Areas of Focus within The Soil Science and Ice Ages Unit:
Importance of Soil, Weathering, Types of Mechanical Weathering,
Types of Chemical Weathering, Surface Area and Weathering, Mass
Movement of Earthen Materials, Soil, Soil Color, Particle Size, Soil
Porosity and Permeability, Soil Horizons, Soil Conservation, The Dust
Bowl, Erosion, Deposition, Soil Conservation Measures, Glaciers,
Types of Glaciers, Ice Ages, Causes of Ice Ages, Paleoecology, Glacial
Landforms.
Full Unit at… http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Soil_and_Glaciers_Unit.html
• This PowerPoint is one small part of my Weathering, Soil
Science, Soil Conservation, Ice Ages, and Glaciers Unit.
• A Four Part 2,500+ Slide PowerPoint full of engaging
activities, critical class notes, review opportunities, question,
answers, follow along worksheets, games, and much more.
• 12 Page bundled homework that chronologically follows the
slideshow for nightly review. Modified version provided as
well as answer keys.
• 11 pages of unit notes with visuals for students and support
professionals
• 3 PowerPoint Review Games with Answer Keys
• Rubrics, videos, templates, materials list, First Day
PowerPoint, guide, and much more.
• http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Soil_and_Glaciers_Unit.html
• RED SLIDE: These are notes that are very
important and should be recorded in your
science journal.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
-Please make notes legible and use indentations
when appropriate.
-Example of indent.
-Skip a line between topics
-Don’t skip pages
-Make visuals clear and well drawn.
Ice Wedging
Mechanical
Weathering
• RED SLIDE: These are notes that are very
important and should be recorded in your
science journal.
• BLACK SLIDE: Pay attention, follow
directions, complete projects as described
and answer required questions neatly.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Keep an eye out for “The-Owl” and raise
your hand as soon as you see him.
– He will be hiding somewhere in the slideshow
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Keep an eye out for “The-Owl” and raise
your hand as soon as you see him.
– He will be hiding somewhere in the slideshow
“Hoot, Hoot”
“Good Luck!”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: Soil
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• What is the connection between
weathering and soil?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Weathering is the process that will,
overtime,
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Weathering is the process that will,
overtime, create soil.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Soil Science Available Sheet that follows
slideshow.
• Soil Science Available Sheet that follows
slideshow.
• Activity! Defining Soil.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Activity! Defining Soil.
– Please examine a sample of soil and
record what you find in your journal.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Activity! Defining Soil.
– Please examine a sample of soil and
record what you find in your journal.
– Please work in a tray and keep your table
clean.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Fungal Filaments in the soil (Electron
Microscope)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Head of a Nematode (roundworms)
Trillions are in the soil of your backyard.
• Microscopic Soil Mite
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• All sorts of important micro-organisms.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• All sorts of important micro-organisms.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• All sorts of important micro-organisms.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• All sorts of important micro-organisms.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Hummus:
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Hummus: A Middle Eastern and Arabic food
dip or spread made from cooked and mashed
chickpeas blended with tahini, and olive oil.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Humus:
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Humus:
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Humus: The organic component of soil,
formed by the decomposition of leaves and
other plant material by soil microorganisms.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Without these organisms and organic
matter plants would not grow.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Without these organisms and organic
matter plants would not grow.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Without these organisms and organic
matter plants would not grow.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Without these organisms and organic
matter plants would not grow.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Without these organisms and organic
matter plants would not grow.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Without these organisms and organic
matter plants would not grow.
Well written description of how important soil is…
http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/livinglandscapes/soils/important.asp
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Soil is
-
-
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

A mixture of weathered rock and decaying
organic material.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Plants, animals, fungus, bacteria…
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Plants, animals, fungus, bacteria…
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Dirt is…
-
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Mainly mineral based.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Pebbles and finely ground rock.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Dirt is generally dead, soil is living.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• What does healthy soil look like?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Color is very important to a soil scientist.
– Color helps to tell what the soil is made of and
therefore its health.
• Color is very important to a soil scientist.
– Color helps to tell what the soil is made of and
therefore its health.
• Hue: The specific color
• Value: the lightness or
darkness of color
• Chroma the light intensity
• Written: Hue Value / Chroma
• 4 YR 6/3
• Color is very important to a soil scientist.
– Color helps to tell what the soil is made of and
therefore its health.
• Hue: The specific color
• Value: the lightness or
darkness of color
• Chroma the light intensity
• Written: Hue Value / Chroma
• 4 YR 6/3
What is the best Hue Value /
Chroma of this soil sample?
• Color is very important to a soil scientist.
– Color helps to tell what the soil is made of and
therefore its health.
• Hue: The specific color
• Value: the lightness or
darkness of color
• Chroma the light intensity
• Written: Hue Value / Chroma
• 4 YR 6/3
What is the best Hue Value /
Chroma of this soil sample?
• Color is very important to a soil scientist.
– Color helps to tell what the soil is made of and
therefore its health.
• Hue: The specific color
• Value: the lightness or
darkness of color
• Chroma the light intensity
• Written: Hue Value / Chroma
• 4 YR 6/3
What is the best Hue Value /
Chroma of this soil sample?
• D?
• Color is very important to a soil scientist.
– Color helps to tell what the soil is made of and
therefore its health.
• Hue: The specific color
• Value: the lightness or
darkness of color
• Chroma the light intensity
• Written: Hue Value / Chroma
• 4 YR 6/3
What is the best Hue Value /
Chroma of this soil sample?
• Color is very important to a soil scientist.
– Color helps to tell what the soil is made of and
therefore its health.
• Hue: The specific color
• Value: the lightness or
darkness of color
• Chroma the light intensity
• Written: Hue Value / Chroma
• 4 YR 6/3
What is the best Hue Value /
Chroma of this soil sample?
Maybe D?

