I absolutely LOVE preparing for the new school year!  This year we actually have a school room so it has been EXTRA fun getting it all ready!  I wanted to share our new "Scripture Train".  We have done this before and decided to take it up again.  It encouraged the children SO much in their scripture memory. 

What I do is start the train with an engine (picture below)....then as they learn their scripture verses (as a team) we add a train car with that verse to the train.  Before we had a train going all the way around the top of the room! :) 

For the engine this time I used the drawing lessons in This Old School House Magazine!  Thanks TOS...even BIG kids can use those lessons!  What fun we are having.  We are going to also be using the information on trains and make a timeline as well.  We have a Union Pacific Railroad that runs right by our farm and it is a HUGE hit with the children!  They will love this!

Happy Homeschooling!