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Soil Teacher Resources
Find teacher approved Soil educational resource ideas and activities
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Students are introduced to the water cycle and water movement in soil. In this water cycle activity, students explore how water moves through the water cycle and discuss water sources, natural reservoirs, soil infiltration rates and contaminantion. Through a teacher demonstration students observe the water infiltration rate of two different types of soil.
Students comprehend the basics of soil testing. They relate the use of grids and plotting to soil samples. Students comprehend how contaminants flow through soil. They discuss factors such as: slope of the pan, time, and the amount of water effects the flow of the contaminate.
Students examine the relationship between water retention and plant growth by conducting two experiments. They first compare the water retention qualities of clay, sand and loam soil types. Then they use the data from the first experiment to design the second plant growth and soil type experiment.
Second graders participate in a soil activity. In this soil lesson students complete a worksheet describing different soil types and the organic and inorganic things found in them.
Students collect weed seeds from three varieties of weeds (knapweed, thistle, or toadflax, for example they may choose others in addition to the spotted knapweed.) They sterilize soil for thirty containers, plant seeds in sterile soil, and mix vinegar with distilled water and label the container (25 mL vinegar and add distilled water to the 1,000 mL mark so the total volume equals 1,000 mL or 1 L).
Learners are introduced to the idea of soil as a habitat for many different organisms. They are introduced to the links between the biological adaptations of an organism and the physical demands of its habitat. Pupils are introduced to the identification of various soil and aquatic organisms.
Students examine soil. In this soil composition activity students participate in soil sedimentation and filtration activities. The students discuss what non-living and living things are in soil and why it is so important.
Students examine solubility and the significance of water. For this aqueous solution lesson students complete a lab activity on soil profiles.
Learners discover organisms that inhabit the soil, the beneficial an detrimental roles these organisms play, and the interactions between the organisms and their environment and other organisms. Students participate in four hands-on activities.
Fourth graders study the components of soil. They observe the basic components of soil and relate the components to plant growth. They record color, texture, and kinds of materials on their profile log (light color, denser, grittier - more stones and pebbles, little or no organic matter).