Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beautiful Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover what are the components of soil. They examine how it is formed and it's importance. They engage in garden activities and processes. They hold a handful of garden soil and describe what they see. They take a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Preparation for Autumn and Winter

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students determine how and why soil needs to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons. In this agriculture instructional activity, students determine how to use gardening tools safely. They show how to work with compost material and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Testing and Texturing

For Teachers K - 8th
Students are introduced to soil textures and why they are important in examining soil quality. They find out how to feel the difference between soil textures. Pupils describe which soil texture is best for gardens and growing healthy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Kind of Garden Would Grow in Our Schoolyard?

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students perform soil tests for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, composition and water percolation rate and assess the conditions in the schoolyard.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The"Dirt" on Soil

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the three different types of soil and their physical properties.  In this soil activity students design and implement a model of a water treatment plant. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Field Trip Preparation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students prepare for a field trip. They navigate through a Underground Network site. This "field trip" can be conducted in a patch of healthy grass or soil anywhere you can find it: right outside your building, in a backyard or at a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Buffering

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers observe the pH change of an acid mixture poured over soil in a filter. Since the buffering capability of soils differs, you may want to do this experiment with several different soil types.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traditional Soil Remediation in the Garden

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use testing kits to analyze garden soil. They research the nutritional needs of various crops as well as the nutritional properties of fish. Students participate in fish harvesting for garden fertilizing.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Value of a Garden

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will work cooperatively. In this environmental lesson plan, students will start by discussing an article and its questions prior to receiving a handout. There are two versions of the handout depending if your students are AP or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Testing Soils for Garden Planting

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders collect soil samples and record the location of the samples by using GPS.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Field Trip Preparation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students make a contingency plan in case of unexpected events such as bad weather. They discuss safety and appropriate conduct.They map out a schedule to ensure that sufficient time is allotted for all activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dishing the Dirt Part 3

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers collect and examine different soil samples. They test for specific types of soil elements and the pH level. They answer questions about optimum growing conditions as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nutrients Nutrients We Need

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the six nutrients humans need to maintain good heath. In this ecosystem lesson, 2nd graders learn about how plants grow and compare how humans need nutrients from plants to how plants need nutrients from the soil....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paleoclimates and Pollen

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze soil for types of pollen to determine the probably climate conditions. In this earth science lesson, students make conclusions on what a climate is like based on soils samples. Students use a model soil...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing Buffers In Lakes, Ponds And Streams

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe the effects of limestone on the acidity of water. Some areas of the nation have a lot of limestone in lake bottoms and in soil, which helps neutralize the effects of acid rain. Students see this effect first hand.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Where is the Dirt? A Lesson in Hydroponics

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars use the Internet to research hydroponic gardening which is the growing of plants without soil. They participate in an experiment where a hydroponic garden is contructed in the classroom for observaion. They recorde...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants

For Teachers K
Students plant bean seeds and draw pictures of the plants as they grow. They create their own garden, plant the seeds, and keep a journal of their growth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mini-Ecosystems

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use plastic bottles to create terrariums and plant Venus Flytraps. They observe the plants and the terrariums for illustrations of the water cycle and species' adaptations to a specific environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking At Acid's Effects On Metals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students perform an experiment that demonstrates acid rain. The chemical effect of acids on metals may take at least five days for the human eye to see, even though the reaction starts as soon as the acid contacts the metal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing The Influence Of Acid Rain On Plant Growth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe one of the direct effects of acid water on plant growth. Students engage in an experiment which will take about 2 weeks. Students will understand the effect that acid rain has on plant growth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring pH

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students perform an experiment which will illustrate how to measure the approximate pH of chemicals in water using a pH indicator. They understand that a pH indicator is a chemical that changes color when it comes in contact with acids...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining The pH Of Common Substances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use a pH indicator to measure the pH of some fruits, common beverages, and borax. Students discover how to differentiate between an object that is an acid or a base.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prairie In A Bottle

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders observe images of prairie ecosystems and discuss the needs of living things. They create a prairie habitat in a closed jar to observe the water cycle and plant growth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Greening of Mars: The Changes Necessary to Sustain Life on Mars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the currents conditions on the planet of Mars. In groups, they work together to develop a mechanism that allows for a balanced ecosystem to survive on the planet. After presenting their ideas to the class, they...