Seedfolks
Grade Band 6-8 Reading Level 3.8
Adapted Book Usage
These adapted resources are provided by the ACCESS Project at the University of
Delaware’s Center for Disability Studies for teachers to help students with significant
intellectual disabilities participate in the general curriculum. Please limit the use and
distribution of these materials accordingly. Please read and purchase each original text
(cited by author) prior to using the adapted text.
ACCESS Project
Center for Disabilities Studies
University of Delaware
461 Wyoming Road, Newark, DE 19716
Phone: 302-831-1052
Email: [email protected]
www.deaccessproject.org
Chapter One: Kim
Kim’s father died when she was a baby. He was a farmer in Vietnam. Kim wanted
to feel closer to him. She planted lima beans in the vacant lot in her
neighborhood. Kim planted beans for her father.
Kim used a spoon to dig six holes in the hard ground. She planted the beans.
Next, she covered them with soil. Last, she watered them. Kim planted beans for
her father.
Chapter Two: Ana
Ana was an old woman. She lived in the neighborhood longer than anyone else.
There were people from many countries in the neighborhood. Ana watched
people from her window.
In the spring, Ana saw a girl burying something in the lot. It was Kim. Ana went to
see what Kim buried. There were six lima beans with roots. Ana watched people
from her window.
Chapter Three: Wendell
Wendell lived alone. His wife and son died. He was very sad. His neighbor Ana
was worried about the plants. Ana asked Wendell to water the lima beans.
Wendell liked helping with the plants.
Wendell poured the water over the lima beans. Kim walked up behind him. She
was surprised that Wendell was helping her plants. He kept going to the vacant
lot. Wendell could not take care of his family anymore. He could take care of the
plants. Wendell liked helping with the plants.
Chapter Four: Gonzalo
Gonzalo‘s family was from Guatemala. Gonzalo and his Uncle Juan spoke different
languages. He had to take care of his uncle, who did not speak English. Gonzalo
helped his uncle with many things. Gonzalo could learn a lot from his Uncle Juan.
Uncle Juan found the garden in the vacant lot. He put the seeds into the dirt. He
didn’t need Gonzalo’s help. Gonzalo did not know anything about planting. His
uncle knew everything. Gonzalo could learn a lot from his Uncle Juan.
Chapter Five: Leona
Leona‘s grandmother drank goldenrod tea every day. She said it made her
healthy. She lived a long time. Leona wanted to drink the tea too. Leona wanted
to plant goldenrod in the garden.
Leona found the garden in the vacant lot. It was covered in garbage. She wanted
to have the garbage removed. She helped clean up the vacant lot. Leona wanted
to plant goldenrod in the garden.
Chapter Six: Sam
Sam was an old man. He saw people picking up garbage in a garden. He wanted to
plant something there. He was too old to do it himself. Sam hired a teenager to
help him plant. Sam and the teenager worked together.
The teenager wanted to start a business. They agreed to grow and sell pumpkins.
Sam and the teenager worked together.
Chapter Seven: Virgil
Virgil’s father was from Haiti. He decided to plant a huge garden in the lot. He
wanted to grow lettuce. His father said that they would sell it to restaurants.
Virgil would get a new bike with the money. Virgil wanted his father’s lettuce to
grow.
They did not know how to grow lettuce. Virgil’s father planted the lettuce at the
wrong time. It turned yellow. Virgil was upset. Virgil wanted his father’s lettuce to
grow.
Chapter Eight: Sae Young
Sae Young and her husband were from Korea. Her husband died. She was lonely.
She did not talk to anyone. Sae Young saw people working in the garden. Sae
Young did not want to be alone anymore.
She planted hot peppers in the garden. She liked being around the people there.
She helped them get water for the garden. Sae Young did not want to be alone
anymore.
Chapter Nine: Curtis
Curtis missed his girlfriend, Lateesha. It had been five years since they were
together. Curtis knew that Lateesha loved tomatoes. The garden was across from
her apartment. Curtis planted tomatoes. Lateesha looked out her window. She
saw the tomatoes. Curtis planted tomatoes for Lateesha.
People started to steal the tomatoes at night. Curtis wanted to protect the
tomatoes. He paid someone to watch the garden at night. Curtis planted
tomatoes for Lateesha.
Chapter Ten: Nora
Nora was a nurse. She worked for an old man named Mr. Myles. He could no
longer speak or walk on his own. He was not happy anymore. Nora pushed him
outside in his wheelchair. Mr. Myles felt happy when he saw the garden. The
garden made Mr. Myles feel happy.
Nora wanted to help Mr. Myles be a part of the garden. She bought different
kinds of seeds. Mr. Myles picked the flower seeds. Nora helped Mr. Myles plant
flowers. They met the other people in the garden. The garden made Mr. Myles
feel happy.
Chapter Eleven: Maricela
Maricela was sixteen-years old and from Mexico. She was pregnant. She was very
worried about having a baby. She was afraid that she was too young to be a
mother. Maricela joined a program for pregnant teenagers. The program leader
found a spot in the garden for the teenagers. They needed to practice taking care
of something. Maricela was going to have a baby.
At first, Maricela did not like planting vegetables in the garden. She was very
pregnant. It hurt her to bend over. One day, Leona walked over to Maricela.
Leona helped Maricela feel better about having a baby. Maricela was going to
have a baby.
Chapter Twelve: Amir
Amir was from India. The garden reminded him of a rug he once had. The rug had
pictures of flowers, birds, and grapes. Amir decided to grow eggplant. They were
the only purple plants in the whole garden. Amir liked meeting his neighbors in
the garden.
One day people shared their food and played music in the garden. It turned into a
festival. Amir brought his family. He spoke to a woman who had once called him a
bad name. She apologized. She was his friend now. Amir liked meeting his
neighbors in the garden.
Chapter Thirteen: Florence
