Trashin' the Camp (Disney's "Tarzan") | Free Music Lesson Plan (AABA Form)

Music Lesson Plan

Step 1
Ask the students, "Who knows the name of this Disney song?" They should raise their hand as soon as they know it.

Step 2
Tell the students, "We’re learning about musical form today. Form has to do with how music is put together. As we listen again, I'll write letters on the board to label each section."

Step 3
Start the recording.

Step 4
Label the form on the board: Introduction - A - A - B - A.

Step 5
Stop the recording.

Step 6
Tell the students, "Let's learn a dance to the music! Each section of the music has a different move. When the music sounds different, the dance will be different."

Step 7
Begin with the movement for the first A section.

Step 8
Step to the right for 8 counts: Side-Together-Side-Together-Side-Together-Side-Together. Step to the left for 8 counts: Side-Together-Side-Together-Side-Together-Side-Together. Repeat this pattern until the vocalist sings "Do Bop She Do." On this cue, students rotate once in a circle with jazz hands.

Step 9
Try section A with the recording.

Step 10
Teach the movement for the B section.

Step 11
Step backward for 4 counts: Back-Two-Three-Flip. On the flip, students jump in the air and turn around to change direction. Repeat this pattern until the drums perform a triplet rhythm.

Step 12
When the drums perform the triplet rhythm, have students recite along with the rhythm in a loud voice. "Tarzan the Man - Tarzan the Man - Tarzan the Monkey Goes AHHHH (Tarzan Yell)!"

Step 13
Repeat A section movement. Since this final A section is slightly longer, repeat the rotation with jazz hands until the music ends. When the music "falls apart" at the very end, everyone falls down!

Step 14
Once the A and B sections are mastered, add the movement for the introduction.

Step 15
Ask students to pretend they are elephants by bending over and making a trunk with their right arm. Left hand crossed over to hold right upper arm.

Step 16
Hold this pose for the first few measures of the music.

Step 17
When students hear the elephant sound in the recording, they respond with their own elephant sound.

Step 18
When the drums enter with a steady pulse, students should jump up and down like monkeys.

Check for Understanding

Ask students to sit with their heads down and eyes closed. Listen to the recording again. Each time they hear the A section, they should raise their hand. Each time they hear the B section, they should place their hands on their head.

Questions:

"Was the last A section longer than the first two A sections?"
"What made the last A section longer?"
"Why was the A section different than the B section?"
"What does the introduction tell us about the music?" (Tempo, Style, etc.)

Closure and Evaluation

Ask the students to perform the dance for their homeroom teacher to demonstrate their listening skills and understanding of musical form.