*Note:  This is a working draft and hasn’t been tested in a classroom yet. Feedback is more than welcome to refine and improve it at globalgreensprouts@gmail.com. 

Have you ever stopped and really noticed the world around you? The way leaves dance in the wind, the songs of birds, the feel of grass under your feet?

In this adventure, we’ll slow down, explore, and connect with nature in a whole new way! We’ll use our senses, our emotions, and our curiosity to discover what makes our environment special and why it matters. 

Nestled between the salty waters of Puget Sound and the emerald-green forests of the Pacific Northwest, Forest Grove Elementary is a place of discovery, play, and—most of all—adventure!The school sits near Boeing Creek, where salmon once swam freely, and tall Douglas firs and Western red cedars still whisper in the wind.

But things are changing. Some forests have been replaced by busy streets, some streams have dried up, and some animals—like the great bald eagles that used to soar over Richmond Beach—are harder to find.

Deep in a quiet corner of Shoreline, where the old trees still stand tall and the ferns grow thick, Gary the Acorn and his friends are about to embark on an adventure that will change their home forever.

It was a blustery autumn day, and the wind twirled and swirled through the trees.

WHOOSH!

A mighty gust shook the branches of Mother White Oak, and—plip, plop, plunk!—Gary the Acorn popped loose!

Down, down, down he tumbled, flipping and spinning through the crisp autumn air…

Until—

BOING!

He landed—right on top of Douglas Squirrel’s head!

"HEY! Who threw that?!" Douglas squeaked, rubbing his noggin. His bushy tail puffed up like a bottlebrush.

Gary wobbled in the dirt, dizzy from his fall. "Uh… sorry? I think that was gravity."

Douglas crossed his little arms. "Well, gravity needs to be more careful!" But he couldn’t stay grumpy for long. His whiskers twitched with excitement. "Wait a second—you’re new here, aren’t you?"

Gary gulped. "Yeah… I think so."

Douglas grinned. "Well, welcome to the forest floor! You’re gonna love it here. I’ll give you the grand tour!"

Before Gary could respond—

ZOOM!

A tiny black-and-white blur zipped past them, nearly tumbling into a fern.

"Oops! Feather brake failure!" Chickadee chirped, flapping her wings wildly before landing in a wobbly little hop.

"Hi, I’m Chickadee! Are you new? I love new things! And new friends! And new—"

"Okay, okay!" Douglas laughed. "Let’s show Gary around before you talk his cap off!"

Through the soft green undergrowth they went, where Sword Ferns swayed like dancers in the breeze.

"Wow, you have such cool leaves!" Gary marveled.

One of the ferns wiggled proudly. "Why, thank you! We’re nature’s feather dusters—except we don’t actually dust. That would be exhausting."

Gary giggled. Maybe this new place wasn’t so bad after all.

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the salty scent of Puget Sound. The distant caw! of an American Crow echoed through the branches, and a little creek babbled happily as it trickled toward the sea.

Gary took a deep breath, feeling warmth spread through his tiny acorn heart.

"I feel… happy."

Mother White Oak’s branches swayed gently. "Nature does that," she said kindly. "Except when Douglas is digging up my roots."

Douglas gasped. "ME?! Never! …Okay, maybe sometimes."

Everyone giggled as the golden sun dipped behind the trees. Crickets began to chirp, the air hummed with peace, and the forest whispered its evening song.

Gary smiled. He had been scared at first—worried about being in a new place, unsure if he belonged. But now, surrounded by his new friends, he realized something wonderful.

Even when the world feels big and new, there’s always joy, wonder, and connection waiting to be found.

And maybe, just maybe… he was exactly where he was meant to be.

And so, Gary’s adventure began—an adventure of noticing, feeling, and connecting with nature.

𖧧 Teacher Notes 𖧧

Pictorial Chart Set Up:

• Large chart paper or interactive whiteboard

• Pictures of key animals and plants (e.g., Squirrel, Salmon, Woodpecker, Cedar Tree, Camas Flower, Nettles)

•  String or arrows to show relationships between living things

• Labels for roles in the ecosystem (e.g., “Tree Planter,” “Nutrient Carrier,” “Shelter Provider”)

• Space for student observations and questions

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Observing the Forest:

• What do you notice about the plants and animals in the story?

• What kinds of places do the animals live in? Why do you think they live there?

Exploring Relationships Between Living Things:

• How do salmon help trees grow? What do the trees do for salmon?

• Why do woodpeckers make holes in trees? How does this help other animals?

• What would happen if one of these animals disappeared from the forest?

• How do Indigenous teachings show respect for these animals and plants?