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Garden Tales: Growing Stories and Friendships

Lesson Plan

Garden Tales Lesson Plan

Students will plant seeds and co-create a garden-themed story, exploring growth and friendship while practicing narrative skills and teamwork.

This lesson fosters social-emotional learning, literacy, and science by linking plant growth to personal growth and friendship, building community and cooperation.

Audience

Kindergarten–2nd Grade

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Hands-on planting and collaborative storytelling.

Materials

Garden Tales Slide Deck, Garden Tales Planting Activity, Garden Tales Reflection Journal, Small Pots, Potting Soil, Seeds (e.g., beans), Watering Cans, and Chart Paper and Markers

Prep

Review Materials and Setup

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Story Hook

10 minutes

  • Display the cover slide from the Garden Tales Slide Deck
  • Ask students: “What happens when we plant a seed?” and record responses under Plant Growth
  • Prompt: “How do friendships grow?” and record under Friendship Growth
  • Explain that today we’ll explore both through planting and storytelling

Step 2

Planting Activity

15 minutes

  • Give each student a pot, some soil, and seeds from the Garden Tales Planting Activity
  • Demonstrate how to fill the pot with soil, plant the seed, and water gently
  • As students work, ask them to imagine their seed as a character in a story and share one trait (e.g., courageous, kind)
  • Encourage students to name their seed-character

Step 3

Collaborative Storytelling

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups of 3–4
  • Provide each group with a sheet from the Garden Tales Planting Activity showing story prompts:
    • “Once upon a garden…”
    • “My seed-character meets a friend…”
    • “Together they…”
  • Invite groups to brainstorm and sketch key events on chart paper
  • Walk around to support ideas and encourage turn-taking

Step 4

Reflection and Journaling

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Garden Tales Reflection Journal
  • Prompt students to draw their seed-character and write (or dictate) one way their friendship can grow, mirroring plant growth
  • Circulate to assist with writing and drawing as needed

Step 5

Closing and Share Out

10 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share their journal entries and explain how their seed-characters and friendships will grow
  • Reinforce the connection: just like plants, friendships need care, patience, and kindness
  • Conclude by revisiting the chart paper and celebrating everyone’s ideas
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Slide Deck

Garden Tales: Growing Stories and Friendships

Explore plant growth and friendship through planting and storytelling!

Welcome students! Introduce today’s adventure: planting seeds and growing friendships through stories. Show the title slide to spark excitement.

What Happens When We Plant a Seed?

(Show a picture of a seed sprouting)
• How does it change?
• What does it need to grow?

Ask students: “What happens when we plant a seed?” Encourage answers and record them on chart paper under “Plant Growth.”

How Do Friendships Grow?

(Show friends playing together by a garden)
• What helps friendships grow?
• How do we care for friends?

Prompt: “How do friendships grow?” Collect student ideas and record under “Friendship Growth.” Highlight similarities with plant growth.

Step 1: Plant Your Seed

  1. Fill your pot with soil
  2. Place your seed in the center
  3. Cover gently and water

Guide students through the planting steps. Demonstrate how to fill the pot, plant the seed, and water gently.

Meet Your Seed-Character

• Name your seed-character
• Choose one special trait (e.g., kind, brave)

Invite students to imagine their seed as a character. Ask: “What is your seed’s name?” and “What special trait does it have?”

Story Starters

• “Once upon a garden…”
• “My seed-character meets a friend…”
• “Together they…”

Provide story prompts. Encourage groups to take turns adding ideas and sketching events.

Reflection Time

Draw your seed-character and write (or tell) one way friendships can grow, just like plants.

Hand out reflection journals (or paper). Guide students to draw their character and write or dictate one way friendships grow, like plants.

Let's Share!

Who would like to share their story or drawing?

Thank you for growing stories and friendships today!

Invite volunteers to share their drawings and friendship ideas. Reinforce that both gardens and friendships need care, patience, and kindness.

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Activity

Garden Tales Planting Activity

Materials Needed:

  • Small pot
  • Potting soil
  • Seed (e.g., bean)
  • Watering can or spray bottle
  • Pencil or crayon

1. Planting Steps

  1. Fill Your Pot
    Scoop soil into your pot until it’s almost full.

  2. Plant the Seed
    Gently press one seed into the center of the soil, about an inch deep.

  3. Cover and Water
    Sprinkle a little soil on top, then water softly until the soil feels damp.

  4. Name Your Seed-Character
    Write your seed’s name on the label or a popsicle stick and place it in your pot.

2. My Seed-Character Profile

My name: ____________________________

Seed-Character’s name: ____________________________

Special trait (choose one or add your own):

  • Brave
  • Kind
  • Curious
  • Creative

Draw your seed-character here:











Tell one thing your seed-character loves to do:






Teacher Tip:
While students plant, circulate and ask:

  • “Why did you choose that trait?”
  • “How will that trait help your seed grow?”

Use their ideas to guide the upcoming storytelling activity.

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Journal

Garden Tales Reflection Journal

Welcome to your reflection journal! Use the space below to think about your seed-character, your friendships, and how both can grow with care.

1. Draw Your Seed-Character

Draw the seed-character you planted today. What does it look like when it’s happy and healthy?











Seed-Character’s Name: _______________________________

2. My Seed-Character’s Special Trait

Describe the special trait you chose for your seed-character (for example, kind, brave, curious). Why did you pick that trait?






3. Growing Friendships Like Plants

Just like seeds need water and sunshine, friendships need care. Write one thing you did today to help a friendship grow, and explain why it’s important.






4. My Friendship Garden in the Future

Imagine your friendship garden one week from now. What will it look like? You can draw or describe the scene below.











Optional Drawing Title: _______________________________

Great work reflecting on your seed-character and friendships! Remember: with kindness, patience, and care, both plants and friendships will continue to grow.

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