Captain Planet Foundation
Sorting Out Soils
Sift through soil and learn about why it's important for organic processes. After discussing what makes up soil, such as the living organisms and what types of soil have more nutrients, kids sample layers of mulch and deeper soil to...
Curated OER
Properties of Soil: Original Lesson Plan
This lesson plan is an investigation of soil properties, particularly texture, color and space for air and water. Student inspect soil samples found in their locale, perform several tests to determine different properties, and involves a...
Curated OER
Playing In The Dirt - Discovering Soil
Students discuss some the different types of soil in Oklahoma. They identify the soil types and explore the characteristics of each type of soil. In groups, students perform hands-on activities such as taking soil samples, classifying...
Curated OER
Soil Formation
Seventh graders investigate how soil is formed. They analyze types of soil samples, examine soil using a magnifying glass or microscope, complete a chart, conduct a soil and plant experiment, and construct a soil profile.
Curated OER
Soil Composition
Students examine soil. In this soil composition lesson 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.
Curated OER
Archaeological Soils
Students evaluate how archaeologists use soils to interpret sites and determine components of a soil sample.
Curated OER
Food Chains And Webs
Learners investigate the concept of soil and all its components. They collect samples from a local site and transplant it into a terrarium. Students identify the organic elements, clay ,silt, and other forms of debris. They also identify...
Curated OER
Composting "The Right Mix"
Students investigate the correct mix of material types for compost. In this composting lesson, students explore the correct amounts of different types of materials to create a compost heap. Students then create a compost heap.
Curated OER
Space Science: A Scoop of Moon Dirt
Students discover soil characteristics and how it is formed on Earth and the Moon by examining local samples to a lunar simulant. They replicate the effects of wind erosion by scraping dry bread with sandpaper. Students use rocks and...
Curated OER
pH Potential
Students experiment to determine the positive and negative impacts of human activities on environmental change. They examine how physical and biological processes such as decomposition affect soil characteristics while looking at the pH...
Other
Indianetzone: Types of Soil
Get to know the five different kinds of soil .. clay, sand, loam, chalk, and peat.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Solid Ground? Measuring Soil Bearing Capacity
Foundations for many types of structures rest on soil. This project shows how you can investigate the bearing capacity of different types of soil.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: The Great Plant Escape: Soiled Again
Help Detective Le Plant dig for clues in the soil to solve this case. You'll need to find out what soil is, why it is important, and in what kinds of soil plants grow.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Horizons of Soil in My Backyard
Learners will work in small groups to dig holes 1 meter deep. Students will work with measurements as they dig and measure. Learners will observe the different types of soil and how the soil changes as they dig. Students will write and...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Soil Characteristics
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the characteristics and types of soil.
University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia: Soil Components
Use this interactive website to learn everything you wanted to know about the four components of soil: minerals, organic, water, and air. Many links along the way assist with comprehension by allowing you to view photographs, charts, and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: What Is Soil?
Have you ever played in dirt from your yard? You were actually playing with one of the most important natural resources on earth - soil. Watch a short video on soil and a second video showing the phases of plant development using...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Soils Around the World
Check out a world map hosting a variety of options for views of various soil types. Identify the different soils and where they can be found.
Utah Education Network
Uen: S O I L Soil
Plants need nutrients to grow, those nutrients come from the soil, and nutrients can be added to soil to help plants grow better.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Sand, Clay and Humus
Fourth graders study the differences between humus, sand, and clay soil.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: The Great Plant Escape: Soiled Again
Become a detective and solve the soil mystery! To solve the case you must discover what soil is, why it's important, and in what kind of soil do plants grow. You will find out the four components of soil along with the different soil...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Porosity
Soils are made of particles of different types and sizes. The space between particles is called pore space. Pore space determines the amount of water that a given volume of soil can hold. Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Dissecting Soil
In this soil study, students investigate a soil sample to discover what is inside the soil. Working in partners, they explore to see if there are any plants, animals, dirt, or other (water and air) in the soil.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Toxic Trees: Just How Toxic Is That Black Walnut Tree?
The goal of this plant biology science fair project is to make and test an herbicide made from the leaves of the black walnut tree and investigate the toxicity of black walnut trees.