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....
Worksheet
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Soil Formation

For Students 9th - 12th
For this soil formation worksheet, learners will review examples of chemical weathering and biological weathering. Students will also review the different soil layers and how they are created. This worksheet has 6 matching, 5 multiple...
Lesson Plan
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How Can You Test Your Soil?

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students investigate chemicals in soil samples. In this soil science lesson, students test local soil to measure the pH, nitrate, phosphate, and potassium content.
Lesson Plan
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Earthquake Science Project

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners simulate the Earth's plates moving like an earthquake by using newspaper and soil. For 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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once and future MOON

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Beyond the phases of the moon, this comprehensive lesson plan covers geologic history and geology. Amateur astronauts examine photos of the lunar landscape, experiment with the creation of craters, and delve into information about the...
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Modeling a Soil Profile

For Students 7th - 10th
In this soil profile worksheet, students use a cup to create the layers of soil using clay, sand, gravel and dirt. Students label each component as either A, B, or C horizon and the bedrock. They answer questions about their model.
Lesson Plan
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Science in the Garden

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine soil from their local environment.  In this garden lesson, students recognize the importance of soil in the garden. Students explore the contents of the local soil.
Lesson Plan
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Investigation 6 - Soil Profile

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the components of soil. They observe the basic components of soil and relate the components to plant growth. They record color, texture, and kinds of materials on their profile log (light color, denser, grittier -...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students are able to describe earth processes (e.g., rusting, weathering, erosion) that have affected selected physical features in students, neighborhoods. They are able to identify various earth structures (e.g., mountains, faults,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beautiful Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover what are the components of soil. They examine how it is formed and it's importance. They engage in garden activities and processes. They hold a handful of garden soil and describe what they see. They take a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil in My Food Web

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders understand the importance of soil to the food web.  In 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil pH Effect on Germination of Specific Weeds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect weed seeds from three varieties of weeds (knapweed, thistle, or toadflax, for example they may choose others in addition to the spotted knapweed.) They sterilize soil for thirty containers, plant seeds in sterile soil,...
Lesson Plan
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What is in Soil?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify and examine the components that make up soil. Individually, they use a magnifying glass to identify the organic and inorganic material in their soil sample. To end the lesson, they record the differences in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Dirt We Depend On; How Soil Was Formed Reading Comprehension Worksheet

For Students 4th - 6th
In this soil formation reading comprehension instructional activity, students read a 2 page non-fiction article. They answer 19 questions including fill in the blank, multiple choice, and true or false about weathering of the Earth as...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Rocks

For Teachers K
Students recognize differences in the size, shape, texture, and color of different rocks. In this rocks lesson plan, students also learn and repeat back how a volcano erupts and make one out of a toilet paper tube.
Lesson Plan
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Properties of Rocks

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students compare the properties of rocks. They identify objects made of rocky materials such as walls, sidewalks, etc. Students describe and group rocks based on their characteristics.
Lesson Plan
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Investigation 2 - Classifying Rocks

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify basic properties of minerals and rocks. They access websites and utilize worksheets imbedded in this instructional activity to further their understanding of rock classification.
Lesson Plan
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The Rock Cycle

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the 3 main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic. They examine samples of these types of rocks and discuss ways to tell what kind of rock each is. They take notes and draw pictures in their science...
Lesson Plan
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Rock, Soil, or Water?

For Teachers K
Pupils participate in an activity in which they identify properties of water, soil and rocks. They work together to identify different types of rocks. They ask questions to complete the instructional activity.
Lesson Plan
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Layering the Soil

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners study and classify soil. In this soil science lesson plan, students classify soil by texture and size and study soil horizons. Learners label the soil types with their specific soil horizon and learn about permafrost. Students...
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 plan, 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping Soil in Its Place

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate erosion. In 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.