Description

Guide students through an exciting exploration of the soil beneath their feet wrapped up in 5E lesson plans where students investigate through active learning, then apply their new knowledge to soil as a resource, its importance, and how we can conserve it.

Driving Question What happens to soil when people use it or build on it and why might we care?

Anchor Phenomenon Soil can be reclaimed and restored to properties that make it useful in an area.

ScienceFLEX® Investigative and Real-World Phenomena

• Lesson 1: Soil Composition - What is soil made of?
  • Soils have various properties, such as texture, color, and odor.
• Lesson 2: Soil Components - How do the amounts of different materials affect the properties of soils?
  • Soils are made up of different components.
• Lesson 3: Soil and Water - How does water move through different types of soil?
  • Soils differ in their permeability and rates of absorption of water.
• Lesson 4: Soil Layers - What does a soil profile show and how are they used?
  • Soil formation is a very slow process, occurring over many thousands of years.
• Lesson 5: Soil as a Natural Resource - How is soil used and what can affect its quality?
  • Soil is a vital natural resource.
• Lesson 6: Saving Soil - How can soil be protected or made useful again after negative impacts?
  • People can take action to conserve and restore soil.