Kenan Fellows
Sustainability: Learning for a Lifetime – Soil
Do great gardeners really have green thumbs—or just really great soil? Environmental scholars discover what makes Earth's soil and soil quality so important through research and experimentation. Learners also develop an understanding of...
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Soil Type and Management
Students study the basics of soil science. They research and gather data through readings, videos, and performance of laboratory investigations. As a team they generate oral and written recommendations for the amendment of soil.
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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.
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How Does Your Soil Stack Up?
Students examine the soil in their local area and create a soil profile. They record observations in the field and the classroom. They create their own display of the soil profile as well.
Growing Classroom
Space Travelers
Groups of three scientists from the rocky planet Zog investigate the composition of soil so that they can take the information back to their home, create soil there, and begin to grow food.
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Layering the Soil
Young scholars study and classify soil. In this soil science instructional activity, students classify soil by texture and size and study soil horizons. Young scholars label the soil types with their specific soil horizon and learn about...
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The Soil Chain
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...
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What is Soil?
Students examine soil. In this earth science lesson, students define and describe weathering and erosion as it relates to soil. Students compare and contrast potting soil with forest soil and complete a science observation worksheet.
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What's in the Soil?
Fourth graders examine soil to find its contents, and how much water and air they can measure. In this soil composition instructional activity, 4th graders perform three experiments and record their results. In one experiment they...
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Water Cycle
Identify and interpret the earth's different water sources. Third and fourth graders describe and demonstrate the process of the water cycle, make a model of its two main parts, and predict and infer to answer questions about the model.
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Worm Composting
Second graders discuss worm composting. In this decomposition instructional activity, 2nd graders look at the anatomy of the worm and how it eats food. They have their own worm bin and review what foods can and can not be given to the...
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Soil in My Food Web
Fourth graders understand the importance of soil to the food web. For this food web lesson, 4th graders create various food webs beginning with soil using yarn and name cards. Students write about the importance of soil to one organism.
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Dark Days
Fourth graders investigate the impacts of erosion. In this Science activity, 4th graders determine connections between plants and soil erosion. Students examine the historical implications of erosion.
Virginia Department of Education
Permeability and Porosity
Covering both permeability and porosity, scholars perform a hands-on experiment testing various soil types. The material includes a pre-activity worksheet to help focus pupils on the task at hand.
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Keeping Soil in Its Place
Fourth graders investigate erosion. For this Science lesson, 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.
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Soil Profile
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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The"Dirt" on Soil
Students examine the three different types of soil and their physical properties. In this soil lesson students design and implement a model of a water treatment plant.
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Secrets to Healthy Soil
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.
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Soil Isn't a Dirty Word
Learners investigate the properties of rocks. In 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...
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Soils are the Pits!
Students dig soil pits in order to observe soil features and the factors of soil formation and soil forming process. Students also examine the relationships among different soils in a series of soil pits.
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Soil Management
Fourth graders examine different opinions on soil management. In this soil management lesson, 4th graders use a variety of resources to research how agriculture and the environment are related. They investigate cause and effect...
NASA
The Case of the Wacky Water Cycle
Join the tree house detectives in learning about the processes of the water cycle, water conservation, water treatment, and water as a limited resource.
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Using Soil properties and Vegetation Differences to Hypothesize the Land Use History and Topographic Differences between Two Locations
Ninth graders take soil samples and perform tests on these samples.
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Soil Layers
Ninth graders identify the different layers of soil. For this earth science lesson, 9th graders explain how limestone layers are formed. They identify the different parts of the coral colony.