Lesson Plan
Trust Tree Teacher Guide
Students will define trustworthiness and list two personal actions that build trust in the classroom community.
Building trust fosters a safe, supportive classroom where students feel valued and responsible for one another. Learning honesty and making positive personal choices strengthens relationships and collaboration.
Audience
3rd Grade Elementary Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Narrative story, collaborative discussion, reflection, and craft.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut enough Leaf Pledge Craft templates for each student
- Open Growing Trust Slides on your presentation device
- Review the Narrated Tree Story Script and mark key pause points
- Gather any needed seating cushions or floor markers for the warm-up area
Step 1
Mindful Breathing Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Invite students to sit or stand under an "imaginary tree" (mark a space on the floor).
- Lead three deep breaths: inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth.
- Explain that just like breathing keeps us grounded, trust keeps our class strong and connected.
Step 2
Story Narration
8 minutes
- Introduce trustworthiness by showing the first slide of Growing Trust Slides.
- Read the Narrated Tree Story Script, pausing to ask:
- "How do you think the tree felt when its friend was honest?"
- "What would you do if you were the leaf?"
Step 3
Class Discussion and Reflection
10 minutes
- Display a blank tree image on the slide deck.
- Ask students to share examples of honesty and trust they’ve seen in class.
- Hand each student a leaf template from Leaf Pledge Craft.
- Prompt: "Write two actions you can choose to show you’re trustworthy."
- Offer sentence starters on the board for support (e.g., "I will always tell the truth when…").
Step 4
Leaf Pledge Craft
5 minutes
- Provide crayons or markers for students to decorate their leaves.
- Students write or illustrate their two trust-building actions clearly.
- Encourage unique designs to make each pledge personal and memorable.
Step 5
Group Sharing and Closing
2 minutes
- Invite a few volunteers to share their leaf pledges with the class.
- Remind students to display their leaf pledges at their desks as a daily reminder.
- Tell students tomorrow they’ll add more leaves as our Trust Tree continues to grow.
Slide Deck
Secrets of the Trust Tree
Today’s Objective:
• Define trustworthiness
• Identify two actions that build trust in our classroom communitym
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today we’ll learn about trust by imagining a special tree that grows stronger when we’re honest. Point out the lesson objective.
Mindful Breathing Warm-Up
Under our “imaginary tree,” let’s:
- Inhale slowly through the nose
- Exhale gently through the mouth
- Notice how calm and connected we feel
Guide students to stand or sit under our “imaginary tree” space. Lead three deep breaths together. Emphasize how breathing grounds us and trust does the same for our class.
The Story of the Trust Tree
Once upon a time, a little leaf was afraid to tell the truth…
(Show image of anxious leaf)
But when the leaf finally spoke honestly, the Trust Tree grew brighter and stronger.
Tell the story using the Narrated Tree Story Script. Pause at the highlighted questions. Show corresponding visuals if available.
Discussion Questions
• How do you think the tree felt when its friend was honest?
• What would you do if you were that leaf?
• Can you share a time you saw someone tell the truth?
Display this slide and invite volunteers to share. Use their answers to highlight the importance of honesty and trust.
Our Class Trust Tree
[Insert blank tree image here]
Think of two actions you can take to show you’re trustworthy.
Write or draw them on your leaf.
Hand out leaf templates now. Ask students to write or draw two trust-building actions. Encourage them to think of things they can do every day.
Leaf Pledge Craft
• Decorate your leaf with colors and drawings
• Write two ways you will build trust:
Explain craft supplies and expectations. Remind students this is their personal pledge. Circulate to support spelling or ideas.
Group Sharing & Closing
• Volunteers share one pledge each
• Display your leaf at your desk
• Tomorrow, we’ll add more leaves as our tree grows!
Invite a few students to share their pledges. Remind everyone to place their leaves at their desk or on our class Trust Tree display.
Script
Narrated Tree Story Script
Teacher: “Everyone, please gather under our imaginary tree. Today, I want to share a special story about a magical Trust Tree and one little leaf who learns a big lesson about honesty and trustworthiness. Let’s begin.”
Teacher: “Once upon a time, in a bright and peaceful forest, lived a grand old tree called the Trust Tree. Its branches were thick with glossy green leaves that glowed whenever someone told the truth. The forest creatures looked up to this tree because it kept everyone feeling safe and connected.”
Teacher: “High on one branch lived a small, eager leaf named Lila. Lila loved to shine and show off her bright color. Every morning, she would whisper ‘Good morning!’ to the sunrise and bask in the warm light. The Trust Tree’s branches hummed softly, happy to see Lila so cheerful.”
Teacher: “One sunny day, a sudden gust of wind kicked up a swirl of leaves and dust. In the confusion, Lila bumped into her friend Rocky the squirrel, and Rocky tumbled off a low branch, falling onto a soft bed of moss. Rocky felt okay, but he was startled and upset. Nearby, Owlbert the owl saw everything happen and flew down to check on Rocky.”
Teacher: “When Owlbert asked what happened, Lila felt scared. She didn’t want to get in trouble for knocking her friend. So Lila shook and whispered, ‘It wasn’t me—an invisible breeze knocked him!’”
(Pause for effect)
Teacher: “As soon as Lila told that lie, the Trust Tree grew quiet. Its leaves lost their glow and turned a dull gray.”
Teacher: “Imagine how Lila felt inside when the tree went silent. What would you do if you were the leaf?”
Teacher: “Lila’s heart sank. She looked up at Owlbert and Rocky, who were now puzzled. Her tummy twisted with guilt. After a moment, Lila took a deep leaf-breath and said in a small but honest voice, ‘I’m sorry—Rocky, it was me who bumped you.’”
Teacher: “Right then, something magical happened. The Trust Tree’s leaves brightened, glowing one by one until every leaf shimmered like a million little stars. The forest felt warm and safe again.”
Teacher: “How do you think the tree felt when its friend was honest?”
Teacher: “Lila realized that honesty brought back the tree’s beautiful glow—and made her heart feel lighter, too. From that day on, Lila promised to tell the truth, even when it felt scary. And the Trust Tree grew stronger and more radiant every single day because its friends knew they could count on each other.”
Teacher: “That’s the end of our story. Remember: telling the truth helps our class Trust Tree shine bright!”
Activity
Leaf Pledge Craft Template
Print this page and cut out each leaf along the outer edge. Each student will use one leaf to write their personal trust pledges and decorate.
Inside your leaf, write two ways you will build trust:
Now, decorate your leaf! Use crayons or markers to add color, patterns, or small drawings around your pledges so your leaf is unique and memorable.