Soil has Layers
Lesson
Summary
Journal Entry
Vocabulary
Materials
The students will investigate that soils are found in layers by
making a model of a soil profile and discuss how they can be
different from place to place.
Explain: soil profile, Extend: poem on soil
Soil profile
Per student: vial, gravel, potting soil, mix - gravel, sand and
powdered clay, paper for a foldable, Attachment Y
Earth/Space Science
#4 Investigate that soils are often found in layers and can be different from place
to place.
Engage
 Brainstorm: Things that form or come in layers
Rocks, layers of the Earth, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cakes, s’mores

Tell: Soils also come in layers
o Show the poster “The 12 Orders of Soil Taxonomy” which shows
different soil profiles.
Explore
 Make a model of a soil profile
o Give each student a clear vial, gravel, soil mixture (gravel, sand, and
powdered clay), and potting soil.
o The bottom layer in the soil profile will be the bedrock. Bedrock is
large pieces of rock. Have students add gravel to the vial.
o The next layer is called the subsoil. This is a mixture of rock, clay, and
sand. Students will add the soil mixture of gravel, powdered clay and
sand to the vial.
o The final layer of soil is called topsoil. The topsoil consists of decayed
remains of plants and animals. Students are to add a THIN layer of
potting soil.
Explain
 Journal: Have students record their soil profile with a labeled drawing.
 Have students compare their “soil profiles”
o Are they all the same?
o Do you think a soil profile outside the window will be the same as a soil
profile near the river? In a desert? At the farmer’s field?
 In small groups have students discuss possible soil profiles for
the different areas and share their ideas with the class. Use the
small group discussions to have a whole group discussion on
how the soil profiles would be different from place to place.



Desert—subsoil with more sand, very dry
Riverbank—subsoil with more organic matter, saturated
or wet most of the time
 Farmers field—subsoil with more organic matter, dark
Foldable: three-tab book
o Have the students choose one profile and illustrate and label each
layer.
Outside
Inside
Soil Profile
Illustration
Soil Profile
Label/description
Illustration
Label/description
Illustration
Label/description
Extend
 Journal: Write a cinquain poem (5 line poem) about Soil
o First line: 1 word
o Second line: 2 words
o Third line: 3 words
o Fourth line: 4 words
o Fifth line: 1 word
 Samples found below
Soil
Dark, rich
Sampling, layering, observing
Gritty, smooth, rocky, hard
Humus
Soil
Reddish, rocky
Can make sculptures
Rough, dusty, sticky, smooth
Clay
Evaluation


Label the soil layers in Attachment Y
Name the three layers of soil, their composition and explain how they can
be different from place to place.
Science Careers in Rocks and Soil
Lesson Summary Students will identify careers in earth science—geologists
and soil scientists. They will talk about the different jobs
these scientists perform.
Journal Entry
Evaluate: drawing of self as an earth scientist
Vocabulary
career
Materials
Attachments Z-AA
Scientific Ways of Knowing
#4 Identify various careers in science.
Engage
 What are some of the investigations we did throughout this unit? List on
board.
Field analysis, looked at the color and texture of different kinds of soil, and
analyzed how much air and water were in the different soils.
 These are different things a soil scientist does in his or her job.
 What does an earth scientist do? Brainstorm a list using the Brainstorming
Wheel, Attachment Z.
Explore
 What do you know about the work done by earth scientists? Brainstorm a list.
 Locate some articles on their work and create a poster showing what they
have learned.
Explain
 What is a soil scientist?
o Studies the upper few meters of the Earth’s crust.
o Looks at the physical properties of soil.
o Looks at the chemical properties of soil
o He or she seeks to understand how soils form and their basic qualities
or properties.
 Why is it important to study soils?
o The resource for food for all living things!
o Soils differ from place to place in part because they contain different
amounts of clay, silt and sand. This can affect which plants can grow,
how well they can grow, and what farmers may need to do differently
to get the best results
o Where we get the materials to make cement for buildings.




o Where we bury our garbage.
o California fires leading to mudslides.
What are skills needed by a soil scientist?
o Observation skills to analyze and determine characteristics of different
soils.
o Computer skills
o How to read satellite images of the areas
o Love science
o Like working outdoors
o Know how to communicate their knowledge about soils
Different careers
o Wetland specialist
o Watershed technician
o Environmental technician
o State soil and water quality specialist
o Soil conservationist
o Landfill managers
o Agricultural agent
o Landscaping business
o Farming
o Soil scientist
o Researcher
Geologists
o Scientists who study the Earth’s structure, composition, forces, history
and future.
o Geology can be a very interesting and rewarding career.
o Geologists work in a variety of settings which include: natural resource
companies, environmental consulting companies, government
agencies, non-profit organizations, and universities.
o Many geologists do field work at least part of the time.
Read “Scientists’ Letters to Students” Attachment AA.
Extend
 Send a question to Ask-A-Geologist@usgs.gov
 Contact the University of Toledo Geology Department
 Research Clarence King, Florence Bascom, and John Westley Powell,
famous geologists
 Research jobs of the different scientists listed in Explain.
Evaluate


In your journal, draw a picture of yourself as an earth scientist in the field.
Explain what you would be doing.
¾ book Foldable: Front—picture of self, open—picture of self as scientist, 3rd
flap—what you would be doing in the field.
Recommended Books
Book
Author
Soil Science
Delta Science
Reader
Pebbles,
FOSS Science
Sand, and Silt Stories
Publisher
Delta Education
Delta Education
Videos—WGTE 419.380.4634 www.wgte.org/catalog
T-685
Bill Nye the Science Guy: Rock/Soil
TK-1014 Rocks and Minerals Theme Kit K-3
1632.2
Take a Look I: Rocks
ISBN#
1-5242-3760
1-58356475-6
Cost