Books by Barb Shelton

The tendency at the high school level for those just starting out, and even for seasoned homeschoolers who, up until high school, have taken a more creative approach, is, as one homeschool mom said, to "just buckle down, take the textbooks by the horns and just DO it!" She sadly added: "The joy went right out the window!" This book is oozing with inspiration and practical HELP for homeschooling through high school: record-keeping ideas, what to do about requirements, how to translate real-life learning into senior high classes and credits, how to set up your own high school Master Framework Plan, class "plans" for many classes, masters for transcripts and diplomas, creative grading guidelines, learning guides for many subject areas, and complete how-to's for setting up a student notebook. See Comments about Form+U+la for how readers feel about it. (Revised summer of 1999) (See the box below for some thoughts on getting my tapes and/or book.) (425 pages / Softbound)

$28.95

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Lab Science: The How, Why, What,

Who 'n' Where Book

Testimonies from

three homeschool moms

Reader Comments

on this book

This subject has probably intimidated more people out of homeschooling to graduation than any other, yet it can be one of the most enjoyable, life-enriching areas of study! This book gleans from the wisdom of many science and homeschool "experts" and draws from Barb's "master form designer" abilities to give rich food for thought in formulating your priorities for your lab science class. Here's what Cindy, a homeschool mom, said about it: " I've only read part of it so far, but it's even got ME excited about science!! It is giving me all kinds of ideas of things to fill in our high school framework. As usual, she takes the fear out of something by giving us the tools with which to lead our children in the way God is pointing them. Thanks, Barb. Also, as usual, the price is way less than you would expect to pay for something with this much helpful info in it!" The book contains sample frameworks for many lab science areas, ideas, and record- keeping forms to help you coordinate or create your own course, as well as more traditional resources to draw from, if you prefer. As is happening with Cindy, it was designed to replace the "jitters" with delight and direction! See the Lab Science Book Page for more info on this book! (165 pages / Softbound)

$11.95

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This is going to be a bit confusing,

so if you're tired, please get some rest, and

then come back and read this!

Out of Fear & Burn-out;

Into Focus, Freedom & Refreshment

True education is so much more than mere academics! And until we understand what it really is, we will operate out of fear rather than wisdom. In this workshop Barb will help you discern ~ and follow ~ the voice of the Lord for your own family over the many loud voices of the world. With vulnerability and humor, she offers much spiritual and practical encouragement, research, examples, and scripture verses that will release you from fear and intimidation of homeschooling through high school and help keep you from missing out on God's richest blessings for you and your student! The two tapes total about 3 hours. Handouts are included. You are free to share this with your support group! (See the box below for some thoughts on getting my tapes and/or book.) This one long seminar has now been broken down into two workshops and renamed:

"THE HEART OF TRUE EDUCATION"

~ and ~

"THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS:

PREPARING HEART 'N' SOUL 'N' GUTS"

(At some conferences, it has also been called

"DELETING THE FEARS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS".)

We apologize for the confusion, but "Out of Fear..." was taped 7 years ago (as of 2004), and as my speaking and workshops developed and (hopefully) improved, I realized different titles would be better. However, since this is part of my Homeschool Course (also called my "Season of Re-education & Renewing of the Mind"), and is listed in the Course Syllabus, I needed to keep the original title here as well. Again, I'm sorry for the confusion! It's all part of "growing pains"! Please see the next two resources.. .

The Heart of True Education

(Part I of the former "Out of Fear..." workshop)

Before you go one more inch on your path of homeschooling, make sure you are headed in the right direction! And because the primary purpose of true education is "preparing us for the works God has prepared beforehand that we may walk in them," what's "right and best" will be different for each family and each child. A generic, one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter education does not, indeed, fit all! Broadening your view of "education" and getting a scriptural "God' eye view" of it is essential to making homeschooling all that it can be! You will save yourself hundreds of dollars in unused, misused or overused curriculum, and years of frustration! Too many people find out too late that they were on the wrong path! You have only ONE chance with your kids. God is a redeeming God (the theme of my LIFE!), but He doesn't time-warp us back to the infant stage to start over. We need to be seeking the heart and mind of God on this NOW. (1 Tape/Handouts/ 1 hour)

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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The High School Years:

Preparing Heart 'n' Soul 'n' Guts

(also called "DELETING THE FEARS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS")

(This is actually Part II of "Out of Fear & Burnout."