Florence was an old woman. She had lived in the neighborhood a long time.
Florence’s father called her family seedfolks because they were the first black
family living there. Florence thought that the people in the garden were seedfolks
because they were starting something new. The seedfolks started a new garden.
Florence could not plant anything because she had arthritis. She still liked to
watch the garden. It made the city look nicer. In the winter, the garden was
empty and covered with snow. Florence waited for spring to start. One day
Florence saw Kim planting lima beans. Florence was happy because the garden
would grow again. The seedfolks started a new garden.
Seedfolks Vocabulary Definitions
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool.
Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Essential Vocabulary
Important vocabulary
Farmer- a person who grows food or raises animals
Plant- to put in the ground to grow
Lima Beans- a bean that has flat edible seeds
Vacant- not used; empty
Old- having lived a long time
Neighborhood- a section lived in by people who consider themselves neighbors
Countries- Nations, territories
Burying- putting something in the ground and covering it
Roots- the underground part of a plant that absorbs water and minerals, stores food, and holds the
plant in place
Died- to have stopped living
Pour- to flow or to cause to flow in a stream
Surprised- an emotion when something happens unexpectedly
Uncle- the brother of one's father or mother
Garden- a plot of ground where herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables are grown
Seeds- something that creates a new plant
Grandmother- the mother of one's father or mother
Goldenrod- an herb with yellow flowers
Tea- a drink made by soaking leaves in hot water
Garbage- discarded or useless material; trash
Teenager- a person in his or her teens
Business- the making, buying, and selling of goods and services
Pumpkin- round orange fruit
Lettuce- a vegetable that has crisp juicy leaves (used in salads)
Restaurant- a business place where meals or refreshments may be bought
Bike- a vehicle with two wheels behind one another, handlebars, a seat, and pedals that make it move
Money- something used to pay for goods and services
Lonely- feeling like you are by yourself
Hot Pepper- a small pepper with a spicy taste
Girlfriend- a female friend in a romantic relationship
Tomato- a large red vegetable
Steal- to take something that belongs to someone else without their permission
Nurse- a person trained to care for the sick
Wheelchair- a chair with wheels used by people who are sick, injured, or have certain disabilities
Different- not the same
Flower- part of a plant that has petals
Pregnant- having an unborn baby inside the body
Worried- feeling great concern
Program- activities in which a group of people do
Vegetables- leafy plants that are usually eaten as part of a meal
Rug- heavy fabric used as a floor covering
Eggplant- a purple egg-shaped vegetable
Festival- a celebration to honor a special occasion
Apologize- to say sorry
Seedfolks- people who start something new
Arthritis- inflammation of the joint
Spring- the season between winter and summer; the months March, April, and May
Definitions adapted from www.wordcentral.com
Seedfolks Vocabulary and Object List
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool.
Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Vocabulary
Farmer
Plant
Lima Beans
Vacant
Old
Neighborhood
Countries
Burying
Roots
Died
Pour
Surprised
Uncle
Garden
Seeds
Grandmother
Goldenrod
Tea
Garbage
Teenager
Business
Pumpkin
Lettuce
Restaurant
Bike
Money
Lonely
Hot Pepper
Girlfriend
Tomato
Steal
Nurse
Wheelchair
Different
Flower
Pregnant
Worried
Program
Vegetables
Rug
Eggplant
Festival
Apologize
Seedfolks
Arthritis
Spring
Object
Hay
Potted Plant
Lima Beans
Empty Container
Beard, Wrinkly Skin, Bald Head
Door Knocker
Globe
Demonstrate Burying (Shovel, Dirt, Seeds)
Plant Roots, Sticks
Coffin
Demonstrate pouring water with pitcher
Jack in the Box/Party Horn/Confetti
Family Tree/Have students bring in a picture of their uncle
Seeds, Flowers, Vegetables, Dirt, Shovel
Seeds (Sunflower, Pumpkin)
Cane
Plant, Flower
Tea Bag, Pot
Garbage bag, Trash Can
Ipod
Play or real money/toy cash register
Pumpkin (Real/Fake)
Lettuce, Spinach
Menu, Utensils, Table Cloth
Toy/Real Bike, Helmet
Play/Real Money (Dollars, Nickels, Pennies, Dimes, Quarters)
Demonstrate with Objects (One separate from the group)
Pepper
Ring
Tomato
Take an object away
Stethoscope, Thermometer
Wheelchair, Wheels
Demonstrate same v. different
Flower
Belly
Stress Ball
Group of People
Vegetables (Carrots, Peas, String Beans)
Rug
Eggplants
Balloons, Confetti, Flags
Sign for “I’m sorry”
Shovel, Plants, Seeds
Hands
Flowers, Umbrella
Seedfolk Characters
Chapter 1: Kim
Chapter 2: Ana
Chapter 3: Wendell
Chapter 4: Gonzalo
Chapter 4: Uncle Juan
Chapter 5: Leona
Chapter 6: Sam
Chapter 7: Virgil
Chapter 8: Sae Young
Chapter 9: Curtis
Chapter 9: Lateesha
Chapter 10: Nora
Chapter 10: Mr. Myles
Chapter 11: Maricella
Chapter 12: Amir
Chapter 13: Florence
Seedfolks Public Domain Vocabulary
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Farmer
Plant
Lima Beans
Vacant
Old
Neighborhood
Countries
Burying
Roots
Died
Pour
Surprised
Seedfolks Public Domain Vocabulary
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Uncle
Garden
Seeds
Grandmother
Goldenrod
Tea
Garbage
Teenager
Business
Pumpkin
Lettuce
Restaurant
Seedfolks Public Domain Vocabulary
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Bike
Money
Lonely
Hot Pepper
Girlfriend
Tomato
Steal
Nurse
Wheelchair
Different
Flower
Pregnant
Seedfolks Public Domain Vocabulary
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Worried
Program
Vegetables
Rug
Eggplant
Festival
Apologize
Seedfolks
Arthritis
Spring
Seedfolks Public Domain Vocabulary
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Vietnam
Guatemala
Haiti
Seedfolks Public Domain Vocabulary
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Korea
India
Seedfolks Comprehension Questions
Grade Band Extensions: RL 8.1 (Factual and Inferential Questions), 8.4 (See Vocab List) 8.5 (Text
Structure)
Chapter 1: Kim




