Create “authentic” pioneer clothing for your chime choir to wear! Your primary will enjoy dressing up like pioneers as they sing and play Little Pioneer Children using this singing time idea!
Pioneer Gear
Go all out and dress your primary in some pioneer gear! All you need are a few paper grocery bags! {Or actual pioneer clothes work great too if you happen to have those lying around!}
Cut a boy’s vest to look like this:
And a girl’s pinafore/apron to look like this:
Both are made similarly:
Take your paper bag and flatten it so the sides are poking out instead of inward. Then flatten the bottom of the bag which will become the top. Don’t worry about munching the corners as you’ll be discarding these parts anyway.
Then take that top flap (the bottom part of the bag) and fold it up so it aligns with the other top part.
For the vests, cut off the corners to make armholes. Then cut up the front and around the back of the neck to shape it into a vest.
Then turn it inside out and fringe the bottom:
For the pinafores:
Fold it the same way you did the vests. Cut corners of both sides. When you cut, cut about an inch into the front, past the crease so it will be a little thinner on the chest.
TIP: Tape the neck portions on the vest and pinafore for reinforcement.
Make enough vests and pinafores for each chime player to wear one when or make one for the entire primary!
Pioneer Activity
Or better yet, have Primary children create their own vests and pinafores at a Primary activity (or Activity Days)!
Little Pioneer Children Chimes Chart
Now that you have your outfits, you need your music! Little Pioneer Children has a fun descant that is perfect to play using chimes!!
Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Singing Time Idea
More Pioneer Day Chime Charts
Scroll through all the chime/handbell charts I have for the pioneer songs listed in the Children’s Songbook HERE.
More Pioneer Day Singing Time Ideas
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Little Pioneer Children.
7 thoughts on “Little Pioneer Children Singing Time Ideas”
Just wondering how this bell chart works? Is it one bell per word, or are we supposed to wait for certain words? Also, I noticed that some of the letters have a II next to it, does that mean to do it twice? (Sry, bell newbie here)
Hi Hailey,
It's easiest if you look at the music here while I explain:
https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/little-pioneer-children-round?lang=eng&_r=1
The handbell note chart I have posted play the "optional music for round accompaniment or additional instruments" line – there are no words associated with this music. If you notice the time signature is 6/8 – so you can conduct the song in a 2 beat pattern. The little lines in the corner (I and II) indicate the counting. Each note gets one count that has a "I" and the notes that have "II" will get 2 counts. The handbell music comes in right when the melody starts so they begin together.
If you listen to the music online, that may help you hear that optional melody. I hope that helps some :).
~Camille
HI Camille,
I see the above notation and wanted to also ask if the pianist is playing the melody for the kids to sing along as you direct the pipe chimes for the optional accompaniment? Are you pointing to the colored notes as you have kids play them as well as the other kids singing along? If so, how do you manage that? Is there someone leading the singing as you lead the chimes? Do you have those kids come up and play or just stay at their seats and watch you as you point to the chimes chart? Sorry, just a little confused but I really want to try this and make it successful as it sounds like you have been doing this for awhile and know how to manage?
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I think I answered some of your questions on your other comment, but want to comment here as well in case others have the same questions.
Check out my post here which has more details:
http://camillesprimaryideas.com/2012/07/using-handbells-in-primary.html
But to directly answer your question, the pianist plays the melody only. I direct the optional accompaniment. I point to the colored notes with a wooden dowel for the kids to play. The kids without bells are singing, being directed by another leader (usually a primary presidency member). The kids all stay seated and we pass bells, usually every other child has a bell so that way everyone gets a turn every other time we sing. The bells are passed in a big "S" shape through the primary with the child in the back brining their bell up to the front.
If you have more questions, please let me know.
~Camille
Thanks. That makes more sense. Do your kids know this song already? I'm assuming we need to have them sing it through a couple times without bells first but do ever have them sing the descant also to be familiar with that or just let them experience that with the chimes while singing the melody? Also, is this something sunbeams can do? I do have music sticks I could have them play to the beat if chimes are not for them.
My primary doesn't know this song. I'll just have them sing it through twice and maybe listen to in on cd. We never sing the descant line, only the melody. Sunbeams love the bells/chimes….just never expect perfection. Most of them will play their instrument whether it's their turn or not and for me, that's totally ok as long as they are engaged. This lesson plan is only to expose them to a pioneer song in a fun way, not to memorize or drill like we do with program songs.
Camille,
This makes way more sense with the I and II, I can see it in the length of the notes in the descant, and I would just have them ring the bell where the notes in the descant are. I see! I have never done this before and appreciate your help. Especially all the prep to make the bell charts. Thank you!!