Later that term, Brandon did a science lesson on plants. To show the children what plants need in order to grow, he gave each of them a plastic cup with their name on and took them outside to a grassless area near the school oval where the soil was good and fertile.
“Okay everyone, we’re going to fill our cups with dirt, but we don’t want to fill them to the top. We want to fill them to about here.” Brandon pointed to a mark about an inch and a half from the top.
The children began filling their cups. Vanja, who always did her own thing, had filled hers to the top and was patting it down so it was nice and smooth.
“Very neat, Vanja,” said Brandon. “But you’ve put too much in. Where are we going to put your seeds?”
Vanja smiled, embarrassed, and emptied her cup out.
Brandon sighed. “Al
