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“Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman
4/23/2015 10:29:00 AM
Pre-reading
Vocabulary: Define the following words prior to reading “Seedfolks”

Metaphor

traumatic

Judgment

Dignified

Stereotypes

Values

Haphazard

Obliged

Obstacles

Benefit
“Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman
4/23/2015 10:29:00 AM
During Reading: Answer the following questions during the reading process.
Please include evidence from the text to support your answers. (Each answer
should be 3 or more sentences.)
1. What does Ana assume about Kim when she sees her burying her seeds?
How does she feel when she realizes her error.
2. On page 13 Gonzalo says, “The older you are, the younger you get when
you move to the United States”. What does he mean by this?
3. Sam likes to spend his time “sewing up the rips in the neighborhood”.
What are some of the way he does this in the garden? What are some of the
things he does that many other people never bother with? Why do you think
this approach helps him get through to people?
4. What does Florence mean by the word “Seedfolks”? Why do you think
the author chose this title for the book?
5. How does the garden itself become a metaphor for what happens among
its members?
“Seedfolks” by Paul Fleischman
4/23/2015 10:29:00 AM
Post Reading questions: Please answer the following questions after you have read
“Seedfolks”. Remember to use evidence from the text to support your answers.
(Each answer should be 5 or more sentences)
1. Choose a character from the book “Seedfolks”. What problem(s) does
this character have and how does he or she resolve it?
2. Describe the mood of a specific scene form the novel using at least two
relevant details.
3. Compare and Contrast two of the characters in this book.
4. Which character would you most like to meet? Explain why.
Choose one of the following and complete on a separate sheet of paper.
- Choose a character form your book, then think of ONE gift you would like
to give him/her based on that character’s specific needs. Explain why you
gave that gift.
- Choose a character from the novel and write a creative continuation of
his/her story.
-Choose a character form the novel and think of a shape that fits that
character’s traits. Draw the shape, describe the character inside the shape,
and explain why you chose the shape out of it.
EXTRA CREDIT :
Find an internet article from a primary source connected to a social issue
form the novel (abuse, bullying, homelessness). Record your source (title of
article, title of the publication, website, author, and date of publication).
Write a 10 sentence summary of the article. (Wikipedia, Google etc are NOT
primary sources)
8th Grade Language Arts
4/23/2015 10:29:00 AM
The Writer’s Workshop
The theme for 8th grade language arts is The Writer’s Workshop. Students will be
expected to complete text-based writing samples and essays on a weekly basis.
Attendance is an integral part of success in any classroom, but especially the language arts
classroom due to the class discussions that can’t be replicated.
Please be prepared to write every day and if an absence is unavoidable check E-sembler,
with Ms. Minning, and classmates to ensure you get a complete profile of what your missed.
Curriculum
Students will need at least one JOURNAL dedicated specifically to language arts. Students
will receive the Word Of The Week (WOW) each week. This work must be documented in
the language arts JOURNAL.
Various lessons, assignments, and homework will be assigned on a daily basis.
We will be engaging in grammar exercises weekly. This includes, but not limited to,
sentence structure, punctuation, diagramming sentences. Work to be documented in the
language arts JOURNAL.
We will be reading short stories, poetry, nonfiction, and fiction.
You will be asked to purchase “Animal Farm” in March. The school will provide other
materials and literature.
RESPECT
Respect is my #1 rule
Respect yourself:
You display respect through your behavior in class, and on school grounds.
Respect your classmates:
You display respect by not touching others’ personal belongings or speaking inappropriately
to them.
Respect the authority of the teacher
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this important information. My
goal is for every child to succeed to the best of his/her ability. I am happy to meet with you
to discuss your child’s progress and/or needs. Please feel free to contact me through the
school at 377-3200 or home 821-1164. You can also reach me through email at
[email protected]
Please note: If you call the school and leave a message I will contact you within a 48 hour
period of time. The easiest and most efficient way to contact me is through email.
Welcome to 8th grade language arts, where learning is a pleasure