Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Stories

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders collect and analyze soil samples and extrapolate the characteristics needed to support different types of plant life. They research different types of prairie soil and how it supports plant and animal life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Investigating Soil Color and Texture"

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders will identify/understand the differences between soil and dirt. They will classify soil color accurately and use Munsell notation to describe it (Munsell books provided).Students will classify soil texture using the feel...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Top Canopy Field Trip

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Young scholars visit the Greenheart Canopy Walkway. In this environmental lesson, students experience a coastal rain forest ecosystem. Young scholars interact and explore the different layers of the rain forest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Soil

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

Soil Profile

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research soil layers and create a soil profile in a jar.  In this soil profile lesson, 4th graders working in groups, research a given layer of soil, make a 3-5 minute presentation to the class, and complete a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Edible Soil

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Learners 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Are the Layers of the Rain Forest?

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students investigate the different levels of the rain forest by comparing it to an apartment.  In this ecology lesson, students practice using forest related vocabulary words and complete a vocabulary data sheet.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layers of The Past

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders identify methods archaeologists use to date soil layers. They interpret soil profiles and discuss the examination of soil at a dig site. They discuss texture and color of soil.
Lesson Plan
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PBS

Creating a Butterfly Garden and Habitat

For Teachers 1st - 4th
This complete set of instructions for creating your very own butterfly garden and habitat is so cool! With some seeds and the handy resources in this activity, you and your class will be able to determine which type of habitat is best...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Stab!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Your geology class practices taking core samples of a potato to examine the stratigraphy. This is a terrific modeling lesson plan that helps youngsters visualize strata that cannot be seen from the surface of the ground. The directions...
Lesson Plan
Polar Bears International

Top of the World

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learn about polar bears and the Arctic circle with a lesson about the countries and conditions of the region. After examining how the area differs from Antarctica, kids explore climates, animals, and geographical position...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of Weathering

For Teachers 3rd
Here's a great geology lesson for 3rd graders on weathering and erosion of soil. After a class discussion on how nature can "move a mountain," learners take a look at how a modern phenoma called acid rain can also cause weathering and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation 6 - Soil Profile

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the components of soil. They observe the basic components of soil and relate the components to plant growth. They record color, texture, and kinds of materials on their profile log (light color, denser, grittier -...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layering the Soil

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study and classify soil. In this soil science lesson, students classify soil by texture and size and study soil horizons. Students label the soil types with their specific soil horizon and learn about permafrost. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the Earth's crust by researching pH levels and acidity. In this environmental safety lesson, students identify the pros and cons of acidity within soil and how it affects plants. Students collaborate in a pH level...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Edible Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students model the soils layers using Oreo's. In this lesson students use their favorite food items to create a model of soil layers. A discovery lesson from a youth camp is adapted for classroom modeling and discussion of soil...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Layers

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders identify the different layers of soil. In this earth science lesson, 9th graders explain how limestone layers are formed. They identify the different parts of the coral colony.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under Our Feet

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students investigate the forest ecosystem to learn of the living and non-living elements of the soil. In this ecosystem instructional activity, students examine soil for twigs, moss, fungi, leaves, roots and other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shoe Box Archaeology

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars assemble a shoe box following a layered pattern alternating between soil and artifacts. The layers of artifacts begin with the grandparents and end with the student's own personal possessions.
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 6: Biomes and Landscapes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Aside from the amazing animals in Gorongosa National Park, what else is there to discover? The sixth installment in an eight-part themed series contains an interactive map where scholars can learn more about the geographic features of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get the Dirt

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate a variety of soil samples placed in cold water jars. Layers of soil are examined for the difference between organic matter and rock fragments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquake Science Project

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners simulate the Earth's plates moving like an earthquake by using newspaper and soil. In this earthquake lesson plan, students push and pull the newspaper together that has soil on top and observe what happens.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate and Temperature

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore what the soil temperature would be on the north and south sides of a building. In this temperature lesson, students hypothesize what the results will be using a thermometer and then after a week see what the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine soil erosion and what causes it.  In this soil lesson students complete several experiments on soil erosion and the weathering process.