WISD student reaps rewards of hands-on learning project

Teachers always hope that the information they are sharing with students is really sinking in and that they will use it in the future. Brandon Hare certainly took the knowledge gained from Tamera Robey's third grade class and put it good use.

Last year, Mrs. Robey's class, as well as others, studied a unit in science called Structures of Life. In this unit, the students learn about plant life. The classes received small cabbage plants to take home, plant and raise.

Mrs. Robey said she had no idea how many of her students would actually go through with the planting, but was so thrilled to hear that Brandon had not only planted his, but was also successful with it.

"I kept it watered, pulled all the weeds and kept all the caterpillars off of it," Brandon said. "The only problem I had was the bugs."

Brandon shared what Mrs. Robey taught him about caring for his plant.

"The basic stuff, you got to have soil, sun, and water."

Jennifer Ray, Brandon's mom, said he did it all on his own.

"His dad helped him transplant it in the ground and his Aunt Lisa taught him how to water it, weed it and keep it pest free," Ms. Ray said, "but he took care of it."

When harvest time came the whole family took part in cleaning and cooking it.

"Everyone liked it," Ms. Ray said. "Even the ones who thought they didn't like cabbage."

Brandon says that someday he would like to try his hand at growing fruit.

Mrs. Robey's teaching and Brandon's follow through brought knowledge from a Styrofoam cup to put supper on the table.