In my classroom, we don’t fill imaginary buckets. We tend and cultivate self-esteem, confidence, and positive attitudes. We grow Heart Gardens.
Early in the school year, we compare our self-esteem to a growing plant. A plant that is watered and looked after flourishes like a person who is treated kindly and with respect will flourish. We are very like plants in this way. Give us our basic needs, and we will survive, but every living thing, with just a little extra attention, will thrive. That is my goal. I want every one of my students to not only grow during their time with me but to thrive!
What does it look like in the classroom?
In my 2nd and 3rd grade classroom, we do a variety of things every single day to grow each others’ Heart Gardens:
We begin each day with a Heart Garden Challenge. I have a large collection of random acts of kindness that I challenge my students to achieve by the end of the school day. These range from helping a classmate out with a job in the classroom to cheering up a fellow student on the playground to thanking a custodian for keeping our school clean.
Throughout the day, as my students recognize the heart-growing deeds of others, they are welcome to complete Heart Garden messages to share with their peers. These small messages of thanks take only moments to complete but mean the world to the students. Generally, both the student giving the message and the student receiving it are absolutely beaming with pride. I can’t tell you how awesome it is to see those looks on their little faces! (You’ll have to try it and see for yourself!)
As the Heart Garden messages are written, I post them on our tree, and we watch it grow throughout the school year.
Throughout the day, I also “catch” my students doing things for others, and they get to clip their names on our character clip chart.
Anyone with a clip on the chart at the end of the day receives a sticker in their agenda.
My students take great pride in recognizing others for how they “tend” their Heart Garden. This is a keeper:
This little peep can’t possibly know how special it was to me to receive this letter… Heart Garden GROWING!!
Finally, at the end of every day, my students thank a classmate for something nice or helpful that was done for them. It always amazes me that children as young as my students can move beyond the superficial “Thanks for playing with me at recess.” and really find special reasons to thank a classmate. I’m also impressed with how students who aren’t fast friends will reach out to each other. That grows MY Heart Garden!
What do teachers and students say?
My students LOVE this. We spend an entire quarter learning about plants, and students were quick to make the connection to kindness and empathy. We have it in the common space between all of our 2nd grade classrooms, and the other classrooms are wanting to add to the garden. So sweet.
Amber H.
This is FANTASTIC. My kiddos were struggling this year to show kindness and compassion to each other and this has really helped.
Erin M.
My Class is LOVING this! 2nd week and they are already telling me and their peers when the heart garden is full or wilting! Thank you!
Caitlin D.
I LOVE this!! What a great alternative for bucket filling for little ones! I have the tree on the wall in my room. I have introduced all of the ways to make the heart garden grow and they are earning their hearts on the tree!! It’s very reinforcing for the kids.
Kristin C.
Where can I get one?
A Heart Garden takes little space or prep. It is simply about creating an atmosphere of caring and is very easy to do. I have created a package full of teaching ideas and activities around building a Heart Garden in your classroom. Click the image to grab a copy of your own!
To continue your exploration of character development and classroom management, you might be interested in these posts:
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