Growing Minds in Spring: Using Harlem Grown to Inspire Young Learners

Spring is a season of new beginnings, growth, and fresh possibilities — and there’s no better time to cultivate that same energy in the elementary classroom! As the flowers bloom outside, it’s the perfect opportunity to plant the seeds of curiosity, community, and responsibility inside our students.

One beautiful way to do this is by sharing the inspiring true story Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood by Tony Hillery. This book brings the spirit of growth — both in gardens and in hearts — to life for young learners in a way that’s real, relatable, and deeply empowering.

Why Harlem Grown is Perfect for Spring Learning

Harlem Grown tells the powerful story of how a simple idea — to create a garden — brought a struggling neighborhood together and gave children the tools to grow their own futures. It’s a wonderful story to share in the springtime, when nature is bursting with life and possibilities feel endless.

Teaching with Harlem Grown helps students:

• Connect to the seasons: Spring is a time when plants and gardens thrive, so students can see the story come alive around them.
• Develop responsibility: Just like the kids in the story, your students will feel empowered when they see how small actions can create big change.
• Build community: Harlem Grown teaches that collaboration, kindness, and perseverance are the keys to growth — in gardens and in life.

This book is not just a story — it’s a call to action for young people to believe that their small ideas and efforts can spark big transformations.

Creative Classroom Ideas to Pair with Harlem Grown

Spring is a vibrant time to get creative with hands-on learning activities! Here are a few ways you can extend the message of Harlem Grown in your classroom:

• Mini Garden Projects: Start a windowsill herb garden or create seed starters out of recycled materials.
• Growth Journals: Students can track the growth of a plant and reflect on how they are growing as learners and community members, too.
• Neighborhood Action Plans: Inspire students to brainstorm small ways they can improve their school or community — just like the kids in the story.
• Art and Literacy Connections: Have students create beautiful plant-inspired art pieces paired with a writing piece about “What I Can Grow.”

And guess what?

I’ve put together a special resource to make bringing Harlem Grown into your classroom even easier and more impactful!

This resource includes everything you need to dive deeper into Harlem Grown and the beautiful messages it shares:

Discussion questions to spark deep thinking and class conversations
Printable growth journals and reflection pages
Creative project templates to inspire action and collaboration
Vocabulary building and comprehension activities
Hands-on mini garden activities perfect for your classroom setting

Designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and real-world connections, this resource will not only engage your students — it will empower them.

 

This Spring, let’s not just teach lessons. Let’s plant ideas, nurture dreams, and grow future leaders. 

 

You can check out the Harlem Grown Picture Book Unit For Use With Google Apps™ | Plant Activities