FWCD’s Musical Carts

To say FWCD’s return to learning in August 2020 required faculty to think outside the box is an understatement. Mask wearing, temperature checks, socially distanced classrooms, enhanced cleaning protocols, one-way traffic patterns in hallways, seating charts and more became the norm. In Lower School, all “specials” teachers were charged with coming into grade-level classrooms rather than using their own.

It was Lower School Music Teacher Karla Dunning who came up with the idea to use a mobile cart filled with music materials. “When I’ve taught in various scenarios traveling to classrooms in the past, it’s been easier to have some sort of permanent rolling set-up with everything I could need for all classes,” Dunning said, “because every lesson plan needs materials of some sort, and a good teacher needs materials for Plan B just in case! So I was watching my online music teacher groups for ideas. I was specifically looking for something with deep sides or drawers, because rolling across sidewalks can rattle everything, and a top that closes, because we sometimes need to go between buildings in rain.”

A friend ultimately shared a “rolling toolbox,” and Dunning presented the idea to Director of Fine Arts Chelsy Beninate and Head of Lower School Trey Blair and the Musical Carts of FWCD were launched with Julie Dean, Lower School Music Teacher, and Dunning.

Both Dunning and Dean are having fun with their carts, which they have named Banana Boat and Sparky, respectively. The carts contain everything Dunning and Dean may need for class, including their technology, portable speaker, personal mic and amplifier. They also hold their own individual music kits that match the ones they made for the students. Those kits include pipe cleaners, scarves, pencils to use as drum sticks, and lots of picture cards to use when listening to music. Dunning also carries around a few puppets that help explore voice ranges, musical storybooks and a tambourine. Dean brings a drum she fashioned for her third- and fourth-graders (read more on page 39).

Music has not been a technology-rich class in the past, but Dean and Dunning have learned to embrace technology in their teaching. “Other than using recordings and occasional videos, we had rarely used technology before this year,” they noted. “With our instruments and voices, we had all we needed for engaging musical experiences. However, this experience has taught us that technology is essential to connect with blended-learning students who are Zooming in from home.”

Both teachers have enjoyed the energy and eagerness for learning that the in-person and blended learners have displayed. “I think we are all a little more thankful to be able to be learning together,” they said. “ Our goals for the students haven’t changed — we hope to inspire them to be lifelong music makers, in whatever capacity they love. Our jobs right now are to give them the experiences and tools to take with them as they grow.”