Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pebbles Sand and Silt

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate soil, sand and silt. In this environment lesson, 1st graders discuss how changes occur in the environment and the effects of weather. Students perform their own investigation and record their predictions,...
Lesson Plan
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Earthquake Science Project

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students simulate the Earth's plates moving like an earthquake by using newspaper and soil. In this earthquake lesson plan, students push and pull the newspaper together that has soil on top and observe what happens.
Lesson Plan
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Eco-enrichers

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars discover the importance of plant and animal components within soil. In this soil lesson, students test the quality of soil. Young scholars then conduct an experiment adding different components to bags of soil to see what...
Lesson Plan
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Soil and Water

For Teachers 1st - 9th
Students study soil and how particle and pore size affect water movement.  In this soil activity students complete a lab activity to investigate pore saturation and sponge like behavior. 
Lesson Plan
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Demonstration of Factors Affecting Soil Temperature

For Teachers 1st - 7th
Learners examine the influences of water and mulch on soil temperature.  In this investigative activity students complete a soil experiment. 
Lesson Plan
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The Radish Experiment

For Teachers 1st
First graders grow radishes. In this Science lesson, 1st graders observe the growth of radishes in both the light and dark. Students discuss what plants need to live.
Lesson Plan
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Rock Cycle SIOP Unit

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Young scholars collect rocks, identify them, classify them, investigate their properties, and more. In this rocks lesson plan, students also experiment with soil and erosion and weather.
Lesson Plan
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Hold A Hill

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars inspect soil erosion. In this soil erosion instructional activity, students examine the causes of soil erosion and discover ways to conserve the landscape.
Lesson Plan
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National Worm Survey

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students participate in the National Worm Survey. In this National Worm Survey lesson, students generate data on earthworms. Students submit their data to the online database Worm Watch.
Lesson Plan
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Shake, Rattle & Roll

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students examine soil. In this science lesson, students examine the layers of soil. Students collect soil from various locations and separate the layers. Students record and chart their findings.
Lesson Plan
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Dark Days

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the impacts of erosion. In this Science lesson, 4th graders determine connections between plants and soil erosion. Students examine the historical implications of erosion.
Lesson Plan
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Keeping Soil in Its Place

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate erosion. In this Science lesson plan, 4th graders explore the role of weathering and plant growth related to erosion. Students define the components of soil. Students explore the history of the Dust Bowl.
Lesson Plan
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Secrets to Healthy Soil

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore needed mineral nutrients for healthy soil. In this soil lesson, 4th graders investigate how living and nonliving elements combine to contribute to fertile soil development.
Lesson Plan
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The Rotten Truth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate compost. In this Science lesson, 4th graders take notes on the components of soil and its relation to plant growth. Students describe the steps in making compost.
Lesson Plan
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The Soil Chain

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders show the needs of plants met by soil. In this Science lesson, 4th graders detail the components of soil and determine which are living or once living and non-living. Students determine the needs of plant growth that are...
Lesson Plan
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What Land Works Best?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore different types of land. In this land lesson, 4th graders investigate how water, climate, and soil type determine what types of crops may be grown. Students discover these elements while playing an interactive game.
Lesson Plan
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Soil Isn't a Dirty Word

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the properties of rocks. For this geology lesson, students draw their profile and discuss what a soil profile would look like. Additionally, students demonstrate how to make soil by rubbing two pieces of sandstone...
Lesson Plan
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Working Worms

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine earthworms. In this earthworm lesson, 4th graders investigate how earthworms help prepare soil for planting. Students examine other living and nonliving elements in a garden habitat.
Lesson Plan
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Perkin' Through the Pores

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore different levels of soil. In this soil lesson, 4th graders investigate the amount water that can be absorbed by topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock.
Lesson Plan
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Soil Sample Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students test the pH of soil samples they collected from the field trip. In this chemistry lesson, students differentiate acids and bases. They write a lab report about the experiment.
Lesson Plan
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Erosion Patterns

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore erosion and the different types of sediment.  In this erosion patterns activity students complete an activity and divide into groups and conduct an experiment. 
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The Big One

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study earthquakes.  For this earthquake lesson students research the Internet on earthquakes and plot earthquake locations. 
Lesson Plan
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Field Crops in the Agro-ecosystem

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore how to apply ecological analysis to cropping systems.  In this agro-ecosystem lesson students study management practices including soil and fertility. 
Lesson Plan
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Falling Hydrogen Ions

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders define pH and use it to interpret amounts of hydrogen ions in a solution.  In this hydrogen lesson students read about acid rain, divide into groups and present their information to the class.