Soils
rd
3 Report Period
Soils, a 16-lesson unit for second-graders, deepen children’s
awareness and appreciation of soil. Using simple tests, students learn
to identify sand, clay, and humus in soil. They also study how water
affects different kinds of soil. Through long-term experiments, they
explore how roots and plants grow in various soils and how, with the
help of worms, old plants decompose and become part of soil. Then applying
what they have learned, they investigate their own local soil.
Web Sites
http://sustainable.tamu.edu/slidesets/kidscompost/kid1.html
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/case2/index.html
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/worms/
Concepts
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Soil contains particles of different sizes.
Soil may contain animals, plants and their remains
Over time, dead plants become part of soil.
Composting- especially with worms- is an effective way to recycle old plants and other
discarded organic matter.
Sand, clay, and humus are three of the basic components in soil.
Every soil component has unique properties that can be identified using simple tests.
Different soils absorb water at different rates.
Many factors, including soil, affect plant and root growth.
Skills
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Performing simple tests to describe and identify soil components.
Observing recording, and organizing test results.
Interpreting test results to draw conclusions about soil composition.
Reflecting on test results to predict how plants will grow in different soils.
Assembling laboratory materials for soil experiments.
Communicating results and ideas through writing, drawing, and discussion.
Applying previously learned concepts and skills to analyze unfamiliar soil samples.
Vocabulary
organic matter – the remains of decayed and decomposing plants and animals
inorganic matter – anything that does not come from living things. Sand, silt, and clay are examples of
inorganic matter in soil
top soil – the uppermost layer of soil where you will find humus, plant roots, and living creatures such as
microbes and worms
silt – is finer than sand and coarser than clay. Silt is often carried great distances from its source by wind and
water and deposited as sediment.
humus – decayed plant and animal material in soil
compost – a mixture of decayed leaves, vegetable, and other plant materials
casting – a worms excretion from the eating and breaking down of decaying plants and soil
sand – a part of soil, which is smaller than gravel but bigger than silt or clay, and is formed of very fine
particles resulting from the erosion of rocks.
clay – a component of soil that sticks together when moistened
pore spaces – the place between the soil particles that can be filled with either air or water.
smear – a test which scientists thinly spread a smudge or blur of soil for examination
settling – a test which scientists observing how water and soil mix together observing the soil that sinks slowly
to the bottom
Continued on the next page
Vocabulary continued
germinate – the process in which a seed swells up and forms tiny roots that reach down into the soil to provide
a plant with nourishment and anchor it in place
sprout – to grow
loamy soil – rich, loose soil
decompose – the dying and decaying of living things
sieve – a tool used to separate the soil mixtures
gravel – a part of soil that is small or pebble-sized pieces of rock
texture – the feel and look of something
test tube – a long thin tube used to hold soil materials for testing or experimenting
funnel - a tool that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom used for guiding water or soil into a small
opening
filter – an object that allows liquid to pass through, but holds back any solid particles
recycle – to change waste into a form that it can be used again
Family Activities
Soil Observation
You will closely observe a patch of ground to explore the variety of life in the area and discover the soil
composition.
Material needed: 12-24 inches of string or yarn
Garden trowel
Magnifying glass
White paper
Procedure:
1. Tie the ends of the string together so you have a circle.
2. Find a patch of your yard or garden that your parents say is ok to dig up.
3. Place your string in a circle on the ground.
4. Get down close to the circle and observe. Look at the different types and sizes of plants, look for insects
and other creatures, and observe soil color and texture.
5. Carefully dig the grass up and look at the root systems, and look for any creatures that may be there.
6. Then observe the soil underneath, look at color, texture, particle size, and soil composition.
7. Look for creatures-worms, insects
Worm Wrap
Caroline Haviland Warner
A worm doesn’t have any bones inside,
But that doesn’t stop if from taking a rid
Through the soil. Yeah, a worm is strong
If it had to, it could carry 10 others along.
No Bones!
No Bones!
No Bones!
No Bones!
A worm has got not Bones!
NO BONES!
A worm doesn’t have any eyes to see,
But that doesn’t mean it will bump into a tree
It Feels vibrations, deep in the ground,
And then it starts to move and wiggle around.
No Eyes!
No Eyes!
No Eyes!
No Eyes!
A worm has got no Eyes!
NO EYES!
A worm doesn’t have any feet you know,
But that doesn’t stop it from making a hole
Deep in the soil and when the rain comes down
The worms will come out or they will drown.
No Feet!
No Feet!
No Feet!
No Feet!
A worm has got no Feet!
NO FEET!
A worm doesn’t’ have any teeth to chew,
But that doesn’t’ stop them from eating food.
They take little bits of the dirt in their mouth,
And when it’s all eaten, rich soil comes out!
No Teeth!
No Teeth!
No Teeth!
No Teeth!
A worm has got no Teeth!
NO TEETH!
NO BONES,
NO EYES,
NO FEET,
NO TEETH!
A worm has got no Bones, no Eyes, no Feet, no Teeth!
YEAH
JELL-O® Wiggly JIGGLERS® Worms
Recipe Rating:
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Makes: 16 servings, 1 worm each
Nutrition Information
Kraft Kitchens Tips
Ratings and comments
1/2 cup boiling water
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Brand Gelatin, any flavor
1-1/2 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
8 FAMOUS Chocolate Wafers, finely crushed
32 small candies
SPRAY 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in medium
microwaveable bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add marshmallows; stir to coat.
MICROWAVE on HIGH 1 min. or until marshmallows are puffed and almost melted; stir gently until
marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended. (Creamy layer will float to the top.)
Pour into prepared pan.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Dip bottom of pan into warm water 15 sec. Loosen edges with knife. Cut into
16 (1/2-inch-wide) strips to resemble worms. Insert 2 candies into one end of each worm for the
"eyes." Sprinkle wafer crumbs on large serving plate for the "dirt;" top with the "worms" just before
serving.
Dish of Dirt
Recipe Rating:
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 15 min
Makes: 4 servings
Nutrition Information
Kraft Kitchens Tips
Ratings and comments
12 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, finely crushed, divided (about 1 cup crumbs)
1 pt. (2 cups) frozen chocolate or vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
1/2 cup COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
8 worm-shaped chewy fruit snacks
SPOON half of the cookie crumbs evenly into 4 dessert dishes, placing about 2 Tbsp. of the crumbs in
each dish.
TOP each with 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 of the remaining cookie crumbs and 1 Tbsp. syrup.
ADD dollop of whipped topping and fruit snack to each dessert.