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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Managing Nutrients in Livestock Manure

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Livestock managers reinforce math and science skills while learning about the nutrients found in manure. They predict which animal produces the largest amount and which animal's manure contains the most nitrogen. Finally, they compare...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil In The Amazon

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners grow plants in soil representing that found in the Amazon basin. They compare results to plants growing in fertile soil and soil fertilized with leaf compost. Students chart, average and graph plant growth by height. Learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Morphology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze images of five different soil types from various locations and discuss how climate, vegetation, parent material, topography, and time can contribute to soil characteristics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Profile

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research soil layers and create a soil profile in a jar.  In this soil profile lesson, 4th graders working in groups, research a given layer of soil, make a 3-5 minute presentation to the class, and complete a worksheet. ...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Dirt We Depend On; Soil Destruction and Conservation Reading Comprehension Worksheet

For Students 5th - 6th
In this soil destruction and conservation worksheet, students read a three page non-fiction article. They answer 10 fill in the blank questions and 1 short answer question based on the reading about soil building methods.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Plants, Soil and Nutrients

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars conduct an experiment. They review how to use the scientific method to conduct an experiment with white carnations and food coloring. They create a hypothesis and test it to better understand how plants get nutrients,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Explorers

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate how plants take in water, nutrients, and light. They create artwork showing how plants survive in different environments.
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Interactive
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Marvelous Martian Mineralogy

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Believe it or not ... martian soil does have nutrients needed for plants to survive! An out-of-this-world tutorial moves scholars through an analysis of martian soil to determine its chemical make-up. Pupils analyze reflectivity of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

COMPARE SOILS BY GROWING PLANTS

For Teachers 6th - 8th
The student will identify the difference in the rate of plant growth in three soils that vary in organic matter.1. Obtain three to four flowerpots, different types of soil, a record chart, three to five beans for each pot, and water....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

S-O-I-L Soil

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research soil, its nutrients, and plant growth. In this soil lesson, 5th graders create soil journals, trace flowers, and include nutrient information on each petal. Students read an excerpt from "McBroom Tells the Truth."...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Just Dirt

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars discover how seed germination varies according to the soil type. In this soil science lesson, students discuss what plants need in order to grow and investigate various types of soil. Young scholars use their senses to...
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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Dirty Decomposers

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Do not let the class just sit and rot. Pupils learn how decomposition and nutrient recycling is important to an ecosystem. Groups design an experiment to determine how environmental conditions affect decomposition. They develop a poster...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Retention and Soil Variation in Local Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the differences in local soil types and the relationship between soil size and water retention. They are introduced to microenvironmental conditions in ecosystem sustainability.
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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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Should Soil Be Sterile?

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students determine if the sterilization of topsoil is beneficial to seed germination and plant growth. They grow plants alongside control groups, make and record observations of plant growth and measure plant biomass.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest as a Filter

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students experiment using soil and water. In this forest as a filter lesson, students identify the role of forest cover, vegetation, and foliage impacts erosion and evaporation. Students conduct a simple experiment, form a hypothesis,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent Plant Growth Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This is an awesome lesson filled with tons of engaging learning activities. Over a period of weeks learners will make observations, collect plant and analyze plant data, read and review agricultural articles, design and conduct an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nutrient Enrichment vs. Oxygen Depletion

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners investigate how excess nutrients enter a body of water, and the harmful effects they have on aquatic organisms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Make a Compost Cake

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science lesson, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Students create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of the pile, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dirt: Making Dirty Water Clean!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study soil and water.  For this water lesson students work in groups and use a filter to clean water. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Profit From Pumpkins

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders cut open a pumpkin. In this math lesson plan, 3rd graders complete the worksheet "From Seed to Pumpkin" and then clean out their pumpkins to see how many seeds are in it.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders name the various materials that comprise soil, including weathered rock and other organic matter. They explain that soils differ in their color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Erosion

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders complete activities to observe the effects of erosion. In this erosion lesson, 2nd graders define erosion and learn the process. Students complete an erosion experiment.