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The Story Garden: Growing Social Skills

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Lesson Plan

The Story Garden Lesson Plan

Students will create a story garden to express empathy, communicate effectively, and develop narrative skills through creative storytelling inspired by nature.

By linking personal experiences with the natural world, this lesson fosters empathy and builds social skills, essential for cooperative learning.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive, hands-on, and reflective.

Materials

Story Garden Slide Deck, Story Garden Craft Activity, and Story Garden Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Reviewing Resources and Setting Up

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of a story garden and its connection to nature.
  • Facilitate a brief discussion on empathy and communication in storytelling.

Step 2

Slide Deck Presentation

10 minutes

  • Present the Story Garden Slide Deck to outline the lesson's objectives and steps.
  • Highlight examples of empathetic storytelling.

Step 3

Crafting the Story Garden

20 minutes

  • Guide students in creating their own story gardens using the Story Garden Craft Activity.
  • Encourage them to incorporate elements that represent their feelings and personal stories.

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

10 minutes

  • Have students complete the Story Garden Reflection Worksheet to express what they learned about empathy and communication.
  • Invite volunteers to share their gardens and the stories behind them.
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Slide Deck

The Story Garden: Growing Social Skills

Welcome! Let's explore how nature and storytelling can help us build empathy and communicate better.

Introduce the concept of a story garden. Use this slide to welcome students and explain that today's lesson will help them grow their social skills through creative storytelling rooted in nature.

What is a Story Garden?

A story garden is a creative space where ideas, feelings, and experiences bloom like plants. Every plant or flower can tell a unique story.

Explain what a story garden is. Emphasize the idea that each element in the garden represents a part of a personal or shared story, allowing us to explore feelings, experiences, and relationships.

Empathy & Communication in Nature

Nature teaches us about growth, change, and beauty. Just like a garden, our stories can nurture empathy and help us connect with others.

Discuss the importance of empathy and communication. Provide examples of how nature can inspire stories that make us understand each other's feelings more deeply.

Steps to Create Your Story Garden

  • Brainstorm ideas and feelings.
  • Choose symbols or 'plants' that represent parts of your story.
  • Arrange these elements to tell a personal narrative.
  • Share your thoughts with the class.

Outline the steps for creating a story garden. Guide students to think about colors, plants, and symbols that can represent their personal experiences and feelings.

Reflection & Sharing

Take a moment to reflect on your story garden. How do your plants and symbols tell your unique story? Share with a friend or the class.

This slide is for reflection and sharing. Encourage students to talk about what they learned and the meanings behind the different elements in their story gardens.

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Activity

Story Garden Craft Activity

In this activity, you'll create your own story garden. Think of your garden as a beautiful space filled with plants and flowers — each representing a part of your story. Your garden will be a way to share your feelings, experiences, and ideas with your friends.

Materials Needed

  • Paper or poster board
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
  • Scissors and glue
  • Any other craft supplies you like (stickers, magazine cutouts, etc.)




Activity Steps

  1. Brainstorm Your Story
    • Think about a moment or feeling you'd like to share. It might be a happy memory, a challenge you overcame, or something that makes you feel proud.
    • Write down some words or draw small doodles that represent your story ideas.




  1. Design Your Garden
    • On your paper, draw or arrange different parts of your garden. Each plant, flower, or other element should symbolize a piece of your story.
    • Consider using different colors for different feelings or themes.




  1. Add Personal Details
    • Write a short description or add captions next to each element in your garden. Explain what each part represents.




  1. Share and Reflect
    • After finishing your story garden, share it with a partner or the class if you feel comfortable.
    • Think about what your garden tells others about who you are and what you feel.







Reflection Questions

  • How did creating your story garden make you feel?
  • What did you learn about yourself during this activity?
  • Can you see any similarities between your garden and the gardens of your classmates?

Take a few minutes to write your thoughts on the Story Garden Reflection Worksheet.




Enjoy creating your story garden, and remember that every part of your garden is a unique reflection of you!

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Worksheet

Story Garden Reflection Worksheet

In this worksheet, you will reflect on your Story Garden and how it represents your feelings, experiences, and connections to others. Answer the following questions with as much detail as you can. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers – this is a space for your personal expression.

1. Exploring Your Story

Describe what each part of your story garden represents. What did you choose for your plants or symbols, and what do they mean to you?






2. Personal Reflections

How did creating your story garden make you feel? Explain any new insights or discoveries about yourself that came up during the activity.






3. Empathy and Communication

Consider how your story garden connects you with others. How might sharing your garden help you understand or relate better to your classmates’ experiences?






4. Looking Forward

Think about one way you can use storytelling or art to communicate your feelings in the future. What might that look like?






Take your time to write down your thoughts. Your garden is a unique reflection of who you are and a way to build connections with those around you.

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