Press Forward, Saints
All images Copyright 1997-1998 Christine Wardle.
May be used in conjunction with LDS Church Services and Primary Classes.

There are 3 different ideas I have come up with for this using the same art in the .zip file.
#1
#2
#3
1: "Wagon's Ho!"

You will need:

On a long piece of cardboard, paste or recreate a map of the pioneer trail from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake City. Paste a copy of the covered wagon on a piece of cardboard and cut out. Cut a slit in the main board along the pioneer trail. Attach the wagon to the trail like in the Sherlock Holmes game.

Under the trail, place the images you want to use for the verses.  (I am only including the first two because the third can be sung and understood better by the congregation during the program.)

As you teach the song, the wagon moves across the plains to it's final destination.  You can have certain pictures get "lost" along the trail (the kids love taking pictures away!) or use this idea without the pictures as an incentive game.

2: "Blackboard Wagon"
Since I am only teaching the kids two verses, I kinda like this idea the best.

You will need:

Optional: use two pieces of posterboard and no brads (just paste the pictures clockwise on the wheels)

On the upper circles, draw wagon wheels.  Between two spokes, cut a wedge shape out (or, if you are using just two pieces of board, paste the picture inbetween the spokes).  This should give you a nice window.  On the bottom "wheels", paste the pictures you want to use. Use the wheel with a window for placement.  As the wheel turns, you should see a whole image in the window. Attach the top "wheel" to the bottom circle by putting a brad through the center.

Over a portable chalkboard, drape the sheet. You can also fold the sheet in half and tack it to the cork strip along the top of a wall-mounted chalkboard. Hang the wheels at the bottom of the sheet, gathering the sheet if you'd like, to make the "wagon".

As you teach the song, the wheels will turn to show the pictures you need.  The children can help turn the wheels, and change the pace of the song. (Be sure to warn your pianist before doing this! :P)

3: "Moving Scenery"

You will need:

This might take a little bit of time to do, but you can involve the smaller of your two groups to get it done in a jiffy!

Staple the wide end of the butcher paper to one of the dowels.  Leave 3" of dowel at the top and bottom for handles. On the paper, either you draw or have the shildren draw scenery depicting the trek West.  Over the scenery, glue the images you want to use.  At the end of your scroll, cut off the paper and staple to the other dowel.  Roll up the scroll on one dowel.

Have one child hold the rolled-up end of the dowel and another hold the other end.  The one with the empty end will pull the scroll open as you sing. The children will love to see their own handiwork, and they can change the speed of the song by pulling fast or slow.  As the kids learn the song, open the scroll only part way or roll up both ends to show only a certain part of the song.


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