Teach ME Food & Farms

Lessons & Resources for Educators

Log in

FavoriteLoadingSave To My Library

The Soil’s Alive

soilaliveDownload This Lesson:  The Soil’s Alive

Brief Description:  Discover more about what lives in the soil and what it is composed of.

 

 

 

OBJECTIVES

The students will:

  • observe relationship by comparing and contrasting soil samples
  • note differences in soil texture, color, and moisture content
  • describe living creatures in the soil

ESTIMATED TEACHING TIME

45-60  minutes

 

Correlations to State of Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction

ELA = English Language Arts,   HE/PE = Health Education and Physical Education,    MA = Mathematics,    SCI = Science,   SS = Social Studies,   VPA = Visual and Performing Arts

** Alignment possible only if lesson extension is done

Grade

Maine Learning Results

Common Core Standards for English and
Mathematics

 3-5

SCI – D2. Students describe the properties of
Earth’s surface materials, the processes that change
them, and cycles that affect the Earth.

d. Describe the kinds of materials that form rocks and soil.

ELA

**Writing: B3. Students write to identify and explain
a position to an identified audience

b. Write about a central question or idea by using
relevant supporting facts and details.

Listening & Speaking: E2 Students apply active
listening skills.

a. Ask clarifying questions.

 

 

 

**ELA

Speaking & Listening

Grade 3: 4. Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount
an experience with appropriate facts and relevant,
descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

Grade 4: 4. Report on a topic or text, tell a story,
or recount an experience in an organized manner,
using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details
to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an
understandable pace.

Grade 5: 4. Report on a topic or text or present an opinion,
sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and
relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas
or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

Writing

Grade 3: 1. Write opinion pieces on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view with reasons

Grade 4: 1. Write opinion pieces on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

Grade 5: 1. Write opinion pieces on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

 

Lesson Extension: Writing Activity – Students will make chart entries that include: description and location of sample, size of sample, and number of plants, insects, animals, and other objects. After all entries have been made, students will write a short essay giving their opinion about which soil would be most appropriate for growing crops. Opinion must be supported by observations made and knowledge of needs of plants.