Part 1: Sprouts in a Bag

Objective: Understand seed germination and the parts of a bean seed.
Activities:

• Students place bean seeds in damp paper towels and seal them in clear bags to observe germination.
• Draw and label parts of the bean: radicle, seed coat, cotyledon.
• Discuss the life cycle of a seed using visuals.
• Introduction to Seedfolks: Explain the premise and themes of the book.
  Vocab: Radicle, seed coat, cotyledon.

Part 2: Seedfolks, Chapter 1

Objective: Discuss food traditions and practice interviewing.
Activities:

• Read and discuss Chapter 1 of Seedfolks. Focus on cultural connections and family traditions.
• Students share a family food tradition or memory in a class discussion.
• Practice interviewing skills in pairs (roles: interviewer, interviewee, recorder).
  Vocab: Food culture, food traditions, rituals.

Part 3: What the World Eats/Seedfolks, Chapters 2-3

Objective: Compare food cultures from around the world.
Activities:

• Read Chapters 2-3 and discuss themes.
• Display photos from What the World Eats and encourage observation of differences in diets.
• Create a Venn diagram comparing two food cultures.
  Vocab: Compare, contrast, similarities, differences.

Part 4: Food Journal/Seedfolks, Chapters 4-5

Objective: Reflect on personal eating habits and introduce food journaling.
Activities:

• Discuss Chapters 4-5 and themes of food access and choices.
• Introduce food journaling: students record everything they eat for one week.
• Define food categories (protein, grains, fruits, vegetables, whole vs. processed food).
  Vocab: Food descriptions, whole food, processed food, protein, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables.

Part 5: Food Journal Discussion/Seedfolks, Chapters 6-7

Objective: Analyze food habits and discuss cultural influences.
Activities:

• Discuss Chapters 6-7 and connections to food culture.
• Categorize foods from journals into a class chart (e.g., fruits, vegetables, processed foods).
• Facilitate discussion on family food culture and how it’s influenced by local or American culture.
• Sentence stems: “My eating habits are similar/different to my parents because…”
  Vocab: Categorize, culture, influence.

Part 6: Greenhouse Planting and Gardening/Seedfolks, Chapters 8-9

Objective: Plan and prepare for gardening activities.
Activities:

• Discuss Chapters 8-9 and themes of community gardening.
• Learn Brazilian crop planning: selecting crops, planting schedules, and care strategies.
• Begin greenhouse planting or outdoor garden prep.
  Vocab: Crop planning, planting, care, harvest.

Part 7: Crop Research (e.g., Rice)/Seedfolks, Chapters 10-11

Objective: Research crop requirements and life cycles.
Activities:

• Discuss Chapters 10-11 and connect themes to global food crops.
• Explore rice as an example: where it grows, climate needs, and life cycle.
• Label parts of a plant (root, radical, seed coat, hull, endosperm, tiller, leaves, grains, awl).
  Vocab: Climate, parts of a plant, endosperm, tiller.

Part 8: Plant Diagram Review and Seed Germination/Seedfolks, Chapter 12

Objective: Observe seed germination and review plant structures.
Activities:

• Discuss Chapter 12.
• Observe soaked rice seeds under magnification.
• Review plant and seed parts.
• Discuss why seeds are soaked and the germination process.
  Vocab: Germination, rice paddy, yield, culture, climate, weather.

Part 9: Planting Rice/Seedfolks, Chapter 13

Objective: Learn about the seed life cycle and planting math.
Activities:

• Discuss Chapter 13 and seed life cycles.
• Math activity: Calculate seed yield and space needed for planting.
• Discuss transplanting: when, how, and why.
  Vocab: Life cycle, transplant, spacing, yield.

Part 10: Tending the Garden and Making Signs

Objective: Maintain the garden and enhance understanding through labeling.
Activities:

• Students take on responsibilities for weeding, watering, and caring for the garden.
• Create garden signs to label plants with names, care instructions, and fun facts.
• Reflect on the experience of tending a community garden.
  Vocab: Maintenance, responsibility, care, growth, harvest.