Curated OER
WALK, DON'T RUN
1. Bring two quarts of moist soil, a cake pan, a sprinkling can of water and a quart of grass clippings to class.
2. Share background material, and introduce the word "erosion."
3. Prepare a small model hill by mounding the soil in the...
Curated OER
Digging in the Dirt
First graders awareness is raised that not all dirt is the same. They compare and observe particle sizes in three different kinds of soils. They keep a record book of what the discover and talk about how some soils are alike and some...
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.
Utah Education Network
Uen: The Dirt on Soil
After completing this instructional activity, students will understand the source and the process for the formation of soil, the different types of soil, and the components of soil.
Other
Physical geography.net: Introduction to Soils
A detailed primer on the composition of soil, its color, pH, texture, and its profile.
The Field Museum
Field Museum: Exhibits: Underground Adventure
The Chicago Field Museum provides a comprehensive soil education project covering topics such as soil structure and organisms living underground. Students can use the site for research or do the full-blown project, where they establish a...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Digging in for Dirt Day!
This lesson is managed through stations that young scholars will rotate around every 20- 30 minutes. Each second grade teacher conducts one station. Parent volunteers can also be used to manage stations. Students will use an auger to...
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.
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.