Houston Baptist University
School of Education
Lesson Plan Format
Subject: Science
Time Estimate:
Unit: Soil
45 Minutes
Grade Level: 4th
Topic: Soil’s Physical Properties
Goal(s): TLW understand that soil is made up of different properties, specifically color and
texture.
Objective(s): As a group, TLW recognize that there are different components of soils and
characteristics that make up those soils.
In pairs, TLW identify four different types of soil and their properties.
In pairs, TLW experiment with the properties of soil.
TEKS: 112.15 7A
Materials/Resources/Technology needs/Room set up – 4 different types of soil such as gravel,
sand, silt, clay, or humus, water, paper plates, and student journal lab sheet.
Instructional Procedures:
Focusing Event: Ask the students what they think they know about soil. Show the discovery
video https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/F39EC919-0568-4AD9-B9A32AC9AEBE7998?hasLocalHost=false
Teaching/Learning Procedures: The students will divide up into groups of 2 or 3 and explore the
four different types of soil and classify them based on their properties of color and texture. They
will fill out their lab sheets and attempt to form the different types of soil into a ball.
Formative Check (ongoing or specific): Observe discoveries and listen to conversations by
watching individual groups.
Reteaching (alternative used as needed): Ask or answer questions as needed.
Closure: Have students share what they learned about properties of soil and make predictions on
what soil will retain more water in anticipation of future experiments. Hand out interactive
journal sheets for them to fill out and put in their journals.
Assessment/Summative Evaluation: Take the lab sheets for a grade.
Modifications/Notes: Group partners as needed.