Students compare the organic matter found in soil. In this soil lesson, students compare a commercial garden mix soil to their local soil and determine which has more organic material.

Components of soil, such as inorganic or organic materials are detailed along with the main contributions of each. Deposits, weathering, and distinct types of characteristics and properties of soil classes are given.

Students explore decomposition and soil health by creating their own garden.  In this agriculture lesson, students build a "lasagna garden" with organic matter found in the area and plant perennials native to their region....

Class members analyze the water content in soil samples by drying out the samples and taking measurements every minute until all the moisture is gone. Scholars compare the initial weight to the dried weight to calculate the percentage of...

View how microbes grow in soil. Class members first create a Winogradsky column to grow bacteria. They then set up the column of mud in a plastic bottle and include a food source for the microbes and observe the column of mud over the...

Students discuss soil understanding that is is often overlooked as a natural resource. In this science instructional activity, students recognize that we depend on it for energy in the form of foods. Students experiment with six boxes of...

In this soil instructional 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.

Students investigate soil temperatures. In this graphing and earth science lesson, students insert temperature probes into different types of soil at varying depths. Students complete a data chart and construct a related graph...

Young scholars examine soil. In this earth science lesson plan, students define and describe weathering and erosion as it relates to soil. Young scholars compare and contrast potting soil with forest soil and complete a science...

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

This lesson is designed after research done on the ecology of soil lichen in the Tucson Basin area during the summers of 1997 and 1998. Its purpose is to guide learners into adopting the problem solving thinking of ecologists. The lesson...

The grammar is problematic on several of the slides in this collection, but the information is generally accurate. If you don't mind making a some corrections rather than starting from scratch, this presentation will save you some...

Fertility in soil is the topic of this presentation. Future farmers will be able to define fertilizer, list ten essential soil elements, and describe the roles of both primary and secondary nutrients in plant production. Although there...

It's difficult to guess the original goal of this presentation. It examines four factors to be evaluated, but their direct connection is unclear. Soil texture is described in three slides. The depth of material is examined in two slides....

Young scholars examine how effects of farming practices in the early 20th Century contributed to severe soil erosion of a large portion of the North American grasslands.

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...

Dirt is worthless, isn't it? Find out the true value of dirt, and by dirt I mean soil. The class explores what makes soil, the types of soil, and what happens when soil becomes void of its nutrients. There are several great activities,...

In this soil use worksheet, students research soil use in their community and record their observation for 5 different locations. A 3x5 chart is provided to record location, soil use, and comments. Students then complete 10 short answer...

For this soil worksheet, students complete 2 pages about the importance of soil in plant growth. Students read about red worms and answer 2 questions about composting. Students fill out a chart with their observations of plants planted...

In this identifying ways we use soils every day worksheet, students investigate their houses, home environment, clothing labels, and foods to see what was made from things grown in soils. Students write 5 short answers.

Seventy thousand different types of soil exist in the United States alone. Young scientists learn about the importance of soil to the food supply. They test soil for a variety of factors and determine the best place to set up a community...

Knowing about history is one thing, learning form it is another. Rather than just discuss the causes and effects of the Dust Bowl, this presentation discusses what we learned from the Dust Bowl. Presented are the types of agricultural...

Learners investigate chemicals in soil samples. In this soil science lesson, students test local soil to measure the pH, nitrate, phosphate, and potassium content.

Second graders experiment with different types of soil to find the texture. In this types of soil experiment, shake a jar of soil and water and record the settling of the soil. Students record again after 3-4 hours and note the level...