Part I ~ "The Heart of True Education" ~ is foundational to this workshop!)

Does the thought of homeschooling through high school give you the shivers every time you think of it? Whether high school is still several years away or you're already DOing it, you don't have to continue to be plagued by fear any longer! Deal with the myths, intimidations and misperceptions head-on, and once and for all! It takes some time to go through this process, so do yourself a favor and get thinking about it EARLY ON. The focus for this workshop is high school concerns ~ which are best to get OUT of the way as early on as possible ~ we will NOT be focusing on "high school how-to's." It is the fears at this level that are delved into, like the diploma issue, can I do this, will my child be missing out. With these fears dealt with (a clean swift "death blow") you will be free to approach high school with vision and confidence! (1 Tape/Handouts/ 1 hour)

$6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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Choosing Your Own

Senior High Framework & Filling It

With Good Stuff

(Audio Tape Set) First, three methods are presented (by Barb) for designing a high school framework along with considerations for helping you decide which will work best for you and your student. Many practical tips and ideas for designing your own classes using student experiences, non-traditional and traditional resources, and your own priorities, in whatever combination seems best to you. Also: how to figure credits; many ideas for real-life learning, documentation of experiences, creative grading, record-keeping. Based on the book Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+la ~ and is a good audio-intro to it! (See the box below for some thoughts on getting my tapes and/or book.) 2 Tapes / 3 hours / Handouts)

$10.00

"So are your

tape sets included in Form+U+la?"

Here's what one homeschool

mom, Peg, had to say about my tapes...

(She was talking to the

Senior High Form+U+la List.)

"If you thought you had the best with Barb's book, Senior High Form+U+La, you need to get one of her tapes (or all of them). Talk about making the book come to life!! ... I ordered the tapes/handouts to Choosing Your Own Senior High Framework. It came in just a couple of days (Dave is so speedy!), and I can hardly stop listening to it. I just can't wait to give Barb a big hug when I meet her. It's going to be awesome. So, if any of you still don't quite "get it" or need a little more help understanding "it", I encourage you to order the tapes. Barb's message comes to life so when you are listening to her speak while looking at the handouts/pages. It's the best!"

~ Peg Rockwell

From Barb now: There is some overlap between tapes and book, but not everything. I would personally get both, and here are several reasons why... (besides helping to fund our ministry! )

For one thing, and maybe this is just me, but I *really* like hearing ~ as in their voice ~ an author that I connect with. There's just something that comes through the voice that doesn't come through in the written word. (Though I have made a valiant attempt at making my writing as conversational as possible, probably to the point of being downright obnoxious! ) Then after I've heard them on tape, I can "hear" them all through the rest of the book...

But with these seminars, there are a couple other advantages to having the tapes...

One is that if you know someone whose high schooler is struggling, and they're *thinking* about homeschooling, or maybe they're not even thinking about it, but you KNOW it's a huge likelihood that God's trying to lead them that way, they will often listen to a tape where the book would only intimidate them at this point.

The other advantage is that you can play this at a support group meeting, or with just a few friends and actually have a seminar right there! Much cheaper than bringing me there!

Or if you want your state support group to bring me to their convention, that's the tape I send them; which *I* can do; you don't have to send them yours. Just email me about this. [Click here]

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One resource

just for

Washingtonians:

(for Junior and Senior High School)

Washington State History & Government: The Search-It-Out Route

by Barbara Edtl Shelton with Leland Edtl, her dad, as historical consultant. A hands-on, feet-on manual to help you utilize the resources, museums and historical sites around our state in searching out Wash. State's rich history. Easy-to-use with specific how-to's, this manual contains reproducible forms and practical help to help your student set up and produce his own State History and Government Notebook himself; creative ideas for reports and special projects, complete guidelines and samples for organizing your own field trip study group; how to figure hours for course credit; suggested grading criterion; broad study of government. [250 pages / 3-ring notebook]

$28.50

~* FOR ALL AGES *~

Course Syllabus

This is not a "to read" book, but rather is a "journaling guide and companion" for those taking Barb's "Season of Re-education and Renewing of the Mind." This is NOT included in the Guide-a-log or anywhere online. This book is like a "guided journal" through the course, giving you a place to record what the Lord is doing in and speaking to you; what you're getting out of it. This is a very simple approach, with each page consisting of two charts for two different books of the course, with a few questions for you to answer; to personalize what you are reading. Here is a Sample page from the "Season of Re-education" Syllabus just to give you an idea of what it's like ~ and how simple and personalized it really is. (For those taking this course to "qualify" to homeschool in Washington state, the syllabus must be photocopied when you are done and sent to us as "proof of completion.")

