The P.E.A.C.E. Projects is an initiative to sponsor and mentor early childhood educators in promoting peace education for young children in the classroom and/or community.
P.E.A.C.E. Projects 2025
Submitted by Karen Kosko and Brian Quinn
The 2025 Stories Through Song award was very successful this year. The four 4th grade classrooms at the Grahams and Park School in Cambridge had the wonderful opportunity to work with Kim Moberg for 2 sessions in April. Kim and Heather Swanson performed for families at the Cambridge Public Library at the end of May.
The grant aligns itself with the P.E.A.C.E. Mission of creating a nonviolent, just, inclusive, and respectful world. Over the years Folk New England has established a relationship with Cambridge teachers and the Cambridge Library staff who understand the importance of folk music in our cultural history. The 65 fourth graders knew several of the songs Kim Moberg presented and had wonderful questions for Kim about the music she covered and the music she has written.
We are enclosing some of the images of the sessions and a few videos. We are also including a few thank you notes created by students:
Dear Kim, thank you for coming to our classroom to sing, I really liked the songs you sing — I especially loved singing along. You have a beautiful voice and you’re very good at guitar! Once again thank you for coming in. Love, Saya!
Dear Kim, 5/1/25 Thank you for coming to our class and singing with us. I really loved when you showed us your seven Fires song, and I love that you wrote it about special beliefs and traditions. Sincerely, Anders.
There are a few statements from the teachers and Kim. At the end of each session Kim greeted each child individually and offered a memory stone for them to keep. Kim stressed caring, justice and mutual respect within ourselves, others, and in our environment. She shared a song she wrote about trees.
From the Concert on 5/28:
Hello, thank you again for arranging a lovely concert with Kim. Please give her our regards and gratitude for sharing her music!
Comments:
- Wow! I think I heard that song when I was in my mom’s belly.
- I know this song because I sang it before.
- Thanks so much! What a nice surprise.
- It was beautiful music!
Staff Feedback:
Cambridge Public Library was pleased to host award-winning musician Kim Moberg for a free folk concert for children and families. 32 attendees joined us to enjoy classic folk songs, treasured favorites, and original music. What a fun program for children of all ages, I hope we can bring Kim back to the library soon! Thank you to Folk New England and peaceeducators.org for their generous support!
Thanks! Meagan, Manager of Youth Services, Cambridge Public Library
From Kim Moberg: What an absolute joy it was to visit and sing with the 4th graders at the Graham & Parks school! It was awesome to see the students so engaged and inquisitive about the music, the songwriting process and the stories I shared through the songs. My program focused on my original songs along with Folk songs from the 1960’s to the present that focus on the beauty of our differences.
From Kim Moberg: What an absolute joy it was to visit and sing with the 4th graders at the Graham & Parks school! It was awesome to see the students so engaged and inquisitive about the music, the songwriting process and the stories I shared through the songs. My program focused on my original songs along with Folk songs from the 1960’s to the present that focus on the beauty of our differences.
I was impressed by the number of the folk songs the students were familiar with and how excited they were to sing along. Their teacher did a fabulous job of playing recorded versions of the songs for them before the program and making sure the song lyrics were projected to make it easy for the student to sing along.
I was equally excited by the enthusiasm shown by the parents, caregivers and young people at the Cambridge Public Library show! They loved the violin accompaniment provided by my friend Heather Swanson. Folk music teaches empathy and helps show people that they are not alone in their thoughts and experiences.
I believe that Folk music is a living, breathing art form passed on from generation to generation. Each generation gets to add their own unique chapters to the stories shared. Bringing live Folk music to young people through their classrooms and libraries shows the students how they can access their own artistic voices through song. Thank you for supporting such an important program for these young students!
With gratitude, — Kim Moberg
Testimonials for Kim Moberg’s program:
The Graham and Parks 4th grade team has enjoyed partnering with Folk New England over the years and inviting Kim Moberg into our school the past two years. Kim’s music program is the perfect blend of inspiring covers and original songs that all speak to the power of music to make positive change. Songs can help children build self-confidence, share their identities, and make the world a better place. Kim Moberg’s music met these goals and brought a smile to the faces of students and teachers alike!
Jocelyn Marshall (pronouns: she/her) Grade 4 Teacher
We have benefited enormously from our longstanding partnership with Folk New England. This year, during a turbulent historical moment, it felt especially meaningful to be able to hear Kim Moberg sing and tell us stories of hope, community, and change. Her stories of her journey to reclaim her connection to her Tlingit culture were also extremely powerful for our students, who come from all over the world and have also wrestled with complex identities. Last but not least, our students loved the opportunity to sing along!
Karen Engles 4th Grade Teacher
From the school’s newsletter: Musician Kim Moberg’s Grade 4 Visit!
We had a great time with visiting musician Kim Moberg, who came to us thanks to a special grant from Folk New England! Kim was born in Juneau, Alaska, the daughter of a mother of Alaskan Native Tlingit descent and a US Coast Guard veteran father from Kansas. Her mission is to connect people in empathy and social consciousness through the storytelling power of Folk Music. Kim will also be performing at the Cambridge Public Library next month. Check out this amazing free performance!
Thank you to the Peace Project Committee.
We are extremely grateful, Karen Kosko & Brian Quinn
