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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 instructional activity students design and implement a model of a water treatment plant. 
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Porosity and Permeability Lab

For Students 8th - 10th
For this porosity and permeability worksheet, learners 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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Lesson Plan
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University of Wisconsin

Infiltration Test: Exploring the Flow of Water Through Soils

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Soil scientists gain experience with an infiltrometer can to determine the infiltration rates at different locations on campus. If you are using the entire unit, the class has already analyzed water flow and soil types, so they should...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing and Questioning

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate different types of soil. In this soil lesson, 3rd graders compare various soil samples. They work hands-on with their peers to find the differences and similarities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Testing and Texturing

For Teachers K - 8th
Learners 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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Just Dirt

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars discover how seed germination varies according to the soil type. In this soil science lesson, students discuss what plants need in order to grow and investigate various types of soil. Young scholars use their senses to...
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Lesson Plan
Rivanna Regional Stormwater Education Partnership

Does It Soak Right In?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Which materials are best for groundwater runoff, and which are best for percolation? Discuss the water table with several experiments about different types of soil, pollution, precipitation, and filtration. The experiments assign roles...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keying Rocks

For Teachers 5th
Young geologists learn how to use an identification key in order to classify rocks. The key is designed to help them classify rocks into three types: ignesous, metamorphic, and sediimentary. After an initial teacher-led demonstration,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moh's Hardness Test

For Teachers 4th
Young geologists utilize Moh's hardness scale to help them correctly sort and classify different types of rocks. This lesson has everything you need, including an excellent example of the Mohs' Hardness Test, to successfully implement...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Soil: Original Lesson Plan

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
This lesson is an investigation of soil properties, particularly texture, color and space for air and water. Student inspect soil samples found in their locale, perform several tests to determine different properties, and involves a ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Soil

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate soil contents. In this soil lesson, students gather samples of soil and record their findings on a graphic organizer. After analyzing the material in the soil, students illustrate the layers they found.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Soil

For Students 6th - 9th
In this soil activity, 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Detectives: The Case of the Lost Friends

For Teachers K - 8th
Students show how soil varies across the landscape, they explain how soil can be used to solve mysteries. Pupils are introduced to techniques that would be used to distinguish soils from different places.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

soil, Water, and Plants

For Teachers K - 4th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are able to identify the causes and effects of erosion. They hypothesize ways to help curb erosion. Students are able to identify ways being used now to curb erosion. They are shown two different types of erosion, by putting...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Composition

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine soil. In this soil composition lesson students participate in soil sedimentation and filtration activities. The students discuss what non-living and living things are in soil and why it is so important.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fieldwork: Horizons Under Ground: Digging Through Wetland Soil

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the different soil types and describe the different soils in various environments.  In this soil lesson students walk to a reserve and discuss what they saw. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Archaeological Soils

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the composition of a soil sample. In this archaeology instructional activity, 8th graders describe the different soil layers formed in their activity. They explain how this pattern help archaeologists evaluate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Soil?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students examine soil. For this earth science lesson, students define and describe weathering and erosion as it relates to soil. Students compare and contrast potting soil with forest soil and complete a science observation worksheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting to Know Soil

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students make predictions and analyze soil. In this soil properties lesson, students make predictions about soil properties for various soil samples. Students examine the types of soils and record their observations. Students analyze...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Testing for Chemicals in Soils

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use sight, touch and chemical test kits to evaluate and classify soil types. They determine the organic content, soil pH, conduct visual analysis and nutrient tests of a variety of soil samples from various sources.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Types

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine how sand and rock fragments in soil are products of erosion or the weathering of rocks. They listen to the book "Sand" by Ellen J. Prager and answer discussion questions. Next, they analyze sand samples and sort...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Isn't Dirty; It's Diverse!

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders participate in a soil activity.  In this soil lesson students complete a worksheet describing  different soil types and the organic and inorganic things found in them. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Formation

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate how soil is formed. They analyze types of soil samples, examine soil using a magnifying glass or microscope, complete a chart, conduct a soil and plant experiment, and construct a soil profile.