$7.00

A Christian Homeschooler's Guide to Field Trips & Extra-Curricular Activities

A guide for support groups or one or more families wanting to plan homeschool activities together. Author Ted Wade: "This hefty book is much more than a list of places to go. Barb has shared from her rich family and support group experience just how specific activities could be organized and made to produce worthwhile learning. It has an excellent chapter* (see next book) on using time wisely, not letting outside activities overshadow the calm routine of balanced home living that includes uninterrupted time for study, play, family interaction and just experiencing life. Field trip ideas and forms to implement the activities." How to do a Home School Presentation Night, and many examples and masters. See Comments on Field Trips & Extra-Curricular Activities. (150 pages / Comb-bound)

$14.95

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It's About Time

This is the above-mentioned first chapter of the Field Trips book (directly above) ~ put together in its own separate book by popular request! A refreshing gift for weary homeschool moms suffering from "too-active-itis" or even burn-out. (If you have the Field Trips Book, you already have this book. It makes a nice gift for a burning-out, going-going-going-too-much homeschool mom!) (15 pages / 8½ X 11" / Comb- bound)

$3.50

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The Homeschool Guide-a-log

(FOR REAL-LIFE HOME EDUCATION)

Compiled/created/written by Barb Shelton ~ This unique book is where we suggest you start ~ or restart! It contains many articles to help you in several vital areas! "HELP! I Need to Homeschool But Have NO Idea Where to Start!" is good for those who are burned out on "school at home" and for veteran homeschoolers who know that God has something different and better for them and are wanting to RE-start. Plus there are articles on socialization, homeschooling through high school; taking a child out of public school; transitioning to home, the purpose of education, goals of child training, legal and testing issues, romance and relationships God's way (purity, integrity, and abstinence, from a heart to please God, not from a legalistic or rule-based angle); "Decide to Be a Homeschooled Mom," "Hearing God 101," "The Diploma Quest(ion)," and "Biblical S.A.T.'s of Learning," to name a few. One chapter presents an in-depth description of my suggestions for a "Season of Re-education & Renewing of the Mind" and a few reviews on my books to help you decide if they are really what you want. (The Original Edition also has not only all the products that are dearest to my heart ~ all the ones I have written plus a variety of other favorites. The new one has a separate catalog, and many more articles!) Includes these sections: "For Those Just Starting or RE-starting Out"; "For Parents with Children of All Ages"; "Intro-only to the Jumpstart Plan for Younger Kids"; "For Senior/Jr. High School Age"; "To Enhance Relationship with and Discipline of Younger Children"; "For Mom's Personal R & R (&R)"; "Spiritual Edification & Deepening Your Walk With God"; "Romance & Relationships God's Way"; "Legal Issues & Testing." See the Homeschool Guide-a-log Table of Contents. (8½ X 11" / 170 pages / Comb-bound)

$7.00

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The Heart of True Education

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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Hearing God 101

~and~

A Season of Re-education for Mom

(or "Homeschooling YourSELF First ~ or at Least at the Same Time")

Before attempting to educate our children, we the parents must find out what true education is ourselves. This is not something we can discover in one short workshop session, but that takes a focused "season," as the Lord leads, for the whole picture to unfold. The culture we live in has strayed far from God's idea of how to approach education. It lays a burden on us that is heavy, a yoke that is anything but easy. So we need to "de-brief" from the world's idea ~ which requires some "doing" ~ in the form of a "season of re-education." At the heart of this season is learning how to hear God, one of our most basic yet most unaccessed privileges of being a Christian! You will thus (and ONLY thus) save yourself much heartache, stress, and conflict with your children. You may *think* you don't have time for such a season; I suggest you don't have time to *not* put yourself through such a season! ("The What's and Why's and How's of True Education" is foundational to this workshop.) (1 Tape/Handouts/ 1 hour)

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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Purity & Integrity in Romance & Relationships

(For parents of ALL children, and their teens)

In this workshop, Barb shares the "heart 'n' soul" of this message; not a format or formula, but the *heart* issues involved. We do not promote or unpromote "courtship," "betrothal" or any approach; we simply want to get kids and parents to see the need for getting God's heart on this matter and attain to simple purity and integrity ~ and wisdom ~ in how they approach relationships with the opposite s_x*. (1 Tape/Handouts/ 1 hour)

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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Beauty for Ashes:

REDEEMED!!!

