Curated OER
Does Soil Get Soggy?
Study the properties of soil and water absorption with a science activity. Based on a paragraph with background knowledge on sandy soil, silt, and clay soil, third graders choose which illustration represents a bottle full of sandy soil....
Curated OER
Sand Shakes & Mud Pies: Investigating Sediment
Take a field trip to a location where water and land meet to study patterns of sediment organization in wet habitats: river or ocean beaches, sand dunes, tidal marshes, the edge of a pond, or a woodland stream. Small groups collect pairs...
Curated OER
Chapter 3 ~ Physical Properties of Soil
Though information-packed, this presentation on soil is drab if it stands alone. As you journey through slides about soil texture, make sure to pass around samples of each type. Perform demonstrations as you lecture on soil density and...
Curated OER
Soil
For this soil worksheet, students read about soil and the attributes that determine how soil is formed. They then answer the 11 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
Curated OER
"Egypt, Gift of Nile"
Sixth graders are introduced to the basics of ancient Egypt focusing on the Nile River and the necessity of the river. The students work in small groups and
become "experts" on the given topic and then present the information that
was...
Curated OER
Salmon Scavenger Hunt
Students go on a salmon scavenger hunt to find out about threats to salmon populations. They gather information about some of the reasons wild salmon have gone from such incredible abundance to relative scarcity, and about some of the...
Curated OER
Edible Soils
Students create soil profiles, including rock, clay, silt, sand, and humus, in clear plastic cups out of edible materials.
Curated OER
Pebbles Sand and Silt
First graders investigate soil, sand and silt. In this environment lesson, 1st graders discuss how changes occur in the environment and the effects of weather. Students perform their own investigation and record their predictions,...
Curated OER
Shake, Rattle & Roll
Students examine soil. For this science lesson, students examine the layers of soil. Students collect soil from various locations and separate the layers. Students record and chart their findings.
Curated OER
Playing In The Dirt - Discovering Soil
Middle schoolers discuss some the different types of soil in Oklahoma. They identify the soil types and explore the characteristics of each type of soil. In groups, students perform hands-on activities such as taking soil samples,...
Curated OER
Puddles and Soil
Students determine which of several soil samples (sand, soil, and slit) produces puddles, providing insight into the permeability of these different soils. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, collect,...
Curated OER
Soil Structure
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...
Curated OER
Wonderful Wetlands
Fourth graders create a model of Utah wetlands using clay, sponges and soil. They identify the value the wetlands have to plants and animals. They simulate rainfall to observe how wetlands help filter silt and pollutants from the water.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: What Is Soil Made Of?
Do you know what makes up soil? Soil is a combination of many different living and non-living things and provides raw materials needed by all living things. In this lesson students will explore a sample of natural soil by identifying and...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: The Dirt on Soil
This interactive website explores the various soil layers and introduces you to the lifeforms that live in those soil layers.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Habitat Part 2
This activity is designed for students to examine soil and determine which soil will be the best for plant growth. The students will also investigate the effect of sunlight on plants and the importance of sunlight in producing chlorophyll.
![Foss Web: Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Activities [Pdf] Activity](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Foss Web: Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Activities [Pdf] Activity")
University of California
Foss Web: Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Activities [Pdf]
Discover how pebbles, sand, and silt are used around us everyday in this set of activities for students.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Soil Properties
Students investigate soil porosity by building a model using the three main soil textures: sand, silt, and clay.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: The Great Plant Escape: Soiled Again
Become a detective and solve the soil mystery! To solve the case you must discover what soil is, why it's important, and in what kind of soil do plants grow. You will find out the four components of soil along with the different soil...
Michigan Reach Out
Michigan Reach Out!: Digging the Earth's Crust
Lesson plans from Michigan Reach Out! to help learners understand the different soil types and what uses they would be good for.
Texas A&M University
Soil Physical Properties: Texture
Descriptive site provides details on the physical properties of soil. Contains a brief description on soil texture as well as structure, consistence and color.
University of Arizona
University of Arizona: Az Master Gardener Manual: Properties of Soil
Site provides a brief description of soil texture as well as discusses the relative size of soil particles.
Other
Southern Kings Consolidated School: Loess
This site describes loess in pretty good detail, also adding visual with two pictures. Great source for understanding how loess occurs and where it is found.