in Oregon for homeschoolers? Here in MN we can have our high school 11th and 12th graders take college credit online or on certain campuses and it is paid for. Is there any similar program in Oregon? I'd be so happy to hear from anyone that knows about this.:) Blessings, Christina

I agree with WTMindy. If a dog were to growl or nip at one of my children it would be gone SO fast it's head would spin weather it had a treat or not at the time. We have a great pyrenees which are very food possessive. Ours has never growled or nipped at the kids even when it's eating. If she ever did, I'd get rid of her right away because you are right, they can't be watched every second. I don't take risks with my children.

For anyone who wants to know, I got an email from Brian Davis and he said that he will not have Math 4 out for 2 or 3 months yet. :(

will be out? I'm wondering if I should wait for it or go ahead and get MM 4 for my dd. I want to start school in the next couple weeks. Anyway, has anyone heard?:) Thanks

If I had to choose between the ones you already have I would choose either the CLP or Light and Glory for children. Abeka is very much of a textbook, not a story type history. If you are interested in other history books you could check out the new history book from Queen homeschool. It is story-like and very engaging. Also you could check out Egglestons history books. Amazon carries them.

Easy Classical uses it.

Thank you, Joy, that is exactly what I wanted to know. I probably should have asked how much time it would take instead. I'm glad it doesn't take as long as RS as I have so many to teach, but I want him to have fun even though he is 5th in the line. LOL

I was looking at it and I think it would be fun for my little guy, but I would like to know how teacher intensive it is.

Mr. Schmidt has just started writing a K through 4th grade series!! I can't wait to see what he comes up with!! He said it will be non-consumable.:)

so miserable right now. I hope it clears up soon. As a suggestion for the raw skin around your eyes....I have a friend with the same allergy problem and she swear that Emu oil is the best for clearing it and soothing it. Hope you find what works for you!! Blessings,

Thank you Ellie and Stephanie. I appreciate that you took the time to answer my question. Maybe I could just find some online samples and decide from there instead of asking for someone to type out lists for me. I will try that first, I think. I need to know for a 1st, 3rd and 7th grader. I hope they can just go right into their own grade. That would be super!:) Blessings,

Our baby should come any day and I'm trying to pair down on the Mom intensive things right now. I need workbooks for spelling, but don't know where to place everyone. Any ideas?:) Thank you, Christina

about them wanting to see the goats!! I'm due the 5th and we have Nubian dairy goats. My midwife isn't interested in trying to milk them though. I saw her on Friday, and I'm much the same as you. Hoping to see this little one soon. Hoping all goes well for you and your little one.:) Blessings, Christina

Thank you for the assurance, Christina, it is much appreciated.:)

Thank you ladies! I would love to do SL, but can't afford it and DD wants something that's not going to take so long as her interests lie in the science area. I'm looking into Notgrass too, but could probably get BJU or Abeka used more easily. I think I'll probably go with BJU.:) Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

and why? My dd 10th grade asked if she could just have a textbook for history this year as she wants more time for her other interests. She wants more time for violin and her study of herbalism. So, I would just like to know which one would be best. Suggestions?:) Thank you,

and am on medication for it right now. If I were you, I would definitely persue testing. Lymes mimics so many other diseases. I also had the nerve pain along with fatigue and irregular and fast heartbeat. It can also effect the eyes. Here is a link that is really full of info. about Lymes... http://autoimmunityresearch.org/lyme-disease/ Good luck and I hope they treat you and you feel better soon. Blessings, Christina

We always leave ours in till the plants are brown and crispy. We dig them right before the first deep freeze. Your's are probably just fine. They aren't dead till they are good and brown.

I think it all boils down to hating the sin, BUT loving the sinner. I think everyone should read Richard Wurmbrandts "Tortured for Christ" and some of his other books. Here is a clear presentation of how a Christian should love their enemies while hating their sin. While Communist thugs had him in prison, starving him and beating him, he prayed for them and only wanted their salvation. Over and over again he said how he hates communism, but loves Communists. He lovingly shared Christ with them knowing that it would lead to more beating or even death. Many were saved by his example, especially when the paranoid party kept throwing their own officials in prison after someone else informed against them. I do see a different precident set in Scripture when it comes to saved folks who are stubbornly and consistently sinning and hurting the body of Christ. If we love them we will exhort them in love. If they refuse to change, they should be left ALONE in their sin, till they see the light. If they repent they should lovingly be brought back into the fold. Just my thoughts, for what it's worth. Christina