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Crops Investigation #3

Goal:

The goal of this activity is to introduce students to the variety of soils found in their region.

Objectives:

Students will make a list of the characteristics of their soil sample.

Standards Met:

Overview:

Each student brought a soil sample from home on the first day of this unit.  Students will examine the soil in order to determine its characteristics.

Materials:

Resources:

Actions:

Prior to the lesson:

  1. Students will have been given the assignment to bring a sandwich-sized zipper bag of soil from their yard to class.

During the lesson:

  1. Have students place their soil sample in individual Mason Jars or quart-sized jars with lids. Alternately, they can be left in the baggies or put into a stronger baggie. Be sure that each is labeled with its location collected and who brought it in.
  2. Put the jars in a row in the classroom somewhere out of direct sunlight.
  3. Ask the students to describe what is similar and what is different.
  4. Discuss soil characteristics.  What colors do you see?  What sizes are the soil particles?  How porous is the soil?  Do you see living things in the soil?  Do you see roots or sticks in the soil?  Does the soil feel wet or dry?  Does the soil stick together when you squeeze it?   We suggest using the "GLOBE" protocols, see resources.
  5. Have the students use classroom protocols or the "GLOBE" protocols to describe their individual soils.  Students should record this information in their science notebook.
  6. Plot the location of each soil sample on the county map using a dot and the students' initials.
    7.  

Extensions:

  1. Introduce the concept of a soil profile.  Have the students use their soil analytical skills to examine a local soil profile. 

Assessment:

Notebooks will be checked for completeness. Complete notebooks will receive 10 points. Incomplete notebooks will be downgraded according to the policies of individual classrooms.

Reflection:

Please write a reflection after you teach this lesson to help us make improvements. Reflections should be e-mailed to j.okeefe@moreheadstate.edu and c.wymer@moreheadstate.edu. If you also complete student reflections, please include these as well.