Growing Gardens Facilitation Guide The Big Umbrella
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Topic: Including others and sharing friends (2nd Grade Social Skills)
Duration
30 Minutes
Group Size
Small Group (4-6)
Core Book
The Big Umbrella
Lesson Flow
1
Story Hook: The Big Umbrella (7 Mins)
Read or summarize "The Big Umbrella" by Amy June Bates. It’s a simple story about an umbrella that loves to spread its arms wide to cover everyone. It never says "no room."
Reasoning Prompt:
"The umbrella is like our friendship. Why is it better that this umbrella keeps growing to fit everyone instead of just staying small?"
2
Presentation: Umbrella Logic (3 Mins)
Use the Slides to connect the book to real life. Just like the umbrella, our "friendship circle" isn't a hard wall. It's a stretchy boundary that gets bigger when we add more people.
3
Activity: Friendship Circle Sort (10 Mins)
Use the Circle Sort Mats . Connect cards to the book: "Which actions are like opening the umbrella wider? Which are like closing the umbrella?"
Discussion Guide:
"If you and your friend are the only ones under the umbrella, is it as much fun as having a whole group in there?"
4
Reflection & Goal Setting (10 Mins)
Complete the Expanding Circles Worksheet . Students draw their own "All Are Welcome" friendship garden or umbrella. Ensure they set a specific 'Inclusion Goal' for the week.
Facilitator Tips
Use Your Body
Use your arms to mimic the umbrella opening. Have students do it too. "Let's make our circle... BIGGER!"
The 'Third Wheel' Fear
Acknowledge that umbrellas can feel crowded. "It's okay to feel squished or jealous, but we adjust so everyone stays dry."
Friendship Petal Discussion Cards Friendship Petal Cards
Cut these out for small group discussion and role-play reasoning.
Scenario A
The Recess Request
You and your best friend are playing tag. A new student walks up and asks, "Can I play too?"
REASONING CHALLENGE:
How does playing tag get better with 3 people instead of 2?
Thinking Card
The Idea Factory
Imagine you and your friend are bored and can't think of what to do. Suddenly, a third friend joins you.
REASONING CHALLENGE:
Why is having "extra brains" helpful when you are bored?
Feeling Card
The Kind Leader
When you let someone join in, your first friend sees how kind you are being to others.
REASONING CHALLENGE:
Does "sharing" a friend make that friend like you more or less? Why?
Scenario B
The Lego Builder
You are building a huge tower with blocks. A classmate asks to help. You're worried they might knock it down.
REASONING CHALLENGE:
What is a kind way to let them join while still being careful with the tower?
"Friendship isn't a pie. If you give a slice to someone else, you don't have less for yourself!"
Expanding Circles Worksheet Expanding Circles
Making room for everyone in our Friendship Garden!
Name:
Date:
Why should we share our friends?
Think about our group discussion. Circle the top three reasons why you think it's good to let new friends join in:
We can play bigger and better games.
We get new, fun ideas to try.
Nobody feels sad or left out.
I show I am a kind, helpful leader.
Our circle of friends grows stronger.
We learn how to work with others.
My Friendship Garden
In the space below, draw your friends as different flowers. Draw at least one extra flower for a new person you want to invite to play!
My Inclusion Goal
The next time someone asks to join me and my friend, I will say:
"Yes! We are playing ___________, you can be the ___________!"
One person I will include this week:
The more we share, the more we grow!
The More the Merrier Slides shadow-inner rounded-3xl backdrop-blur-md shadow-2xl border-indigo-100 bg-indigo-50 flex items-center p-5 h-20 shadow-inner rounded-2xl shadow-xl aspect-square flex-col flex p-8 rounded-3xl text-sky-700 bg-white leading-tight font-black text-3xl h-12 w-12 mb-4 shadow-xl aspect-square flex-col flex p-8 rounded-3xl text-sky-700 bg-white leading-tight font-black text-3xl h-12 w-12 mb-4 shadow-xl aspect-square flex-col flex p-8 rounded-3xl text-sky-700 bg-white leading-tight font-black text-3xl h-12 w-12 mb-4 shadow-xl aspect-square flex-col flex p-8 rounded-3xl text-sky-700 bg-white leading-tight font-black text-3xl h-12 w-12 mb-4 flex-1 border-4 border-white rounded-[40px] p-10 bg-white/20 h-16 w-16 mx-auto mb-4 flex-1 rounded-[40px] p-10 bg-white/20 h-16 w-16 mx-auto mb-4 flex-1 rounded-[40px] p-10 bg-white/20 h-16 w-16 mx-auto mb-4 border-4 border-white/20 backdrop-blur-md rounded-[60px] p-12 bg-white/10 h-24 w-24 mx-auto mb-6 bg-gradient-to-br from-sky-600 to-indigo-700 p-20 flex-col h-full w-full flex bg-slate-900 text-white font-nunito h-full w-full The Big Umbrella
Sharing Our Circle of Friends
The "Only Two" Trap
"No Room!"
Sometimes we feel like our friendship is too small for a new person.
Is it true?
Just like the Big Umbrella, our hearts can always grow bigger.
Umbrella Logic
The Big Umbrella loves to include everyone. It never says "no room."
"There is always room."
When we open our circle, everyone stays dry and happy!
Kindness
New Ideas
More Fun
Leaders
Opening the Umbrella
"I am talking to my best friend. Another friend comes over to join us."
How do we reason it out?
Think:
"This person feels left out. I can be the one to help!"
Say:
"Hey! We were just talking about comics. What's your favorite?"
The Inclusion Goal
WATCH
Look for the "Sign" that someone wants to join.
WELCOME
Open the circle wide and say "Hello!"
WIN
Everyone feels included and happy.
There is always room for one more!
Friendship Circle Sort Activity Friendship Circle Sort
A hands-on activity to practice reasoning and inclusion.
Expanding the Circle
Actions that make our friendship garden grow bigger and better!
Place Green Cards Here
Closing the Circle
Actions that keep others out and make our circle small.
Place Red Cards Here
Sort & Reason Cards
Saying "Yes, let's play!" when someone asks to join.
Why? New ideas!
Whispering to one friend so others can't hear.
Why? Feels left out.
Asking a new person what game they like to play.
Why? Finding common fun.
Telling someone "This game is only for two people."
Why? It's a wall.
Sharing your favorite toy with your friend AND someone new.
Why? Sharing is double fun!
Walking away when a classmate tries to sit near you.
Why? Not welcoming.
Giving a high-five to a friend when they join the group.
Why? Welcomes them in.
Saying "I'm only best friends with Sam, not you."
Why? Friendship isn't a pie.
Moving your chair to make room for one more person.
Why? Physically inclusive.
Reasoning Teacher Tip:
As students sort, ask them to explain the "Because..." for each card. "This goes in Expanding because... it makes the new person feel happy and we get to play a bigger game!"
