What's Soil Got to Do With it?

Kindergarten - 5th Grade Lesson

Types by Texture

Students investigate soil texture and determine the texture of several soil samples.

K-2nd Grade Lessons

3rd - 5th Grade Lessons

Literacy Connections 

K - 2 Literature 

• The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle

This book introduces children to the life cycle of a plant and the role of soil in a plant’s growth, helping them understand how different soil types affect plants.

• “The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree” by Gail Gibbons

Arnold’s observation of his apple tree throughout the seasons provides insights into the importance of soil and how it supports plant life, aligning with the concepts of soil texture and its role in growth.

• “The Carrot Seed” by Ruth Krauss

This classic story about a child growing a carrot explores soil and plant growth, providing a foundation for understanding how soil types impact plants, even though it doesn’t specify soil textures directly.

Art Projects 

Local Contacts

Natural Resources Conservation Service 

Andrew Donaldson

• • • (541) 573 - 6446

    • andrew.donaldson@usda.gov

    • https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/oregon 

Additional Resources

• Soil Health Technical Note No. 450-06 - Produced by NRCS, this guide offers a number of activities to measure soil health.