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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Erosion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how erosion is affected by the composition of the soil and the slope of the land. They look at plant roots, rocks and land slope as experimental factors. They complete the associated worksheets before discussing their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion in Different Soils

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe and identify the effects of weathering and geological activities. They take part in an excellent hands-on group activity called "Erosion Race," in which each group tries to simulate erosion of soil in the quickest...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fighting Soil Erosion

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students complete hands-on activities and watch a video to learn about soil erosion. In this erosion instructional activity, students use hands-on studies to investigate soil erosion. Students then visit the given websites to identify...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Probing Below the Surface of Mars

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate the search for water in Mars using simple apparatus. In this space science lesson, students explain how soil temperature affects the cooling of probes. They graph the data collected from the simulation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil pH Effect on Germination of Specific Weeds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners 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,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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 -...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Glass and Soil

For Students 10th - 12th
In this forensic science lesson, learners sketch bullet line fractures and complete 16 short answer questions on glass and soil evidence.
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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 worksheet, 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 soil is renewed.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Volume and Surface Area of Solids

For Students 10th
In this solids worksheet, 10th graders solve and complete 10 different word problems that include determining the volume and surface area of various solids. First, they determine the surface area of a cube as described. Then, students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demonstration of Factors Affecting Soil Temperature

For Teachers 1st - 7th
Students examine the influences of water and mulch on soil temperature.  In this investigative activity students complete a soil experiment. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layering the Soil

For Teachers 6th - 9th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Structure

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine how different soils are made up of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sand. They compare soil samples, conduct Internet research, and create a model to demonstrate the relative sizes of grains of clay, sand, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worming Your Way Through the Soil

For Teachers K - 5th
Students study soil, living and non-living particles in the soil, and learn about composting. In this soil study lesson, students study soil samples and discuss the living and non-living components of the soil. Students classify the...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Soil Formation

For Students 9th - 12th
In this soil formation worksheet, high schoolers 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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping Soil in Its Place

For Teachers 4th
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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Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Capillarity – Measuring Surface Tension

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
How do cohesion and adhesion work together? The third installment of a nine-part series teaches young scientists the difference between adhesion and cohesion. They also learn how cohesion and adhesion work together to cause capillary...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Watering Soil

For Students 1st - 3rd
In this watering soil worksheet, students complete a simple activity, following directions to use a watering can to sprinkle, pour slowly, then pour "faster" onto soil and write about what they notice. Teacher guide is on page 2.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Soil Separator

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students investigate botany by creating a soil separating device.  In this plant life activity, students identify the needs of plants and how important the right soil is in the growing process.  Students define different soil types and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Agents of Erosion

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe and identify the effects of geological activities and weathering on Earth's surface. They also take a look at reports of events such as storms, earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes. There is a hefty hands-on activity...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Preparation for Autumn and Winter

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students determine how and why soil needs to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons. In this agriculture lesson, students determine how to use gardening tools safely. They show how to work with compost material and fertilizer to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Digging the Earth's Crust

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

Porosity and Permeability Lab

For Students 8th - 10th
In this porosity and permeability learning exercise, students experiment with different types of soils such as sand, gravel, pebbled and rocks. They put each soil type in a beaker and pour water in being sure to measure the amount of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perkin' Through the Pores

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners investigate how organic matter increases the amount of water soil will hold. For this water soil lesson plan, students use soil and measure water amounts using organic matter. Learners measure the water holding capacities.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

How Does Vegetation Decrease Erosion?

For Students 5th - 8th
In this erosion instructional activity, students will compare what happens to soil when water flows over soil with no vegetation and soil with vegetation. Then, students will complete four short answer questions.