Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the Earth's crust by researching pH levels and acidity. In this environmental safety lesson, students identify the pros and cons of acidity within soil and how it affects plants. Students collaborate in a pH level...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil and Water

For Teachers 1st - 9th
Students study soil and how particle and pore size affect water movement.  In this soil lesson students complete a lab activity to investigate pore saturation and sponge like behavior. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Isn't a Dirty Word

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

Layers of the Rainforest

For Teachers 2nd
What a great way to discuss the rainforest! Learners discuss the importance of adaptation in the environment and how it is linked to survival. They use critical thinking and inference skills to place animals and insects in the different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Layers

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders identify the different layers of soil. In this earth science lesson, 9th graders explain how limestone layers are formed. They identify the different parts of the coral colony.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Filtration

For Teachers 6th - 8th
As an example of nature's water filtering system, young ecologists conduct an experiment in the lab. They construct a funnel out of a plastic bottle, fill it with specified layers of materials that simulate layers of soil, then run muddy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water We Drink

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders relate that the quality of their drinking water is subject to the condition of the environment and water found in streams and creeks in their community. They track the travel of a wad of paper from a student's desk to a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Soil Porosity, Moisture Content, pH, and Density

For Students 9th - 12th
This lab activity does not have to be done with AP environmental scientists. It can also be done with middle to high school earth scientists. The procedures aren't complex. Learners determine the density of dry and wet sand in order to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Soil?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine what makes soil by creating a Venn Diagram.  In this Earth environment lesson, 3rd graders identify the different components that soil is made from. Students bring soil from their homes to examine and create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Activity: Forest Layers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the forest layers and types of forests. They explore a website, read content on forest layers and the effects of environmental conditions, sumarize the characteristics of a forest type and present the information to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Digging the Earth's Crust

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students investigate the Earth's crust. In this geology lesson, students identify the materials made up of the Earth's crust and investigate the different kinds of soil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SCRUMPTIOUS SOIL

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students engage in investigations that lead to the discovery that earth materials consist of rocks, soils, water, and air. They build models of soil profiles, using breakfast cereal and other edible materials. They observe how water...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much is Dirt Worth?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders graph the percentages of the materials that make up the Earth and complete computations based on their results.  In this topsoil lesson, 4th graders diagram the different layers of Earth's composition.
Activity
DiscoverE

Core Sampling

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Simulate soil sample assemblages. Individuals create soil layers in a cup. They then use straws to collect core samples from these layers. What information can they glean from the core samples, I wonder?
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this erosion worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle given 17 clues about the types of erosion, the causes of erosion and the results of erosion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Am I Neutral? pH Properties in Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners participate in a science lab to determine the pH of three different soil samples. Students conduct an experiment by creating a question, a hypothesis and then an investigation of soil samples. Then they compare colors apprearing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Optional Laboratory: Soil Particle Size and Texture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to perform experiments on different types of soil. They record the soil's pH level, color and texture. They develop hypothesis' on what they believe they will discover before beginning the experiment.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Helping the Soil

For Students 5th - 6th
In this soil conservation worksheet, students study and analyze two excellent ways to enhance soil conservation: compost heap and leaf-mould. Students review all the ingredients in making both.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Recipe for Soil

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use local materials such as leaves and other plant matter; sand and pebbles to make soil. They plant seeds in the manufactured soil and in natural soil and then observe and record the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Soil

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders swap local soil samples with another school and examine the differences. They research soil properties, identify organisms that live in soil, create and maintain a biome of soil decomposition and design a poster to present...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Stab!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Your geology class practices taking core samples of a potato to examine the stratigraphy. This is a terrific modeling lesson that helps youngsters visualize strata that cannot be seen from the surface of the ground. The directions...
AP Test Prep
College Board

2016 AP® Environmental Science Free-Response Questions

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
The average student scores less than three points, out of five, on the AP Environmental Science test. Most do well on the multiple choice and struggle with the free-response section. Encourage extra free-response practice with actual...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lead Detection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore one method for the detection of lead in soil. The detection of the presence of lead in soil can be determined sensitively using inexpensive swabs. Pupils collect several spoonfuls of soil from various parts of...

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