Stories that Sprout (Free Story Planner)

Why it Works:

Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt
This story, Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, by Kate Messner, offers rich opportunities to connect different activities to the story and outdoor learning (affiliate link). Using the Stories that Sprout planner, I model how one book can spark ongoing purposeful, playful learning both inside and outside the classroom.

Story Seeds: Growth & Learning Ideas 

This section is brainstorming space! I use it to note how the story Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt opens doors to movement, inquiry, and learning before any formal planning begins.

Art: mud painting; leaf/bark rubbing; above/below mural; loose parts creations 

Drama: melting snow; muddy boots; bats through flowers; spider/moth; praying mantis/mosquito; spider walk

Story Roots: Where Learning Takes Hold 

After the learning seeds are planted, they can grow into a lesson using Hammond’s Ignite–Chunk–Chew–Review instructional framework in an outdoor setting. See photo examples of how this particular story inspired outdoor learning.