Soil Composition

1
Soil Composition

• Introduction
• Task
• Resources
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Standards
• Citations
• Teacher Notes

• A WebQuest for 3rd Grade
• (Science)
• Designed by Melissa Bellman 3b_at_spps.noacsc.org
• EDTL 680 Information Literacy for Teaching and
  Learning Summer 2005
• Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

2
Introduction

• Students! You are going to get down and dirty as
  you explore the layers of soil. Then you will
  investigate some of the critters in the soil and
  last but not least you will be going on a soil
  safari!

3
Task

• Students will be divided into groups with six
  members. Each group will be expected to finish
  three tasks. Those tasks are 1. Down Dirty 2.
  Field Guide and 3. Soil Safari. After completing
  these three tasks students should be able to
  describe the different layers of soil and the
  composition of the soil.

4
Resources

• Computers
• Pencils
• Storybook paper
• Crayons or markers
• Journals

5
Process

• Groups need to number themselves from 1-6
  according to their birthdates.
• Task 1 Down and Dirty You will each need to
  sketch a diagram in your journal similar to what
  you see on the computer and label each layer from
  the surface to the bedrock. Then, write at least
  one fact for each layer.
• Task 2 Field Guide In this task you will each
  research your critters. Then draw a picture of
  it and write a paragraph describing it on your
  storybook paper.
• 1 - You are bacteria
• 2 You are a Beetle Mite
• 3 You are an Eastern Mole
• 4 You are a Nemotode (Round Worm)
• 5 You are a Night Crawler
• 6 You are an amoeba

6
Process Continued

• Task 3 Soil Safari In the Soil Safari your
  group will have some fun while scanning and
  searching through the layers of the earth in
  order to find something that will stop a toxic
  chemical from destroying a meadow.
• Wrap Up After completing all three tasks all
  the 1s will get together, 2s will get together
  and so on. Each group will discuss what they
  think would happen if their critter would not
  exist. You will present your thoughts to the
  class.

7
Evaluation
8
Conclusion

• Congratulations! You got down and dirty and
  learned about the layers of soil. You
  investigated plants and animals in the soil and
  you even went of a soil safari! Great Job!
• Now maybe you can talk your teacher into making
  the Soil Cake Recipe! (This can be found in the
  teachers notes.)

9
Standards

• Observe and describe the composition of soil
  (e.g., small pieces of rock and decomposed pieces
  of plants and animals, and products of plants and
  animals).
• Investigate the properties of soil (e.g., color,
  texture, capacity to retain water, ability to
  support plant growth).
• Investigate that soils are often found in layers
  and can be different from place to place.

10
Teacher Notes

• This is a short term web quest which may last 1-3
  class periods.
• Here is a 10 minute learning activity which is a
  good introduction for building up background
  knowledge about soil. (Hint You may want to
  print out the steps of the instructions.)
• The following web sites could be very beneficial
  to you and your class while learning about soil
  composition.
• Soil Composition Project
• Soil Recipe
• Soil Science Education
• Super Science Soil Sleuths
• Worm World About Earth Worms
• Soil Cake Recipe

11

• 10 Minute Learning Activity Database SIRS
  Discoverer
• Topic/Subject Area Science/Soil Composition
• Essential Question What is soil made up of and
  how can we take care of it?
• Academic Content Standards Diocese of Toledo
  Standards
• Standard Earth Systems
• Benchmark C. Describe Earths resources
  including rocks, soil, water, air, animals and
  plants and the ways in which they can be
  conserved.
• Grade Level Indicator 4. Observe and describe
  the composition of soil.
• Search Steps
• Type address www.infohio.org
• Select Resources for Grades K-5
• Click on SIRS Discoverer
• Enter User name and password if prompted
• Type soil in the search box and click search
• Click on More about.The Scoop on Soil
• Read the article, then in your journal answer the
  essential question What is soil made up of and
  how can we take care of it?
• Additional Comments on Search Process
• Sirs Discoverer has many additional interesting
  and related articles about soil.
• Your teacher, school librarian or technology
  coordinator may have your username and password
  for you.

12
Citations

• Soil composition project. (1997). Retrieved Jul.
  28, 2005, from The Family Farm Project Web site
  http//www2.kenyon.edu/Projects/Farmschool/nature/
  particle.htm.
• The dirt on soil. (2005). Retrieved Aug. 01,
  2005, from Discovery School Web site
  http//school.discovery.com/schooladventures/soil/
  .
• Soil recipe. (1995). Retrieved Aug. 01, 2005,
  from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web
  site http//www.epa.gov/oerrpage/superfund/studen
  ts/clas_act/fall/recipe.htm.
• Soil science education home page. (2005).
  Retrieved Aug. 01, 2005, from Soil Science
  Education Home Page Web site http//ltpwww.gsfc.n
  asa.gov/globe/.
• Super science soil sleuths. (n.d.). Retrieved
  Aug. 01, 2005, from Super Science Soil Sleuths
  Web site http//www.florence.ars.usda.gov/kidsonl
  y/element/pg2.htm.
• All about earthworms. (2000). Retrieved Aug. 01,
  2005, from Discovery Kids Web site
  http//yucky.kids.discovery.com/flash/worm/pg00010
  2.html.
• Rubistar. (2005). Retrieved Aug. 01, 2005, from
  Rubistar Web site http//rubistar.4teachers.org/i
  ndex.php.
• Sirs discoverer. (2005). Retrieved Aug. 01, 2005,
  from http//discoverer.sirs.com/cgi-bin/dis-frontp
  age?idDINFOHIO1-0-244.