Activity one: Students will be asked to now observe the garden they are researching in detail. From all the information compiled, students will analyze and infer as to the choices the gardeners made when choosing what to plant. Some key questions would be:
- Is the garden produce or floral?
- Do you think the soil in the area had an influence on the choices made?
- Does the amount of rainfall have an effect on choices made?
- Can you observe any cultural aspects in the choices made?
- What aspects observed reinforce the communal concept?
- Describe in detail how these gardens affect your five senses on a personal level if you were to physically be there.
Activity two: After extensive research of the community garden they were assigned based on residency, students will now begin to compare and contrast their garden with the garden in Seedfolks. Each chapter is specific to a community member and it starts off individualistic. Students need to analyze and identify when the storyline shifts and becomes more of a communal effort. Students will answer the prompt provided in RACECES format. Prompt: In the novel Seedfolks, we meet members of a diverse community who do not have much in common. They do not mingle nor do they trust each other. As the novel progresses, these “gardeners” begin to form a community. Identity when the shift begins. Identify concrete examples and clues to support your reasoning. Once the community comes together, does the garden change any?
Activity three: Students will do a character analysis. This work will be done in their journal. They will choose a character from the book based on a connection they made while reading. They will begin to discuss how the character’s personality relates to their choices made in the garden. They can analyze the choice of seeds they planted, work done, or participation in the garden even if indirectly. How do these observations make a character predictable? Students will then relate on a personal level and explain how they would have done things if they were the character in that situation.
