Seedfolks

Seedfolks

Paul Fleischman

Illustrations by: Judy Pedersen

Published by: Scholastic

Copyright 1997

69 Pages

Community, Gardening, Inspiration, Transformation, Perspectives

Seedfolks is a unique novel that uses thirteen different voices to tell the story of a vacant lot that transforms from junkyard to flowering garden of inspiration. From Kim, a young girl trying to spiritually reconnect with her father, to Sam, a man who spent his life trying to fix communities that were torn apart, this inspirational story shows that with hard work and a vision, anything is possible.

Reading Level

Ages 10-12, Lexile Measure: 710L

Suggested Delivery

Read Aloud

Electronic Resources

Let students explore the American Community Gardening Association’s website to find out more about real community gardens throughout the United States.

Have students view this interview with Paul Fleischman to learn how and why the author wrote this novel. He explains how the idea for Seedfolks came to him and the experiences that shaped him.

Key Vocabulary

·      Vacant - Empty

·      Abandon – Cease to support someone or something

·      Wilt – To become limp or weak, in plants this is usually due to lack of water or hot temperatures

·      Pacifism – The thought that any violence, even war, is unjustifiable

·      Trowel – Small gardening tool

Teaching Strategies

            Before – Before reading Seedfolks prompt students with the question “what is community?” Using a Smart Board, write down everything that students can come up with about community and then ask students what they can tell you about gardening. As a teacher, explain that the idea of community gardens and how they can bring people together. Use this strategy to create a buzz about the story and get students to explore the idea of community.

            During – Use a group read aloud strategy while exploring this book to ensure engagement from every student. Since the story is broken up into different voices, it is beneficial to have a new student read for every chapter in the book. Assigning the chapters ahead of time can give students the opportunity to learn more about the characters heritage and background which will allow them to read with prosidy.

            After – After completing Seedfolks have students work in groups to create a layout of the community garden. Students work together to assign the plots and determine the plants that are grown there. Use chart paper and let each group draw their plot and combine them all on the wall to create the full garden.

Writing

Have students create their very own character seed packet. Use the template provided below to have students make a seed packet that they will use in unison with a particular chapter. Students should write the character that the chapter is about, the city or country the character is originally from, any plants that are mentioned, and two items they found interesting in the chapter.