Soil Composition and Management Teacher Resources

It's time to roll up those sleeves and get a little dirty in the second lesson of this series on the science of food. Investigate where plants and animals get the minerals they need to live in this two-part exploration of soil. First,...

Learners examine soil. In this soil composition lesson students participate in soil sedimentation and filtration activities. The learners discuss what non-living and living things are in soil and why it is so important.

Ready to roll up those sleeves and get your hands dirty? Dirty with soil science content, that is! Overcome those "But it's just dirt" objections with a trip outside to collect soil samples for some in-class analysis. Use the...

Not all soil is created equal. Learners examine what to look for in a soil sample to identify key characteristics that don't require lab testing. They see that it's easy to verify observations by comparing the samples to a soil map.

Some scientists spend their entire careers analyzing and learning about soils. An interesting video lesson provides an overview of what soil scientists do and why. Pupils learn how soil analysis connects to other branches of science...

Soil is 25 percent air on average. Learners may have a difficult time accepting that fact without a visual to demonstrate the property. A quick video lesson uses a model to show how this percentage is true and also discusses the...

How do the different types of soil allow water to flow? Scholars compare flocculated and dispersed soils and their ability to move water through the soil. Silt, sand, and clay particles clump together and create large pores in the soil...

Young scholars find ways to decrease soil runoff for an African Village as a part of a Peace Corps project. In this soil runoff instructional activity, students play a soil runoff challenge online. Young scholars complete online...

Fourth graders examine soil to find its contents, and how much water and air they can measure.  In this soil composition instructional activity, 4th graders perform three experiments and record their results.  In one experiment...

Do great gardeners really have green thumbs—or just really great soil? Environmental scholars discover what makes Earth's soil and soil quality so important through research and experimentation. Learners also develop an understanding of...

Soil pollution has a longer reach than may seem possible. A video presentation demonstrates how a seemingly isolated soil contamination spreads and even reaches waterways. The lesson demonstrates how scientists conduct porosity tests...

There's some serious science behind farming! A quick video lesson presents the process of collecting a random field soil sample for analysis. Instruction includes what a random sample looks like as well as how to prepare the sample for...

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.

Students examine the basics about soil.  In this soil lesson students describe the physical properties of soil and explain what soil profile is. 

In this soil profile activity, students use a cup to create the layers of soil using clay, sand, gravel and dirt. Students label each component as either A, B, or C horizon and the bedrock. They answer questions about their model.

All aspects of soil and its components are reviewed here.  Your class will learn how certain organisms help the quality of the earth and support growth.  Different ways to enhance the chemical make-up are described and will be...

What's in soil? Young scientists study the pH levels of soil from their school yard. They observe the land and area the soil came from to decide if location has anything to do with acidity level.

Groups of three scientists from the rocky planet Zog investigate the composition of soil so that they can take the information back to their home, create soil there, and begin to grow food.

Students study the basics of soil science. They research and gather data through readings, videos, and performance of laboratory investigations. As a team they generate oral and written recommendations for the amendment of soil.

In this composition of soil activity, students study the make-up of soil by identifying the amount of air in the soil, the amount of water in the soil, the size of the mineral grains in the soil and the proportion of humus in the soil....

Students create soil profiles, including rock, clay, silt, sand, and humus, in clear plastic cups out of edible materials.

What defines a random sample? Scholars learn how to collect a random soil sample from a large field. The narrator explains the importance of ensuring the sample is random and shows how to create a random sample before sending it to the lab.

Students investigate the properties of rocks. In this geology lesson, students draw their profile and discuss what a soil profile would look like. Additionally, students demonstrate how to make soil by rubbing two pieces of sandstone...