Description

Preview a Sampling of the songs that come with the play.

Preview Prairie Rabbit

Preview Our Train

Preview Paw Paw Patch

Preview My Home’s in Montana

Preview There’s a Little Wheel A’Turnin’

The teacher is the narrator and included in the play action. Thus the teacher can help, prompt and set the pace of the play while following the easy script.  This format will allow the teacher and the children to concentrate on singing together and performing the fun movements of the songs.
Props, Scenery, Invitation, Program who has time!

Print the invitation template and have the children color and fill it out or you can print it ahead of time to send to friends and family.  This is a digital file so you could even email it.

Make your own unique Program by taking a group photo of your children with a cell phone; drop   it into the Text Box on the digital Program template.   Then list the names of the children and the songs that will be performed, print it and you’re done!

Scenery Suggestions:

There are a few scenery suggestions.  You select what elements you like and make your own.
Templates of train cars and engines are included, have the children color them.   Hang the engine and the other cars from a cloths line strung across the front of your background.
Make a covered wagon out of a red wagon  add a•2,000 Miles Sign a • Oxen Mask •Lasso •Iron bar •Newspaper Hats •American Flags •Are We There Yet Sign •Statue of Liberty Costume •Torch• Statue of Liberty Crown

 Costume ideas:

•Pioneer  Cloths such as Blue Jeans, Bandanas, Suspenders, Straw Hats, Long Dresses or Skirts, Bonnet and Hats.
Alternative to costumes, pint the iron on t-shirt template and make a t-shirt for everyone or print it onto heavy stock paper and pin it to his or her shirt the day of the performance, they’ll look great.

In LEARN there are simple questions to lead a discussion about the Pioneers, how and why they traveled west.

Activities in  LEARN:
“My Pioneer History” a word activity.
“My Pioneer Scrapbook” the children create a scrapbook by using coloring pages that follow along with the songs of the play.  This activity allows them an opportunity to express what they learned about the Pioneers in their own words and drawings. This can be a group or individual activity.
22 Pairs of colored Memory cards with Pioneer scenes and animals are included use them to play a game of concentration or Bingo.
“Its time to tell Time” is a printable clock face  and  a short history about train time.
Print the 9-page coloring /spelling booklet and add the missing letters to the words.
Choose from 24 Coloring pages to make a coloring book to send home.
This play includes lists of books and websites for additional reference.

Explore

Make a Rainbow Cradle.  Draw a face and thread yarn though the holes and the children can wear it on their backs.
Statue of Liberty- Brief History along with a  connect the dots activity sheet and a link to download a crown.
Bear claw template  – So you think you have big feet?   Children trace their hand or foot onto the Bear Claw.
Word activity, “How do we get there?”   When you travel there are special words to direct us, North, East, South and West.

Teacher Tools
Lesson plan ideas all relate to all the songs, and  are appropriate for children ages 3-7 years of age.
Additional Teacher Tools
Use the guide with tips on how to teach performance and how to adapt this play to your teaching needs.
Use the individual student identification to help you see the strengths of each of your students.

SONG LIST

YANKEE DOODLE
COME GO WITH ME
THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
DOWN THE RIVER
PAW-PAW PATCH
THERE’S A LITTLE WHEEL A-TURNIN
TWO IN A BOAT
THE OLD BRASS WAGON
RAINBOW CRADLE
MY HOME’S IN MONTANA
THE BEAR
COMING ROUND THE MOUNTAIN
PRAIRIE RABBIT
OUR TRAIN
AMERICA (MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE)