This song was written by Shan Cowan. It was designed to sing with individual learners who need to practise switch access activities. You could, of course, use it with groups who all have a shaker/noisemaker.
It is short, so the learner can request many repetitions.
It is very interactive.
The mild ‘rough and tumble’ element makes it fun and motivating.
You can vary the words according to what noisemakers you have available e.g.
Shaking, shaking, shaking the tambourine.
Scraping, scraping, scraping the guiro
I have made my ‘rattletops’ out of a loop of elastic with plastic milk container tops strung along it. You can safely pierce each top by pushing down on it with an awl, onto a bread board, or similar surface. Each pair of tops should face together to increase the volume of sound. The two handles at each end are made from clear plastic tubing, available from DIY shops. The handle can be adjusted to make it easier to hold, or the learner can be assisted to hold it, if he/she chooses to.
This is how we use it.
Place a switch cap symbol on a simple voice output switch.
Record the first line of the song into the switch –Shaking, shaking, shaking the rattletops.
When the learner has activated the switch and sung the first line, you continue singing the song whilst shaking the rattletops between you. You can adjust how vigorously you shake according to the response of the learner.
When the song is finished, you wait expectantly for the learner to activate the switch again.
There are many other ways of using this song. The learner could request more by looking to a symbol/photo, making eye contact with you, shaking the hand that is holding the rattletops or by vocalising.
We usually have such fun that the activity can go on a long time.
Remember to stop before the learner gets bored.
