Earth Science
The student will investigate and understand the major components of soil, its origin, and its importance to plants and animals including humans. Key concepts include,
a) soil provides the support and nutrients necessary for plant growth;
b) topsoil is a natural product of subsoil and bedrock;
c) rock, clay, silt, sand, and humus are components of soils; and
d) soil is a natural resource and should be conserved.
a) soil provides the support and nutrients necessary for plant growth;
b) topsoil is a natural product of subsoil and bedrock;
c) rock, clay, silt, sand, and humus are components of soils; and
d) soil is a natural resource and should be conserved.
Understanding the Standards 3.7
Soil is important because many plants grow in soil, and it provides support and nutrients for the plants.
Over many years, weather, water, and living organisms help break down rocks and create soil (weathering).
Nutrients are materials that plants and animals need to live and grow.
Rock, clay, silt, sand, and humus are components of soil.
Topsoil is the upper soil surface and a natural product of subsoil and bedrock. Topsoil is best for plant growth.
Subsoil and bedrock are layers of soil under the topsoil that are formed over a long period of time by the action of water.
Subsoil and bedrock are not as good for growing plants as is topsoil.
Humus is decayed matter in soil. It adds nutrients to the soil. It is located in the topsoil.
Clay contains tiny particles of soil that hold water well and provides nutrients.
Sand is made up of small grains of worn-down rock, has few nutrients, and does not hold water well.
Silt is made up of very small broken pieces of rock. Its particles are larger than clay and smaller than sand.
Since soil takes a long time to form, it should be conserved, not wasted
Over many years, weather, water, and living organisms help break down rocks and create soil (weathering).
Nutrients are materials that plants and animals need to live and grow.
Rock, clay, silt, sand, and humus are components of soil.
Topsoil is the upper soil surface and a natural product of subsoil and bedrock. Topsoil is best for plant growth.
Subsoil and bedrock are layers of soil under the topsoil that are formed over a long period of time by the action of water.
Subsoil and bedrock are not as good for growing plants as is topsoil.
Humus is decayed matter in soil. It adds nutrients to the soil. It is located in the topsoil.
Clay contains tiny particles of soil that hold water well and provides nutrients.
Sand is made up of small grains of worn-down rock, has few nutrients, and does not hold water well.
Silt is made up of very small broken pieces of rock. Its particles are larger than clay and smaller than sand.
Since soil takes a long time to form, it should be conserved, not wasted
Interactive websites
http://www.biodiversity911.org/swf/soil.html
-This fun website asks students to answer questions about soil to see what their soil IQ is.
http://www.brainpop.co.uk/science/earthsystem/soil/preview.weml
- An interactive website that teaches kids all about soil and the level of importance that it holds in our ecosystems. Have to sign up for a free trial before playing the game.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/
- Here is a website dedicated to soil and grades 3-5! The students read, watch videos and explore the soil underneath their feet. Really cool graphics and lowish reading level so it is great for all levels in your class.
-This fun website asks students to answer questions about soil to see what their soil IQ is.
http://www.brainpop.co.uk/science/earthsystem/soil/preview.weml
- An interactive website that teaches kids all about soil and the level of importance that it holds in our ecosystems. Have to sign up for a free trial before playing the game.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/
- Here is a website dedicated to soil and grades 3-5! The students read, watch videos and explore the soil underneath their feet. Really cool graphics and lowish reading level so it is great for all levels in your class.
BOOKS
Rose, Walwyn, and Fumiko Hodder. Soil for Sadie. Cambridge: Nightingale, 2008. Print. 9781903491751.
- This book is great because the kids go through a journey with Sade as she explains what different soil she needs for her plants and wha lives in soil.
Soil. By Adele Richardson. 2006. 24 p. Capstone Press, (978-0736833677). Gr. 3 and up.
- This is a great book to use as an introduction to soil for students. It discusses the different types of soil, its properties, erosion, pollution, and even how humans can protect soil
Tomecek, Steve "The Dirtmeister". Jump into Science: Dirt. Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2002. Print. 1426300891.
- This book is very colorful and will catch students attention. It talks about creatures who live in the dirt and how the dirt helps things grow.
Activities
http://www.soil-net.com/sm3objects/activities/Activity_SoilSoaking.pdf
- This is a great activity to introduce students to the relationship between soil and water and the importance that they both hold in our ecosystems.
http://www.miltonoutdoorclassrooms.com/Schools_folder/GOC/Site_pics/Lessons_from_Soil.pdf
- Great activity that can be done indoor or out. It allowes the students to investigate the different kinds of soicl and also its fun to do.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/4hplantandsoils/Lesson%20One-preview.pdf
- Fun activity where students act as soil particles
- This is a great activity to introduce students to the relationship between soil and water and the importance that they both hold in our ecosystems.
http://www.miltonoutdoorclassrooms.com/Schools_folder/GOC/Site_pics/Lessons_from_Soil.pdf
- Great activity that can be done indoor or out. It allowes the students to investigate the different kinds of soicl and also its fun to do.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/4hplantandsoils/Lesson%20One-preview.pdf
- Fun activity where students act as soil particles