Art Form: Music

Supplies Needed

Thank You, Omu! book

Vocabulary

Body percussion ostinato - Using the body to create
sounds in a repeated pattern (e.g., snap, clap, pat, stamp)

Steady beat - Consistent pulse; “heartbeat” of music

Tempo - Speed of the beat

Rhythm - Long and short sounds

Phrase - Musical sentence

Rest - Silence

Instructions

1. Read the book and talk about the main idea.

2. Look at the first page and read what Omu says (leave out “Omu said”).

3. Pat the steady beat using a moderate tempo (medium speed). Change to a pat-clap pattern. Keep repeating this steady beat pattern (body percussion ostinato).

4. Now read Omu’s words using a rhythm. See if you can say these words in an interesting rhythm that lasts for 12 beats. Sometimes, you’ll say several syllables in a single beat! Slow the tempo if needed.

5. Continue reading the book. Each time you get to a place where Omu speaks, say her words in a rhythm. Sometimes you’ll say the words in a 4-beat phrase and other times it will take 8 beats. Sometimes you will end your phrase with a rest.

6. When you read this way, notice how most of the book is read without a rhythm or steady beat, but when Omu speaks, her words are in a rhythm.

Extensions

Say the title of the book in four beats using a rhythm. When you decide on the rhythm, say the title two times. Read the book saying the title twice (using your rhythm) whenever these words appear in the story.

Create a different body percussion ostinato to accompany Omu’s words.