The campus of Wylie East Intermediate has something in common with the great State of Texas this spring – bluebonnets! Thanks to fourth grade social studies teacher Mrs. Emily Sides and a group of eager students a few blooms appeared on April 11.
Sides said the idea of planting bluebonnets stemmed from an impromptu brainstorming session between her and fellow teachers in the hall one afternoon; that night she ordered bluebonnet seeds. The teachers have used the opportunity to engage their students in the subjects they are learning and get their hands a little dirty in the process.
“It is now our fourth-grade tradition in our trio at WEI to go out to the same spot every October and plant our seeds. We discuss in class some of the basics about how to plant our bluebonnet seeds before we go outside to do it. The students know the seeds they are planting in October might take two to three years to bloom, but it is still a fun process,” said Sides. “Kids get to be kids outside in the dirt looking at plants, inspecting sticks and rocks, seeing bugs, and planting their seeds how they want to do it, whether all in one pile or spread out everywhere or a bit of both.”
Sides said the bluebonnets this year were most likely planted by the students who are now fifth graders. The students spread the seeds during the first semester the campus opened, and they have been waiting patiently to see if it was a success. She reached out to let them know their crop had bloomed.
“I hope they were as excited about our bluebonnets as my current fourth graders and Mr. Bacon were,” said Sides. “Fourth grade is Texas history, so we spend all year learning about the rich history our state has…our state symbols and just all things Texas, and the bluebonnet is an important part of that.”
Eventually, the students at East Intermediate hope to see a field of blue in several years, and according to Sides find value in the role they play to bring it to fruition.
“My current fourth graders were genuinely impressed and excited that we have our first crop of bluebonnets at WEI, and they understand the importance of continuing the tradition of planting these each year so that other Wylie Bulldogs who will be at our campus can enjoy them for many years to come.”
Related: Campus Connections December 22: Wylie East Intermediate
By Kristen Johnson