Where is Kim’s family from? (Vietnam)
What did Kim plant? (Lima beans)
Why did Kim plant the seeds? (To feel closer to her father)
Kim planted the seeds. What do you think will happen next?
Chapter 2: Ana
 Who is Ana? (Person watching, Elderly woman, Neighbor) RL 8.6
 What did Ana find in the lot? (Six lima beans with roots)
 What do you think Ana thought about Kim burying the seeds?
Chapter 3: Wendell
 Why was Wendell sad? (His wife and son died)
 What did Wendell do in the garden? (Water the plants)
 How did the garden help Wendell? (He got to take care of something) RL 8.3
Chapter 4: Gonzalo
 Where was Gonzalo’s family from? (Guatemala)
 Name one way Gonzalo and his Uncle were different. (Age, Farming, Language)
 What do you think Gonzalo learned from his uncle? (How to plant)
Chapter 5: Leona
 Why did Leona’s grandmother like goldenrod tea? (It made her healthy)
 What does Leona do to help the garden? (Plant goldenrod, Clean up the trash) RL 8.3
 Why does Leona plant seeds in the garden? (To make tea like her grandmother)
Chapter 6: Sam
 Who is Sam? (Old man) RL 8.6
 What did Sam plant? (Pumpkins)
 Why did Sam hire a teenager? (Too old to do it himself)
Chapter 7: Virgil




