Repetition and Contrast:  Form in the Arts

Music Poetry Dance Visual Arts

by

Janelle Ganey

Level:  Third Grade
Duration:  One class period per activity

The Problem

Create visual representations of ABA form in each of the following art forms:

Poetry
	Dance
		Visual Arts

Introduction

We have already done a lot of work with ABA form.  You may recall these songs:

Goin' to Ride Up in the Chariot
Little David, Play on Your Harp
Over the Sea to Skye

and these pieces of music:

Classical Symphony, Third Movement by Prokofiev
In a Mountain Path arranged by Han Kuo-huang

We have also created pieces of music in this form.  Some of the dances we have done are in ABA form.  In this project you will explore this form in other arts:  poetry, dance and the visual arts.  The activities in this section will help you to get ready to create your own ABA works.

A song which is very familiar to everyone is "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".  Sing the song to yourself and listen for the ABA form.  Now look at the text in poem form:                         

Which pairs of lines are the same?

One way to show the form is to use letters:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.            A
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.               B
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.            A

Place your cursor on the button and click. This button will connect you to a Word document which you will print after you have completed it.

Now you are ready to create your own ABA poem.  Click on this button for instructions.

Another way to show form is to use:

 Symbols

or

Pictures

or

Your Own Art Work

Take a little test to see if you understand how to recognize ABA form in visual representations.  Click on the button below to get to the test.

For this project you will choose one of three options for creating your own visual ABA.  One option is to use the computer drawing feature.  The second one is to surf the internet to find pictures or clip art you can use.  The third is to use regular art materials.  Click on one of the buttons to find directions for the option you choose:

Next you are going to create a dance to show ABA form.  You may do it in one of two ways.  The first way is to use clip art animations from the web to show your steps.  In this case your dancers will be in rows.  You will change the pattern of steps for your B section.  The second way is to use the draw toolbar to show make a diagram of what you will do.  So choose one of these and click the button that will take you to your instructions.  Have fun!