Older Children
Prep: paper bags with 10 shakers each under the teacher’s chairs.
Tell the children “Here’s the pattern.” (They don’t have the shakers yet.) Demonstrate shake, shake, tap, shake, around the back, hold.
Tell the children “Follow the pattern, pretending to hold a shaker.” Start doing the pattern, and once you have done it once, start to sing as you shake the pattern. “If you don’t walk as most people do, some people walk away from you. etc.” Continue singing and doing the pattern until you can see that most of the children can do the pattern. Stop singing and ask the teachers to pass out a shaker to each child. Even before each child has a shaker, start the pattern, asking the children to follow you (this transition keeps the children who already have a shaker interested and engaged).
Sing the song as you shake the pattern. Occasionally as you reach the end of the phrase, call out “Freeze!” Then start back into the pattern and the song. This gives the children who might be struggling a chance to catch up, keeps the children for whom this is easy on their toes and watching, and keeps the group together.
The children are engaged moving to the gentle beat, concentrating on the pattern, and letting the words of the song slip into the backdoor of their memory.
Teri Garritson
Love your ideas!!
Cathy Vosloo
Thank you. The primary president was very surprised when we sang three new songs last week using all your lovely ideas. The children already know parts of the songs and more importantly they enjoyed singing time.
Laurie
Do you have a video to demonstrate how to do the pattern?
Sharla Dance
I have a full workshop video which is available now. http://teachingprimarymusic.com/2019-workshop-video-available/ I will see if I have or can make an egg shaker specific one.
Lynn Allen Slocum
Sharla, with this pattern, do you suggest if you start with egg in right hand and end in left hand on the hold, to transfer the egg back to the right hand to continue the pattern or start the pattern then on the left hand?
Dawn W
Yikes! I’m feeling all left hands! I always love your rhythm ideas, and the kids learn the songs so quickly using them – could you post a video of this song? (Please) 🙂
Sharla Dance
Dear Dawn, I have had a series of surgeries so I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you. Are you still hoping for a video of the song?
Sally Bird
I heard that a 2019 workshop video was available. I can not seem to find it any where. Please help.
Nancy Wells
I am watching your 2019 workshop. Can you please tell us how you made your tennis ball shakes? I love all of your ideas!
Sharla Dance
Slit with an exacto knife on one of the seams, drop in 4 or 5 BBs, super glue it shut. Getting the BBs in was the hardest part!
Joan Harris
Nancy Wells mentioned watching the 2019 video! I’ve been waiting to hear of its release! Is it available for purchase?
Sharla Dance
It is available now! http://teachingprimarymusic.com/2019-workshop-video-available/