Project Spotlight: Hearts and Harvests

Creativity, Community and Storytelling in The Valley Almanac

Every community has its own heartbeat — a rhythm shaped by the people, the land, and the changing seasons. In Hearts and Harvests, learners step into the role of observer, storyteller, and designer, exploring how communities grow and thrive together.

This eight-week project blends creativity with environmental awareness, guiding learners to design their own “valley” and record its stories in The Valley Almanac — a beautifully personal collection of maps, illustrations, weather notes, reflections, and creative writing.

Building a World with Heart

At the heart of the project is connection — to place, to people, and to the cycles that shape our world. Each week, learners notice patterns in weather, community life, and wellbeing. They explore climate zones, observe the skies, and discover how living things adapt to change. These real-world ideas then spark their imaginations as they craft a unique setting for their valley: perhaps a quiet farming region, a coastal village, or even a magical world of their own design.

Learners record their discoveries in The Valley Almanac — blending facts with creativity as they write, sketch, or design pages that bring their valley to life.

Seasons, Stories, and Sustainability

As the weeks unfold, Hearts and Harvests gently introduces big ideas about sustainability and community wellbeing. Learners investigate how climate affects daily life, experiment with tracking weather patterns, and consider how communities care for one another through the ups and downs of each season.

Activities invite reflection and self-expression — from designing community noticeboards and seed packets to creating animal shelters or maps of local festivals. It’s a project that values both science and story, encouraging learners to see the world (and their own place within it) through a creative, compassionate lens.

Cosy Valley Vibes

Hearts and Harvests draws inspiration from the wholesome charm of Stardew Valley — that gentle rhythm of planting, tending, connecting, and celebrating. Learners don’t need to have played the game to enjoy the project, but those who have will recognise the same cosy, grounded feel. It’s an invitation to slow down, build something meaningful, and imagine what makes a community thrive.

A Project That Grows With Your Learner

Like the valley they design, each learner’s project will grow in its own direction. Some might focus on detailed maps and data; others on storytelling, art, or environmental care. The structure is flexible, giving neurodivergent learners room to follow their curiosity, take sensory breaks, and build deep understanding through creativity.

By the end, they’ll have The Valley Almanac — a record not just of their imagined world, but of their growth as an observer, thinker, and storyteller.

Hearts and Harvests brings together creativity, community, and storytelling in a way that feels calm, meaningful, and connected. It invites curiosity without pressure — helping learners explore sustainability, empathy, and belonging through art, science, and imagination.

Explore the Hearts and Harvests project with your learner and see if it sparks their interest!