Soil Composition and Structure
kit #1102
In this companion to kit # 1101, students continue their exploration of soil. In the first of three activities, students describe a soil sample, then identify the similarities and differences between their group's descriptions and those of other groups and develop a primary definition of soil. Activity 2 expands the investigation of soils by using a water column to separate soil samples into various components. This data provides more evidence on the types and proportions of the different materials in each soil and allows students to refine their previous definition of soil. Activity 3 is a reading which provides information that expands their personal experience and observations from the previous activities to deepen and refine their understanding of the composition, structure and development of soil.
- 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 weather rocks and decomposed organic materials from dead plants, animals, and bacteria
- Soils are often found in layers, with each layer made up of a different chemical composition and texture
Content List in Soil Composition and Structure is as follows:
| Quantity | Description |
|---|---|
| 18 | Cups, 9-oz plastic |
| 12 | Plastic tubes with caps, Clear |
| 12 | 3x5 index cards |
| 8 | Plastic teaspoons |
| 6 | Sieves |
| 6 | Cylinders and bases, 50-mL graduated |
| 6 | Cups, 30-mL graduated |
| 6 | AB trays |
| 1 | Soil A, 32-oz. bottle |
| 1 | Soil B, 32-oz. bottle |
| 28 | Student Worksheet and Guides: How to Measure Length using a Metric Rule |
| 28 | Student Worksheet and Guides: Measuring Volume with a Graduated Cylinder |
| 28 | Student Worksheet and Guides: Soil Composition and Structure |
| 1 | Teacher’s Guide with MSDS |
| 1 | Transparency: Comparing Particle Size |
- Number of students
- 24
- Number of groups
- Maximum 6 groups per period
- Number of classes
- unlimited (no consumable materials)
To complete the three activities in this kit requires three to four ~50-minute class periods.
