Submitted by Joni Kotche, Bloomingdale, Illinois

Idea posted March 25, 2002

I just did this activity with several grade levels and special needs children and they ALL could do it. This could work on a Talent Day.

Use the song "My Backpack" from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 1. On the "refrain" (My Backpack. On my back. My back... pack. My backpack. For my stuff. Just enough. My back... pack. My backpack.), have the children shake maracas (egg shakers, whatever) counting 1, 2, 3, 4. Then rest 1, 2, 3, 4. Then shake 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. to the end of the refrain. It works well (DON'T follow the rhythm of the words... this was the challenge).

It sounds really cool, and the children love something as simple as using a shaker. Hope you like the idea.