Garden of Growth Stories

Tamara peay

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Garden of Growth Stories Lesson Plan

Students will create and share stories about a magical garden where plants symbolize positive traits, enhancing narrative skills and emotional awareness.

This lesson fosters creative expression and emotional growth by connecting feelings to relatable garden imagery, making abstract concepts accessible.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

2 sessions x 45 minutes

Approach

Interactive storytelling and guided creative sessions.

Materials

Lesson Plan, and Slide Deck

Prep

Preparation for Garden of Growth Stories

30 minutes

Review the Lesson Plan and accompanying Slide Deck.
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of storytelling and emotional labeling using garden imagery.
Prepare examples of plants representing emotions (e.g., a sunflower for happiness, a sturdy oak for resilience).
Set up the classroom environment to encourage creative expression.

Step 1

Session 1: Introduction and Story Brainstorming

45 minutes

Begin with an interactive discussion on different emotions and positive traits.
Introduce the concept of a magical garden where each plant symbolizes an emotion or positive trait.
Show visuals from the Slide Deck to spark ideas.
Guide students in brainstorming various plants and their associated emotions.
Have students sketch their ideas on paper.

Step 2

Session 2: Story Development and Sharing

45 minutes

Start with a quick review of the previous session's brainstorming ideas.
In small groups or pairs, students develop a short story featuring their magical garden.
Encourage creativity in linking plants with feelings and narrative arcs.
Allow time for voluntary sharing of stories with the class.
Conclude with a reflective discussion on how expressing emotions through storytelling can help understand and cope with feelings.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to the Garden of Growth Stories

Today, we will explore a magical garden where every plant has a special meaning. What do you think a flower might say about happiness? Let's find out!

Welcome the students and introduce the theme of a magical garden where each plant represents a positive trait or emotion. Mention that the purpose is to explore creativity and connect feelings with natural elements.

Discovering Our Garden

Imagine a garden where:

A sunflower represents happiness
A sturdy oak stands for resilience
A rose might show love

What other plants can you think of and what might they represent?

Provide an overview of the story activity. This slide introduces the idea that each plant symbolizes a positive trait or emotion. Engage students by asking them to think of examples.

Brainstorming Emotions & Traits

Think about different emotions and traits:

What plant symbolizes kindness for you?
Which one shows bravery?

Take a moment to jot down your ideas and even sketch your own garden!

Encourage brainstorming. Ask students to sketch their ideas and write down the emotions each plant represents. Remind them that there's no right or wrong answer.

Building Your Story

In small groups, share your ideas and choose a few plants to develop a magical garden story together.

Remember: Combine your plants with a fun storyline about adventures, challenges, and growth.

Transition slide for moving from individual brainstorming to group work. Remind students that in pairs or small groups they will build a story featuring these elements.

Story Development & Sharing

Develop your magical garden story with a beginning, middle, and end.

When sharing:

Explain your garden's magical qualities
Describe what each plant represents

Get ready to share your creation with the class!

Prepare students for story sharing. Encourage each group to present their story. Suggest that they focus on both the narrative and the meaning behind each plant.

Reflect & Grow

What did you learn about your own feelings?
How did the plants help you express your emotions?

Let's discuss together and celebrate our creative growth!

Wrap up the session by reflecting on how linking emotions to plants can help in understanding our own feelings. Ask students what they learned and how they felt during the activity.