This lesson is designed after research done on the ecology of soil lichen in the Tucson Basin area during the summers of 1997 and 1998. Its purpose is to guide learners into adopting the problem solving thinking of ecologists. The lesson...

In this soil condition learning exercise, students record the soil and air temperature as well as the day length and cloud cover in a small outside area for two weeks. They complete 5 short answer questions and draw graphs of the data.

Students create soil profiles, including rock, clay, silt, sand, and humus, in clear plastic cups out of edible materials.

In this science instructional activity, students examine the topic in order to solidify knowledge covered in the curriculum using puzzles and creative games.

In this world's soil instructional activity, students use an apple to simulate the amount of soil in the world. They cut the apple into 1/32 to represent the soil and along the way they draw pictures for each cut and label what the...

A professional-quality PowerPoint, which includes links to footage of actual landslides in action, opens this moving lesson. Viewers learn what conditions lead to erosion and land giving way. They simulate landslides with a variety of...

We know that the type of soil varies by location, but does the seafloor sediment also vary, or is it all the same? Scholars compare photos of the seafloor from two different locations: the Savannah Scarp and the Charleston Bump. Through...

The slope of the land is an important feature when considering the erosion that will occur. In this resource, which is part of a rain garden unit, learners calculate the slope of the proposed garden site. Even if you are not planning a...

Students study and classify soil. For this soil science lesson, students classify soil by texture and size and study soil horizons. Students label the soil types with their specific soil horizon and learn about permafrost. Students...

The grammar is problematic on several of the slides in this collection, but the information is generally accurate. If you don't mind making a some corrections rather than starting from scratch, this presentation will save you some...

Second graders participate in a soil activity.  In this soil instructional activity students complete a worksheet describing  different soil types and the organic and inorganic things found in them. 

Amaze soil scientists with a list of the myriad of microorganisms residing in a mere 1/4 teaspoon of soil! Then take them on a ride through the carbon cycle, down to the level of decomposers. Finally, give more specific details about the...

In this word search worksheet, learners read several paragraphs about the types of soil. Students then use the bold words to complete the word search puzzle.

The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, but do they care what soil is all about? Find out in an easy and fun controlled experiment. Have your young  biologists hypothesize, test, and draw conclusions about which type of soil worms...

Learners study living and non-living materials that are found in soil. They study the things required by plants and animals to remain healthy. They design a collage of sand, stones, leaves and other natural items.

Fertility in soil is the topic of this presentation. Future farmers will be able to define fertilizer, list ten essential soil elements, and describe the roles of both primary and secondary nutrients in plant production. Although there...

In this science review for grade 3 (3.1) worksheet, 3rd graders answer 25 multiple choice questions about earth science in standardized test format.

A unique PowerPoint explains the basics of plant science. It motivates viewers to study plant science and then lists different food products, biofuels, fibers, timber, and ornamental uses of plants. It concludes with lists of careers...

In this science review for grade 3 (3.5) worksheet, 3rd graders answer 25 multiple choice questions in standardized test format about fossils, simple machines and heat transfer.

Learners make predictions and analyze soil. In this soil properties lesson, students make predictions about soil properties for various soil samples. Learners examine the types of soils and record their observations. Students analyze...

It's difficult to guess the original goal of this presentation. It examines four factors to be evaluated, but their direct connection is unclear. Soil texture is described in three slides. The depth of material is examined in two slides....

Whoa! What just happened? That's right, change is everywhere. But what exactly is changing? Middle school science sleuths get to the bottom of the changes matter can experience. Through simple demonstrations, engaging videos, and an...

Second graders name the various materials that comprise soil, including weathered rock and other organic matter; and explain that soils differ in their color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many...

Get your hands dirty with an interactive lesson that showcases the process of decomposing and returning nutrients back into the soil. After building a compost pile, pupils regularly observe the...