Pioneer Day Singing Time Ideas (3 fun options)

This week's post - I want to share three Pioneer-day themed singing times. A new one for this year as well as one I did a few weeks ago, and the one I did last year, which was a HUGE hit.

Option #1
Well, I forgot about Pioneer Day and I want to review songs so here was a simple way to combine the two:

I'll have the children fish for stuff to put in the wagon - only things that we need to take across the plains. I haven't decided what I mean by "fish" -- could be hidden under objects on a table, behind pictures on a board, around the room, pulled out of a bag, or I might attach magnets and a paper clip so that they actually fish.

(This has a detachable cover. Children put items that should go in the cart into a ziplock bag, which hangs over the cart, so they can see what they are adding!)

Rules of the game: To find items that a pioneer would want to take with them across the plains. As children find appropriate items, they will add them to the cart. If they find something we don't need, it gets left behind (at the log cabin).

Object of the game: To learn about Pioneers while singing!

Singing application: Some items will have a song on the back that we will sing and review, or a new pioneer song. It might even include a fun way to sing the song but probably not, because I actually want to discuss some of the things they've been having issues with in the songs and work on that. :)

If you don't want to draw all your own objects (or gather together and make physical objects, I've given you a head start here:

You can use this cart, by artist Chris Gunn. (Your printer will cut off part of the picture if you don't rotate your image clockwise or tell your printer to print in landscape mode instead of portrait mode. ) (Go to the link below to view and print a larger version of this image.)
http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/pioneer-tools-wagon


Log cabin:

http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/log-cabin
(Go to the link to get a bigger version of this image.)

Other items to look for and print, or draw ... or use real objects ...
Things that would go in the cart:
A pot
Pioneer hat
Flour
Fruit
Blanket
Socks
Needle and thread
Knife
Scriptures

Things that should stay behind:
Playstation
Toys
Dresser
etc ...


Images that I will print for context:
1. Image of Pioneers pulling hand carts ... okay you get the picture ...

Resources:

While planning an even simpler Pioneer-themed singing time, I found this drawing, also by Chris Gunn, that actually inspired the entire activity, pretty immediately, so thanks Chris! (It was seeing the word "Tithing" on the side of the cart that was the trigger. -- also great for a tithing lesson or to incorporate into the sharing time lesson!!)

http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/pioneer-stuff-in-wagon

Handcart education: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/pioneer-trek

• To cut down on expensive wagons and oxen, some 3,000 of the pioneers subsequently used low-cost wooden handcarts that were light enough to be pulled across the Great Plains. One family or five individuals were assigned to a handcart, with 18 to 20 people sharing a tent. A cart hauled no more than 200 pounds — about 17 pounds of baggage per person.  Each highly organized company was led by an experienced guide and was accompanied by at least four oxen-drawn supply wagons.

Option #2
1. Last year's Pioneer Day Singing Time was one of my biggest hits, ever. They LOVED it. That's the most feedback I have received from the 4 and under age set :) All of the children basically made their own butter that they shook as we sang various Pioneer songs and did various actions (including marching around the room). I also taught them about Pioneers so there are a lot of fun facts in this post from last year.



Option #3
2. I had a Pioneer-day themed sharing time a few Sundays ago that I haven't posted about. Basically, I made a bunch of carts that could be used in numerous ways:

1. To show how well the children sang one song compared to another song.
2. To show how well the children sang various components of a song (change the title from song names to "volume," "lyrics," etc.)
3. To compete against each other, but I really have not enjoyed the singing times where I did this so I've pretty much decided it's not for me. Some other choristers love to do this but I really don't. :)

I used it to show them how well they knew the various songs, and asked another leader to help pull the carts along and explain to the children why the carts didn't make it all the way to the end.

How to build the singing meter:

1. First, I save stuff, like big pieces of cardboard, for opportunities like this one. I pulled out one of my cardboard pieces, and because it was very thick, used a hand drill to put holes through the cardboard, two holes for each cart. I used a thick drill setting.
2. I put string through each set of two holes and tied a knot. I repeated this down the cardboard, using a measuring stick to ensure my holes were somewhat even.
3. I drew, cut, and taped a drawing of a cart to each string. If you want to do this but don't want to draw your own cart, I found a few for you to use below :)


http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/in-the-wagon


http://www.freeldsart.com/handcart.htm



Handcart cut-outs from LDS.org:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d650556975cba110VgnVCM100000176f620a____

This singing time inspired by
http://thecrazychorister.blogspot.com/2009/07/program-review-week-pioneer-singing.html