I am so excited about this idea! It is working wonders to get children motivated to learn how to tie their shoes.  I found a pair of shoes at the thrift store that I put wheels from a toy truck on.
shoe-tying
When a child learns how to tie shoes, they can demonstrate on my shoe.

shoe-tying-1
If they succeed – they get to write their name in gold on the shoe!  (I use sharpie paint pen!)
shoe-tying-2
Children are practicing all over the place.  Today, two boys spent the entire center time practicing.
shoe-tying-3shoe-tying-5
First day the shoe train came out – excitement in River City!
shoe-tying-6
The shoe tying children writing their names onto the shoe.
shoe-tying-7
Two students holding their own shoe tying “workshop.”