Seeds of Change Open Response

Miss Rumphius loved beauty and nature and explored the world to see it all. She also saw places that were dry, damaged, or forgotten. When she returned home, she planted flowers to bring life back to those places. Her actions inspired others to spread kindness and beauty in different ways.

This story invites students to look for contrasts between beauty and loss, which sharpens analytical reading skills. It introduces vocabulary around nature and restoration. Students learn to identify a story’s message and apply it to their own lives. These skills help deepen understanding of nonfiction and fiction alike.