(For parents with children of all ages)

Let's pull the spiritual cobwebs off the word "redeem" and get it actively working in our lives on a regular basis! What does this word *really* mean? WHAT all can God redeem? HOW does He do this? How do we know what HE does and what WE do? On this tape you'll find out why this word is one of Barb's "Top 5 Favorite Words of All Time," what God has redeemed in her and her husband Dave's 27-year marriage (they will share a "sweetened condensed" version of their testimony, which includes a six-month separation several years ago), and how to get this wonderful and powerful word working in YOUR life - in whatever areas are in need of God's REDEEMING power! Two "short but sweet" verses that have carried Barb through many dark valleys are? "Nothing is too difficult for Me [to redeem]!" and "My power [to redeem] shows up best in weak people. (1 Tape/ 1 hour)

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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God vs. Caesar:

Obeying the Governing Authorities

(For parents with children of all ages)

For the most part, the church today has a superficial and often incorrect perspective on "obeying the governing authorities." With our culture moving in the direction it is ~ away from God ~ it is vital that we gain a correct view of it as anything but God's perspective will ultimately lead us away from peace and walking in His perfect will for us. Many of our freedoms are being eroded away, people right in our own "land of the free" have been put in jail for homeschooling. But the "bottom line" is not freedom or jail, but what would God have us do? We must act out of "conviction", not merely "preference." This workshop will help you get to that place by revealing the underlying issues and what God's Word has to say about them. (1 Tape/Handouts/ 1 hour)

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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Hunting & Fishing for

the Ultimate Homeschool Dad

Being the provider for and the head of the family - AND a HOMESCHOOLING one at that - can seem like "Mission Impossible." But God doesn't call us to something that He doesn't also equip us for. But the problem is usually not in the equipping, but in understanding what God even wants in the first place? Do you know what God's blueprint for the "Ultimate Homeschool Super-Dad and Husband" is? Hint: There *isn't* one! If God made all dads alike, then He wouldn't have had any reason to create YOU. Of course, He does have a few "specs" that apply across the board, and they are not unattainable? In fact it can actually be fun if you start out by seeking HIS definition, for you personally, and then trust that He will be "faithful to complete the work He began in you." God put unique things into each man that He has a specific purpose for and wants to impart to his own family. Dave (who, in jest, calls himself "Mr. Barb Shelton", but which Barb does NOT think is one bit funny) will share insights, encouragement, and many good hunting and fishing stori-- we mean, many good ideas for dads striving " to be all that they can be"! - in their own homes! He has been a police officer for 24 years, Barb's husband for 27 years (no small feat, according to Barb), and the "wind beneath their homeschool business' wings" for the past 10 years, so he has a wealth of experience from which to share. (He's also been hunting and fishing for a lot longer than all the above put together, so if a good hunting story *accidentally* slips out here 'n' there, oh well...) (1 Tape/Handouts/ 1 hour)

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

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Our Story

In this one hour session Dave and I share "our story." It is not so much a "workshop" as it is a testimony of God's amazing power to work, even when He has only extremely imperfect clay to work with, and even when the clay does NOT want to be worked with! We have now been married for 26 years (as of fall 2001), but ours is NOT a "they got married and live happily ever after" story. Of course, very few seem to have stories of that nature. Several years ago we came very close to divorce, even being separated for six months. Our story is not simple, not easy to hear, nor will what happened with us be true for ~ or work with ~ other couples in similar (sinking) boats. But we KNOW that nothing is impossible with God!!!!!!!! And we love to tell what He did to save our marriage from the brink of hell, and redeem it to the point of not being able to recognize it from our earlier years. Some will come away with renewed hope for their own situations, others will have further insight for how to keep their marriages from drifting into the "danger zone," and others will come away simply saying "Wow!!! GOD IS AMAZING!!!" And, of course, you will know "us" a little (lot) better in the process. (Kleenex advised.) (1 Tape/ 1 hour)

TAPE $6.00

CD $8.00 [coming soon]

