Describe characteristics and components of living soil
THEME: The Living Soil–The Living Plant: We are all Interconnected and Related
STRAND: Science of Living Soil
GRADE LEVEL: 6-8
Key Concepts
Compare and contrast the abiotic and biotic factors of the soil and how they relate to other systems.
Recognize and classify sand, silt, clay, and loam.
Understand proportional relationships between soil components.
Lesson
Using a quadrat, hand lens, and/or magiscope describe and draw soils from different areas. Make qualitative and quantitative observations.
Soil percolation and absorption test to analyze porosity and components of soil.
Use a soil test kit to analyze basic soil chemistry- nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH and determine what amendments to put in the area to create optimal soil health.
Analyze soils using the clump test.
Construct loamy soil necessary for optimum plant growth.
\*See Appendix:
Activity
Percolation and absorption tests.
Use technology to research soil maps of the island.
Create a pie graph to represent soil components.
Research soil components: clay, silt, sand, humus.