Introduction to Soil
In this introductory kit, students perform four activities during which they observe several different earth materials with a magnifying lens and describe what they see. Their observations, including metric measurements, are used to help them understand how these materials are classified and identified. Students then apply the skills and understanding developed in the first activity to observe and describe soil samples completely enough to be identified by someone else. These observations and descriptions form the basis for agreeing upon a definition for soil.
Details at a Glance
- 3-4 Days | 3-4 ~50 minute class periods
- 4 Activities
- Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 6 groups of 4 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- All materials are non-consumable
Scientific Concepts
• One way to gather data is through direct observation. Accurate and complete observations are important for making conclusions about the natural world.
• Soil consists of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material from dead plants, animals, and bacteria.
Key Vocabulary: Granite, Gravel, Observation, Organic matter, Rock, Sand, Silt, Soil
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis items
- Materials necessary for the investigation (beyond common classroom items)
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 24 Cups, 1/2 oz. plastic
- 12 Magnifying lenses
- 12 15-cm metric rulers
- 6 Sieves
- 6 Granite, Samples
- 1 Silt, 8 oz. bottle
- 1 Sand, 8 oz. bottle
- 1 Gravel, I8 oz. bottle
- 1 Peat moss, 8 oz. bottle
- 1 Soil A, 16 oz. bottle
- 1 Soil B, 16 oz. bottle
- 1 Plastic teaspoon
- 28 Student Worksheet and Guides: How to Measure Length Using a Metric Ruler
- 28 Student Worksheet and Guides: Introduction to Soil
- 1 Teacher’s Guide with MSDS
- Not included and needed for instruction: Pieces of white paper, flat-bottomed containers such as a tray or box.