Social Smart Garden Slides Final-v2 Our Classroom Garden
How we help everyone grow together.
What is a Garden?
A garden has many different flowers. To grow, every flower needs its own sunlight and space .
In our class, "talking time" is like sunlight. If one flower takes all the sun, the others can't grow!
Me
My Friends
The Teacher
In the Group
To help our garden grow, we keep our Body and Brain in the group.
Body in the Group
My body is facing the teacher and my friends.
Brain in the Group
My brain is thinking about what the group is doing.
Our Two Smarts
School Smarts
Knowing the garden facts! Like knowing that seeds need water to grow.
Social Smarts
Thinking about our friends! Knowing how to share the sun so everyone is happy.
We use our Social Smarts in class to help us think with our eyes!
Thinking with Your Eyes
A Social Detective uses their eyes to "read the room." Here is what we look for:
Is a friend already talking?
Is the teacher looking at me?
Are other hands raised?
Is it my turn to share sunlight?
Garden Choices
When I blurt out, it changes how people feel.
Expected
🌻 Waiting for your turn.
Makes friends feel calm and happy because they have sunlight.
Unexpected
⛈️ Blurting Out.
Makes friends feel confused or sad because their sunlight was taken.
Master Gardener
I share the sun, I share the space, I make our class a happy place!
When we all take turns, our whole garden grows together.
Social Smart Garden Slides Final Updated Our Classroom Garden
How we help everyone grow together.
What is a Garden?
A garden has many different flowers. To grow, every flower needs its own sunlight and space .
In our class, "talking time" is like sunlight. If one flower takes all the sun, the others can't grow!
Me
My Friends
The Teacher
In the Group
To help our garden grow, we keep our Body and Brain in the group.
Body in the Group
My body is facing the teacher and my friends.
Brain in the Group
My brain is thinking about what the group is doing.
Our Two Smarts
School Smarts
Knowing the garden facts! Like knowing that seeds need water to grow.
Social Smarts
Thinking about our friends! Knowing how to share the sun so everyone is happy.
We use our Social Smarts in class to help us think with our eyes!
Thinking with Your Eyes
A Social Detective uses their eyes to "read the room." Here is what we look for:
Is a friend already talking?
Is the teacher looking at me?
Are other hands raised?
Is it my turn to share sunlight?
Classroom Choices
When I blurt out, it changes how people feel.
Expected
🌻 Waiting for your turn.
Makes friends feel calm and happy because they have sunlight.
Unexpected
⛈️ Blurting Out.
Makes friends feel confused or sad because their sunlight was taken.
Master Gardener
I share the sun, I share the space, I make our class a happy place!
When we all take turns, our whole garden grows together.
Garden Growth Guide Garden Growth Guide
20 Minutes Individual or Small Group Theme: Growing Together
Instructional Goal
To help a high-performing student understand that classroom participation is like a garden where everyone needs "sunlight" (time to speak) to grow. The student will practice waiting, sharing attention, and classroom flexibility.
Prep & Materials
Classroom Garden Slides
Garden Growth Tracker
Garden Helper Tokens
Garden Scenario Cards
Lesson Procedure
1
The Garden Story (5 mins)
Review the Classroom Garden Slides . Use the metaphor: "If one flower takes all the sun, the others stay small. We want every flower in our class to grow big!" Ask: "How can we make sure everyone gets enough sun?"
2
Garden Role-Play (10 mins)
Use the Garden Scenario Cards to practice these skills. For each one, have the student hold their "I Wait" or "I Share" token:
The Patient Seed: Teacher asks a hard question. Student waits for a friend to try answering first.Sharing the Sun: Student shares one idea, then asks: "What do you think, [Friend's Name]?"The Flexible Sprout: Class is ready for Math, but there's a fire drill. Student takes a breath—Smell the flower, blow out the candle —and says "Okay, I can be flexible."The Listening Vine: A peer is talking. Student keeps their mouth closed and looks at the speaker until they finish.The Helper Hedge: Teacher is busy. Student waits for a pause before saying "Excuse me."
3
Tracking Growth (5 mins)
Introduce the Garden Growth Tracker . Explain that points are earned for "Helping the Garden Grow" (waiting and listening). Set a goal for 5 stickers to earn a "Master Gardener" prize.
Teacher Pro-Tips
Validate Knowledge: "I know you have 10 more facts! Let's save them for your journal so [Friend] can have a turn to speak."
Non-Verbal Redirection: If the student blurts, simply point to the "I Wait" card on their desk without stopping the lesson flow.
Classroom Garden Slides Our Classroom Garden
How we help everyone grow together.
What is a Garden?
A garden has many different flowers. To grow, every flower needs its own sunlight and space .
In our class, "talking time" is like sunlight. If one flower takes all the sun, the others can't grow!
Me
My Friends
The Teacher
My Amazing Brain
I have a very smart brain! I often know the answers quickly. That is a wonderful thing.
But if I answer every question, I am like a big tree that blocks the sun for the little flowers.
When I Blurt Out...
It interrupts the peace.
My friends lose their "thinking space."
It takes a turn away.
Friends don't get to grow their own smart brains.
Helping the Garden Grow
1
The Patient Seed
I keep my answer inside until it's my turn.
2
Cheering for Others
I am happy when a friend gets a turn to shine!
Master Gardener
I share the sun, I share the space, I make our class a happy place!
When we all take turns, our whole garden grows together.
Garden Growth Tracker Garden Growth Tracker
I help our classroom garden grow!
Name: __________
My 5 Stars to a Prize!
My Prize:
How to earn stars
Waiting for my turn.
Listening to friends.
Raising a quiet hand.
Being flexible.
Garden Growth Tracker
I help our classroom garden grow!
Name: __________
My 5 Stars to a Prize!
My Prize:
How to earn stars
Waiting for my turn.
Listening to friends.
Raising a quiet hand.
Being flexible.
Garden Helper Tokens I Share
I give one amazing idea!
I Wait
Helping others grow!
Be Flexible
"It's okay to change plans."
Stay Calm
I'm a great garden helper!
Keep these "Garden Helper" cards on your desk as a reminder!
Garden Scenario Cards Skill: Waiting
The Big Question
"Teacher asks a question about space. You know the answer right away! Your brain is ready to blurt it out."
How to be a Helper:
Put your hand up quietly. If a friend is called on, say "That's okay!" in your head.
Skill: Sharing
The Spotlight
"You just shared a very cool fact about dinosaurs. You have five more facts you want to say right now!"
How to be a Helper:
Stop after ONE fact. Look at a friend and ask: "What is your favorite dinosaur?"
Skill: Flexibility
Fire Drill!
"It's time for Math, but the fire alarm goes off. We have a fire drill first! You were ready for Math."
How to be a Helper:
Smell the flower, blow out the candle. Say: "Okay, I can be flexible."
Skill: Listening
Puppy Talk
"A friend is telling the class about their new puppy. You want to tell everyone about your dog, too!"
How to be a Helper:
Keep eyes on the friend. Wait until they are finished before you raise your hand.
Cut along the dashed lines for your Garden Scenario Cards
