Teaching Seedfolks

Remember the time before that new coffee shop, Ampersand & Amulet, moved into your city? When a haircut was still $15, you took the bus instead of an Uber, and you could buy a pickle that wasn't branded as an artisanal experience?

That's the awesome world of urban wonder that Paul Flesichman presents in his short, extremely lovable YA novel, Seedfolks. Seedfolks takes us to a neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio where, well…let's just say not everyone gets along. We're talking prejudice, racism, the whole nine yards. So the bad news is that our characters have a lot of issues to overcome. The good news? Well, it's Cleveland, so there are no hipster cat accessory stores to be found, anywhere. And better still, things are about to change when a handful of neighbors take over a vacant lot and start up a community garden.

In this guide, you'll find

• close reading questions about each chapter's key themes and characters.
• scaffolded research presentation ideas about the many cultures and ethnic backgrounds the novel represents.
• a hands-on garden design project—markers required; shovels optional.

Just don't blame us if your students are so inspired they try to cut ELA and plant some kale outside your classroom. Some types of communal revitalization can be a good thing; we promise. 

What's Inside Shmoop's Literature Teaching Guides

Shmoop is a labor of love from folks who love to teach. Our teaching guides will help you supplement in-classroom learning with fun, engaging, and relatable learning materials that bring literature to life.

Inside each guide you'll find quizzes, activity ideas, discussion questions, and more—all written by experts and designed to save you time. Here are the deets on what you get with your teaching guide:

• 13 – 18 Common Core-aligned activities to complete in class with your students, including detailed instructions for you and your students
• Discussion and essay questions for all levels of students
• Reading quizzes for every chapter, act, or part of the text
• Resources to help make the book feel more relevant to your 21st-century students
• A note from Shmoop's teachers to you, telling you what to expect from teaching the text and how you can overcome the hurdles

Want more help teaching Teaching Seedfolks?

Check out all the different parts of our corresponding learning guide.