Grade 8 - Structure (Form and the Principles of Design)

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will create, listen to, and perform music, demonstrating understanding of a variety of forms and the principles of design.

It is expected that students will:

identify an expanded variety of music forms
apply a variety of music forms and principles of design to composition
represent the form of a piece of music
use appropriate terminology to describe form and the principles of design
compare and contrast the form of two or more music compositions

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Structures (Form and the Principles of Design) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Create and perform a composition or soundscape that has a definite form (e.g., ABA) reflected in rhythm, melody, and the elements of expression.
Create a composition demonstrating the principles of design using pre-recorded music material (e.g., MIDI sequences).
Listen to a range of compositions, and compare and contrast use of form. Chart or graph the form of one composition.
Create a composition using a variety of sound sources (e.g., acoustic, electronic, environmental), demonstrating each of the principles of design.
Students listen to recorded examples of different forms of like music (e.g., blues 12-bar, 8-bar, 16-bar; popverse-chorus, verse-chorus-bridge). Students learn to perform a standard form (e.g., 12-bar blues pattern).
Brainstorm examples of the principles of design from other fine arts subjects and discuss their relationship to music. Create non-musical representations (e.g., narrative, poetry, dance, drawing, sculpture, dramatization) of a musical form.
Listen to music examples and analyse the use of the principles of design as applied to each of the elements of rhythm, melody, and expression.
Develop personal dictionaries of music terminology including vocabulary related to the form and principles of design (e.g., motif, intro, verse, chorus, bridge).
Listen to examples of form from a range of historical time periods, and compare and contrast to forms used in contemporary popular music.
Experiment with the use of computer technology in music composition and design.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

After students listen to two contrasting musical selections and identify the form used in each selection, check their work for evidence they understand and can apply appropriate terminology to describe form.
Have students chart the form of a composition to demonstrate their ability to identify a variety of music forms.
Have students demonstrate their ability to apply a variety of music forms to composition by creating their own compositions. Have them reflect on their work, responding in their journals to prompts such as:
- Describe how the form of your piece is reflected in rhythm, melody, and other elements of expression.
- How are elements of expression used to demonstrate the principles of design?
Have students listen to or improvise simple lines over a given form. Have the other students close their eyes and shout "HOME!" when the student reaches the beginning of the form. Observe students participating. Do they recognize the chord changes and the form by ear?