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Unit:  Elements of Music

Lesson:  Introduction to Form - AB and ABA

Grades:  5,6

Objectives:
- Students will view an interactive Quicktime movie that explains the basic properties of musical form including AB and ABA
- Students will understand the basic differences between the two forms and be able to recognize them by critical listening

Materials:
- Digital Projector or an adapter hooking a local computer to a TV
- Quicktime software on your computer - Available here if you don't already have it built in...
- Interactive Quicktime Movie on Form - Right click to save to your desktop

Procedure:

1.  Walk students through the Quicktime movie on form, first explaining AB form. 
2.  Demonstrate the examples of the Bach composition and 'Louie, Louie' - have students raise their hands at the different sections
3.  Ask students why the different sections are like rooms in a house
4.  Sing together 'I've been working on the railroad' with the lyrics in the movie, recognizing AB form
5.  Go on to explain ABA form and the reason for it being called 'rounded binary' - explain that this form is circular because it returns to the A form.
6.  Play the ABA portion of the 'Maple Leaf Rag'.  Optional:  Explain the history of ragtime music and Scott Joplin
7.  Sing the folk song 'Alouette' in French using the music and lyrics provided in the movie.  Have students visualize the ABA form and then allow the movie to point out where the A and B sections are. 
8.  Share with students the symetrical nature of form after they have viewed the presentation
9.  Review with students as they take notes