~* FOR AGE 12 & UNDER *~

The Homeschool

Jumpstart Navigator

FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN (age 4~12)

Don't have a clue as to where to start? ... Burned out on "school at home"? For either case, this 90-page book is brimming with practical help to get your child (re-)started onto a plan of learning ~ lots of real-life learning and "enough" academics. If they have been in "regular school" or are burned out on too much "school at home" they need time to "decompress" while getting occupied in some healthy "real-life learning." Once the child is all set academically (which this book helps you do, in a "lite," real-life learning approach), the book also gives direction to get the parent going on a season of "re-education" in what "education" really is ~ which will be very freeing and joy-producing for Mom! It is vital to know what education is before trying to do it with and for our kids! (The full plan for this season is given in the Homeschool Guide-a-log. There are two lesson plan format-charts (masters) for two age levels that cover up to several weeks of learning. (I used these for many years with my own children, and they are not at all overwhelming! In fact, they are as simple yet complete as you can get!) Plus there's a "Weekly Assignment Plan" for older children , and a "Treasury of Learning Tools" which includes directions, recipes, and ideas for science, art, and cooking projects and masters you can duplicate for your children in math, science, finances, telling time, cooking, art, keeping memories, vocabulary, spelling, music, and abbreviations. (90 pages / 8½ X 11" / Comb-bound)

$8.00

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Real-life Homeschool

Record Keeping Seminar

This 2-hour seminar is on tape and comes complete with a 52-page set of handouts, complete with reproducible masters and filled-in samples! Covers 10 reasons for record keeping and a chart to help you determine your own needs so you don't do any more or less than is optimally beneficial to you. Forms for minimal planning, organizing of your children and their jobs and minimal "table time" work, reading with Mom, various ways to make it look official – which it is! – I just help you translate your "real life learning" into "academicese." A smorgasbord of tools for moms to use with 12-and-unders created by a homeschool mom of 15 years who did the stuff herself, with her kids – even and lived to tell about it! (Record keeping for sr. high and "older jr. high" ages is in Form+U+la.) (Note: this is not the best recording as it was not done professionally. You can still hear it OK, but I just wanted to warn you about it so that you weren't expecting the best.

(2 Audio Tapes plus Handouts)

$12.95

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The Booklet Building Book

This is an easy-to-use tool for creative, hands-on learning in many subjects! Ted Wade, (author of The Homeschooling Manual) says of the book: "Young hands need to be active, but they are often given only busywork. This idea combines activity with creativity for meaningful, delight-directed learning." Geared for 'just-starting-to-read-n-write-ers' up through about 12, it has over 35 different reproducible masters, each one being a hands-on project in itself! Mom just copies the ones she wants to use (children can go through and select the ones they are interested in!) It includes complete directions and ideas for forming them into a "make-my-own" booklets like "Buds-to-Blossoms Book"; "Grandparent Book"; "Around My Town Book"; "Days of Creation"; "Planets"; "A Week in My Life," "Scripture Pictures Book," and "Tree 'n' Leaf Book." This book is part of Barb's answer to "What did you do with your kids *before* they got to senior high?" See Comments on Barb's Books for Younger Children and the note directly below... (90 pages /Comb-bound)

Here is a note from one happy

homeschool mom who bought this book...

"Thank you thank you thank you - we just received the parcels in the mail this morning and I am very excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My oldest boy is right now looking through the Booklet Building Book to see what book he can start to do now!!!!!!!!! - I hesitated before purchasing that one and I am very pleased that we will be getting a lot of inspiration from it."

~ Rachel in New Zealand

$8.50

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The Make-My-Own Phonics Book

This book is by Barb Shelton and your child! It is a tool that any parent can use easily, designed to help you help your child learn to read in a relaxed, logical, life-related manner. It presents three easy framework options which you can use to help your child discover, one bite-sized step at a time, the basics of phonics. Just the right size for the budding reader to work with, it's bound at the top for easy writing for both "lefties" and "righties." The sounds are presented in alphabetical order for quick access. On each page are two charts, each with a different sound or phonogram, with 7 spaces in which the child can write in words as they are discovered in real life and as the child is read to. Click here to see two sample charts from the Make-My-Own Phonics Book! (89 pages / 5½" wide X 8" high / Comb-bound at top)

$8.95

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And just for

Washingtonians:

Washington State History & Government: The Search-It-Out Route

$28.50