Introduction to Soils Lesson Plan Summary: Students about the relationship between soils Materials: and the environment. They learn about the For the class: shovel relationship between soil characteristics (pH, root For each group: count and color) and the biome in which the soil plastic Ziploc bags formed. sharpie Source: USGS Park: Jennifer Harden, Kristen Manies pH strips Notre Dame High School: Lee Pruett tweezers Grade level: 10-12 (can be modified for younger students) water bottle Time: Total: 115 minutes ruler (1.5 blocks or three 45 minute periods) soil corer (can be Student Learning Students will understand that soils change purchased from Outcomes: over time and are the product of the Carolina) environment, organisms, relief, parent For each student: material where they are formed. Soil Sampling Field Students will understand that soil changes and Lab Sheets with depth and that this can be assessed Copy of the through pH, color and root count (and to other methods). “Introduction Soils” note sheet Lesson format: Interactive lecture, hands-on activity, field and lab Copy of the soil work puzzle pieces National Standards 5-8: Content Standard C: Populations and Addressed: Ecosystems 5-8: Content Standard E: Understandings about Science and Technology 9-12: Content Standard C: Life Science, Matter, Energy, and Organization in Living Systems 9-12: Content Standard F: Science in Social and Personal Perspectives, Natural Resources DIRECTIONS: Introduction Ask students to turn to a partner to collaborate on filling in the first box of their Introduction to Soils notes: What soil means to different people. Call on students to share. (5 min.) Formally introduce the study of soils and the relationship between soil qualities and the environment using the USGS PowerPoint: Introduction to Soils. (30-40 min.) Introduce the ways in which soil can be defined: Ultilitarian, Ecological, Pedologic Have students fill in the second box of their notes: In their own words, they need to define those three different terms. Instruct students to answer the next two questions as you review the processes that form soil and the services we get from soils. Display the soil threats slide. As students to find a partner and talk about the ways in which the loss of biodiversity, salinization and sealing all lead to further threats to soil.
Summary: Students about the relationship between soils and the environment. They learn about the relationship between soil characteristics (pH, root count and color) and the biome in which the soil formed. Materials: For the class: shovel For each group: plastic Ziploc bags sharpie pH strips tweezers water bottle ruler soil corer (can be purchased from Carolina) For each student: Soil Sampling Field and Lab Sheets Copy of the “Introduction to Soils” note sheet Copy of the soil puzzle pieces Source: USGS Park: Jennifer Harden, Kristen Manies Notre Dame High School: Lee Pruett Grade level: 10-12 (can be modified for younger students) Time: Total: 115 minutes (1.5 blocks or three 45 minute periods) Student Learning Outcomes: Students will understand that soils change over time and are the product of the environment, organisms, relief, parent material where they are formed. Students will understand that soil changes with depth and that this can be assessed through pH, color and root count (and other methods). Lesson format: Interactive lecture, hands-on activity, field and lab work National Standards Addressed: 5-8: Content Standard C: Populations and Ecosystems 5-8: Content Standard E: Understandings about Science and Technology 9-12: Content Standard C: Life Science, Matter, Energy, and Organization in Living Systems 9-12: Content Standard F: Science in Social and Personal Perspectives, Natural Resources Introduction to Soils Lesson Plan DIRECTIONS: Introduction Ask students to turn to a partner to collaborate on filling in the first box of their Introduction to Soils notes: What soil means to different people. Call on students to share. (5 min.) Formally introduce the study of soils and the relationship between soil qualities and the environment using the USGS PowerPoint: Introduction to Soils. (30-40 min.) Introduce the ways in which soil can be defined: Ultilitarian, Ecological, Pedologic Have students fill in the second box of their notes: In their own words, they need to define those three different terms. Instruct students to answer the next two questions as you review the processes that form soil and the services we get from soils. Display the soil threats slide. As students to find a partner and talk about the ways in which the loss of biodiversity, salinization and sealing all lead to further threats to soil.