Where is Virgil’s family from? (Haiti)
What did Virgil and his father plant? (Lettuce)
What did Virgil and his father want to do with the lettuce? (Sell it to restaurants)
Why did Virgil help his father? (To get a bike)
Adapted From http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=21754
Lesson Ideas: Ethnicity, Culture, Foreign Countries, Diversity in America, Gardens, Working together
Seedfolks Comprehension Questions
Grade Band Extensions: RL 8.1 (Factual and Inferential Questions), 8.4 (See Vocab List) 8.5 (Text
Structure)
Chapter 8: Sae Young




Where is Sae Young from? (Korea)
Why was Sae Young lonely? (Her husband died)
What does she plant in the garden? (Hot peppers)
How does the garden help Sae Young? (She liked being around the people) RL 8.3
Chapter 9: Curtis
 What did Curtis plant? (Tomatoes)
 Why does Curtis plant seeds? (He wanted to plant tomatoes for Lateesha)
 Why does Curtis hire someone to watch the garden? (People were stealing his tomatoes)
Chapter 10: Nora





Who was Mr. Myles? (Old man who couldn’t speak or walk) RL 8.6
Who was Nora? (Mr. Myles’ nurse) RL 8.6
How did Nora help Mr. Myles? (Pushed him to the garden; Helped him plant) RL 8.3
What did they plant in the garden? (Flowers)
How did the garden make Mr. Myles feel? (Happy) RL 8.3
Chapter 11: Maricela




Where was Maricela from? (Mexico)
What did Maricela plant in the garden? (Vegetables)
Why did she plant seeds in the garden? (It was part of the program for pregnant teenagers)
How Leona help Maricela? (She made Maricela feel better about having a baby) RL 8.3
Chapter 12: Amir




Where is Amir from? (India)
What did Amir plant? (Eggplant)
What did the garden remind Amir of? (Rug)
Why did the woman apologize to Amir? (She called him a bad name)
Chapter 13: Florence




Why couldn’t Florence plant anything? (Arthritis)
What does the garden remind her of? (Her grandparents starting something new)
What happened to the garden in the winter? (Plants stopped growing)
What does Florence mean by the word "Seedfolks"? (People in the neighborhood were the first
people to plant a garden there)
 Why do you think the author chose this title for the book? RL 8.2
 What did the garden do for the city? (It made the city look nicer)
Adapted From http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=21754
Lesson Ideas: Ethnicity, Culture, Foreign Countries, Diversity in America, Gardens, Working together