At Salem Elementary, the sweet sounds of strings fill the air as young musicians take center stage — not just for their peers, but for the next generation of students. Thanks to a unique collaboration between pre-kindergarten classrooms and the Fifth Grade Strings program, students are experiencing the magic of music in an interactive and engaging way.
The initiative, spearheaded by music teacher Laura Parker and pre-K teacher Heather Jimerson, combines literature and music education in a way that benefits both age groups. Pre-K students read books like “Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!” by Lloyd Moss and “Violet’s Music” by Angela Johnson, which introduce musical instruments through storytelling. Then, the fifth grade musicians bring these instruments to life, sharing nursery rhymes and demonstrating how their instruments work.
The collaboration has become a tradition at Salem Elementary, with a culminating event featuring a “Mini-Concert and Instrument Petting Zoo.” During this event, pre-K students get an up-close experience with the instruments, ask questions, and even try out a few themselves under the guidance of their older peers.
“For our fifth graders, it’s a chance to be the ‘experts’ and share what they’ve learned,” Parker explained. “They gain confidence by teaching the younger students, and in turn, the pre-K students become engaged, inquisitive, and excited about music.”
This musical connection has also proven to be long-lasting. Parker has started seeing former pre-K participants sign up for Strings once they reach fifth grade, a testament to the program’s impact.
The idea for this collaboration originated from Parker’s desire to provide performance opportunities while strengthening the connection between music and reading. Choosing National Reading Month felt like a natural fit.
“In string orchestra, we read in many ways: musical notation, Italian terms, and even written instructions,” Parker said. “This program merges the reading of literature with the reading of music, making learning more meaningful for our students.”
For Parker, watching the interactions between her students is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program. “Seeing the fifth graders step into the role of teachers and watching the pre-K students light up with excitement — it’s truly special,” she said.
The ongoing support from Salem Elementary’s administration has helped ensure the program’s success, and Parker and her colleagues are eager to continue the tradition. As more students find inspiration in the strings, the melody of learning and mentorship at Salem Elementary will only continue to grow.
Lindsey Olinda is a library media specialist and school media liaison at Salem Elementary.
