Encourage students to take advantage of the free resources available at their local library. They may know they can get books, but they may not know that they can check out movies, video games, use the computer, or join community reading programs (many of which have incentives for summer reading).
Like cabbage and cabbage sprouts, Brussels sprouts are a cool weather crop. They should be harvested when the sprouts are small, compact and bright green. Avoid yellowing sprouts with signs of wilt rot or insect damage. Harvest sprouts when they are no larger than 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
These cool-weather plants grow sprouts around a strong central stem and then hide the evidence behind large leaves. But they are delicious, and once you find plants that grow well in your microclimate, you can harvest the Brussels sprout seeds, too. With every successive year of seed saving, you will have plants better adapted to your soil and weather conditions.