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Earth Rocks!
Young scholars study the basic elements of the Earth's crust: rocks, soils and minerals. They categorize rocks, soils and minerals and how they are literally the foundation for our civilization. They also explore how engineers use rock...
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Water Cycle
Identify and interpret the earth's different water sources. Third and fourth graders describe and demonstrate the process of the water cycle, make a model of its two main parts, and predict and infer to answer questions about the model.
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Curricular Correlations
An interesting lesson on different types of soils is here for you. In it, learners discuss what soil is, and consider three piles of soil - clay, sand, and loam. During the rest of the lesson, third graders discover all sorts of...
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Soil's Secret
Students examine two types of soils in their area. They identify its texture and permeability to determine its origin. They share their results with the class.
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How Does Your Soil Stack Up?
Students examine the soil in their local area and create a soil profile. They record observations in the field and the classroom. They create their own display of the soil profile as well.
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Just Passing Through
Students explore how water moves through soil. They experiment with different soil types and record their findings.
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Digging Into Soils!
In this soil analysis worksheet, students fill out a chart with information about four samples of soil. Students record notes about 5 questions about the soil samples: feel, color, possible origin, and smell. Students draw a picture of...
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Porosity and Permeability Lab
In this porosity and permeability worksheet, 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 water they...
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soil, Water, and Plants
Students examine the relationship between water retention and plant growth by conducting two experiments. They first compare the water retention qualities of clay, sand and loam soil types. Then they use the data from the first...
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Soil Recipe
Students examine the components of soil. They work together to use different materials to create their own soil. They make their own dirt cake as well.
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Soil Soakers
Students work together to discover the relationship between water holding and drainage characteristics of soils. They record their observations and discuss the results. They examine particle size and pore sizes as well.
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Wetland/Estuary Structure and Functions
Students plant wetland plants in aquatic soil and regular soil. They test the effect fertilizers have on each and record the chemicals found in run-off water collected from each soil sample.
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Perkin' Through the Pores
Fourth graders explore different levels of soil. In this soil instructional activity, 4th graders investigate the amount water that can be absorbed by topsoil, subsoil, and bedrock.
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Soils and Particle Size
In this soil worksheet, students are given a "Textural Triangle" showing the percent of clay, sand and silt in soil as well as measurements of the particles found in soil.
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The Truth About Soils
In this nature activity instructional activity, students call to mind what they know about soil as they respond to 20 true or false questions.
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What Do Soils Have to Do With Me?
In this soils worksheet, students identify how they use soils every day. Students answer 15 short essay questions about uses of soil.
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What is in Soil?
Fourth graders identify and examine the components that make up soil. Individually, they use a magnifying glass to identify the organic and inorganic material in their soil sample. To end the lesson, they record the differences in the...
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The Interrelationships of Soil, Water and Fertilizers and How They Affect Plant Growth
Young scholars examine how different nutrients in the soil and fertilizers affect plant growth. In groups, they participate in a role play in which allows them to see the interactions of humans and plants. They also read articles and...
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Determining the Percolation Rate of Soil
Students discover how water moves through different types of soils. In groups, they use the same sample from a previous activity and empty it into a milk carton in which they have layered with cheesecloth to determine the percolation...
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What is the Composition of Soil?
Students examine the different components that make up soil. Using data, they identify the components of soil in their local area and discover how scientists use the soil to see how it was formed. They also describe the soil forming...
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Water-Holding Capacity
Students design and conduct an experiment to compare the water-holding capacity of sand, soil, and moss. They measure the change in weight for each material after adding the same amount of water to each material.
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Car Wash
Learners determine the most appropriate site for a car wash, based on each site's soil characteristics (chemical, physical) and topographic features. They perform an experiment to determine the changes to three different soil types when...
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Edible Soil
Students examine the components of the soil in their community. Following directions, they create their own edible soil to be eaten at the end of the activity. They discuss what makes soils around the world different from those found...
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Soil Samples
Students complete experiments in which they test the amount of humus in soil samples. They record their data and discuss the results. They write a story about soils to end the lesson.