In Ms. Ka Yerger’s 1st grade classroom at Wickersham Elementary, something special took root, not just a lesson in reading, but a meaningful moment where stories and nature came together to inspire young minds. Author Diana Jules Peen visited the classroom to share her book The Little Brown Seed, a story about patience, growth, and finding your own way, even when the journey takes time.
This experience was part of a three-part learning series led by Let’s Go 1-2-3, a nonprofit organization serving families, youth, and communities in Lancaster and Philadelphia. Let’s Go 1-2-3 offers free nature-based programming to ensure that all children have access to outdoor learning without barriers. Their goal is to help young people build long-term connections with the natural environment, and their work is creating meaningful opportunities to learn both in and out of the classroom.
Executive Director Keisha Scovens shared the importance of starting with the story: “It’s a great opportunity to introduce kids to nature, through the idea of a seed growing into an oak tree, and help them think about their own resilience. The seed had to keep growing even when others around it had already sprouted.”
The story of The Little Brown Seed connected with students in many ways. As they listened, they began to reflect on their own growth, their challenges, and the idea that even when it feels like they’re not moving forward, something important is happening below the surface. That seed, small and overlooked, grows into something strong over time. It’s a message many students related to.
This author visit is just the first chapter in a multi-part journey. In the coming weeks, students will explore lessons on trees that align with environmental science standards, participate in hands-on activities, and culminate the experience with a field trip to the Tanger Arboretum, Lancaster’s very own “tree museum,” this May.
Author Diana Jules Peene, who has been writing since she was a child, shared that The Little Brown Seed was her first published book, one inspired by the mighty oak tree in her backyard and her own journey through adversity. “We go through trauma, we go through heartache, we go through so much. It is so relatable to what we go through in life,” she said. “I love to encourage kids to read, use their imagination, and create their own stories. That’s what this is all about.”
At the School District of Lancaster, we believe education must be rooted in relevance and relationship. Thanks to Let’s Go 1-2-3 and Diana Jules Peene, our students are experiencing just that, learning that goes beyond the classroom, sparks curiosity, and deepens their connection to both nature and themselves.
Like the little brown seed, each child has the potential to grow into something extraordinary. With the support of community partnerships like this one, we are making sure they have the light, water, and care they need to flourish. For more photos, visit us on Facebook.
