The third grade students at W.T. Cooke Elementary spent much of the spring season engrossed in the study of soil. Students planted their own grass seeds and cared for their plants in the classroom. Third grade students also made “edible soil” out of cookie crumbs and gummy worms in order to study layers.
Some third grade classrooms also are taking the “Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Challenge” which provided them with a cabbage plant to take home and provide care in order to chart plant growth. Students are required to measure their cabbage plants at maturity, as well as submit a photo of themselves with their cabbage plants. Classroom winners will be submitted to the state competition for the possibility of winning a $1000 scholarship. These hands-on activities are directly related to the Virginia Beach Objectives and Virginia Standards of Learning in preparation for ongoing state tests.