ESS.1.2.2
Carry out investigations to compare the properties of different soil samples from local places relating their capacity to retain water, provide nutrients, and support the growth of plants.
Embedded Files
District Recommended Resources for 1st Grade Science
Science Phenomena Resources
Next Generation Science Standards YouTube Channel
Step 1: Lesson Standards & Learning Goals
Dimension 1:
Science and Engineering Practice: Obtain, Evaluate and Communicate Information: Obtain information using various texts, text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons), and other media that will be useful in describing characteristics of earth materials. Communicate information in tables, writing and extended discussions (NSTA SEP Matrix).
Dimension 2:
Crosscutting Concepts: Systems and System Models
Dimension 3:
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ESS2.A Wind and water can shape the land. The resulting landforms, together with the materials on the land, provide homes for living things.
ESS2.B Rocks, soils, and sand are present in most areas where plants and animals live. There may also be rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.
ESS2.C Water is found in the ocean, rivers, lakes, and ponds. It carries soil and rocks from one place to another and determines the variety of life forms that can live in a particular location (A Framework for K-12 Science Education).
Sample Essential Questions
Sample Essential Questions
What investigations can I carry out to compare the properties of different soil samples from different locations?
How can I compare the properties of different soils from local places?
How do different soils retain water, provide nutrients, and support the growth of plants?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
soil (e.g. clay, sand, humus)
location
retain
characteristics
properties
growth
development
materials
nutrients
plants
seed
grain size
moisture
Students will be able to...
Students will be able to...
Plan and Carry Out Investigations- Make observations (first-hand or from media) and/or measurements to collect data that can be used to make comparisons of soil properties.
Compare- Emphasis is that soil has different characteristics that affect plants.
Students describe similarities and differences between various earth materials (e.g. size, shape, texture)
Plan and Carry out Investigations - With guidance, plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer a question. (e.g. looking at how different soils grow plants and retain water, compare/contrast local vs. store-bought soil when growing seeds)
Students will know...
Students will know...
Rocks, soils, and sand are present in most areas where plants and animals live.
Soil from different places can differ in their capacity to retain water, provide nutrients, and support the growth of plants.
Soils have different properties based on where they are located on the earth.
Earth materials have different properties that sustain plant and animal life.
Step 2: Assessment
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments
Writing Prompts
How can soil support plant growth and development? (e.g. soil has different characteristics that allow for plant growth, most soils can support life but some have more nutrients helpful for plant growth).
What observations did you make in your investigation? (e.g. soil grain size(s) are bigger or smaller, color, texture).
Collectively, what evidence from your investigations supports the claim about which soil is the best for growing plants? (students describe how soil supports plant growth).
Mini Projects and Investigations
Soil Pie: Start by having your students bring in different types of soil from home or outside the classroom (clay, sand, silt, soil). Have each student fill a pie tin with the different soils and then add water. The kids can then mix it up with their hands, creating a “soil pie” that looks like mud! Ask them questions about what they feel (e.g., Does this feel like clay? What does sand feel like? etc.).
Soil Matters: NC Strawberry Association
Step 3: Lesson Instructions
Possible Activating Strategies
Possible Activating Strategies
Soil Mystery: The Case of the Stained Tablecloth.pdfInvestigation:
Soil Mystery: The Case of the Stained Tablecloth. Read the scenario, then predict how the tablecloth got stained. Carry out the investigation on page 2.
Anchor Chart
Exploration:
Get soil samples and have students feel the difference between the types of soil. Have them predict which soil they think will work best for growing plants and holding water. (Flour works well as a substitute for silt.)
Follow up with an investigation to see which holds water best. Soil Water Test: Video with directions
Plant some seeds in each type of soil and see which one grows best. This would be a good opportunity to measure growth, record the data, and create a graph.
Additional Literacy Connections
Dirt or Soil? By Ellen Lawrence
Is All Soil the Same? By Ellen Lawrence
Soil Video and Discussion Questions- Science A-Z
Please visit your Media Center to see available books and resources.
Teacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Science A-Z
Soil video and Discussion Questions (Living and Nonliving Unit)
Ag in the Classroom
Soil - Ag Mag
Discovery Ed Lesson
EPSCO: NCEd, EPSCO, Explora K-3, search topic
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