If soil is black
 Lots
of organic matter (carbon).
 May be poorly drained.
 Usually fertile.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is black
 Lots
of organic matter (carbon).
 May be poorly drained.
 Usually fertile.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is black
 Lots
of organic matter (carbon).
 May be poorly drained.
 Usually fertile.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is black
 Lots
of organic matter (carbon).
 May be poorly drained.
 Usually fertile.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is brown
 Lots
of sand and clay
 Well drained
 Good soil
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is brown
 Lots
of sand and clay
 Well drained
 Good soil
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is brown
 Lots
of sand and clay
 Well drained
 Good soil
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is brown
 Lots
of sand and clay
 Well drained
 Good soil
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

If soil is brown
 Lots
of sand and clay
 Well drained
 Good soil
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Very light browns, whites, orange, red,
yellow.
 Many
compounds present, Iron, Manganese,
Sulfur.
 High in salt.
 Not as healthy.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Very light browns, whites, orange, red,
yellow.
 Many
compounds present, Iron, Manganese,
Sulfur.
 High in salt.
 Not as healthy.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Very light browns, whites, orange, red,
yellow.
 Many
compounds present, Iron, Manganese,
Sulfur.
 High in salt.
 Not as healthy.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Very light browns, whites, orange, red,
yellow.
 Many
compounds present, Iron, Manganese,
Sulfur.
 High in salt.
 Not as healthy.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Very light browns, whites, orange, red,
yellow.
 Many
compounds present, Iron, Manganese,
Sulfur.
 High in salt.
 Not as healthy.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Iron turns rust color when it mixes with
oxygen (oxidation in Australia)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Activity! Identifying soil based on color
– Observe each sample.
– Create a smear on journal.
– Describe the color of the smear and make an
inference into the health of the soil.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Activity:
– Three students to stand in front of the boxes
below.
– One will move on, two will have to sit down.
Who will survive?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
better?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
better?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
Sample B
New
Student
Needed
Sample C
New
Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
New
Student
Needed
Sample B
Sample C
New
Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
New
Student
Needed
Sample B
Sample C
New
Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
Sample B
New
Student
Needed
Sample C
New
Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
New
Student
Needed
Sample B
Sample C
New
Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
New
Student
Needed
Sample B
Sample C
New
Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
This
square is
empty.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
It was
Actually
full 
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
Sample B
New
Student
Needed
Sample C
New
Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
New Student
Needed
Sample B
Sample C
New Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
New Student
Needed
Sample B
Sample C
New Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
the best?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The surviving student can choose to move
to a different box or stay in the same box.
Sample A
Sample B
New Student
Needed
Sample C
New Student
Needed
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
better?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
better?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
better?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
better?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which soil sample below will grow plants
better?
Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
Learn more about soil color and much more at…
http://soils.missouri.edu/tutorial/page7.asp
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: Particle Size
 The
type of soil depends upon the size of it’s
particles.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

New Area of Focus: Particle Size
 The
type of soil depends upon the size of its
particles.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Why learn about particle size? Seriously!
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• This large cobble would not be good to
make a smooth road.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• This gravel is to coarse to build an earthen
dam.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The type of particles determine the type
of sand paper.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Coarse gravel and cobble are a much better
material than clay for drainage.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which is a good particle size for a bunker at a
golf course? Gravel or Sand
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which is a good particle size for a bunker at a
golf course? Sand
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• The combinations of particle size can determine
how well plants will grow in soil.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Or increase traction on ice.
• Understanding particle size is very important
as we rely on earthen materials everyday.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Soil Science Available Sheet that follows
slideshow.
Full Page Needed
Boulder
25+ cm
Cobble 6-25 cm
Boulder
25+ cm
Cobble 6-25 cm
Boulder
25+ cm
Cobble 6-25 cm
Boulder
25+ cm
Cobble 6-25 cm
Boulder
25+ cm
Cobble 6-25 cm
Boulder
25+ cm
Silt
Silt
Clay
Silt
Clay
Dust
• Boulder – Largest (Greater than 25 cm)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Cobble (6-25 cm)
• Gravel (2cm-7.5cm)
• Which one has the larger particle size?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which one has the larger particle size?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Which one has the larger particle size?
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Spectrum of gravel
– Very Coarse Gravel larger than 1.25-2 inches
(32-64mm).
– Coarse Gravel 16-32 mm
– Medium Gravel 8-16mm
– Fine Gravel 4-8 mm
– Very Fine Gravel 2-4mm
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Coarse Sand (2mm)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Sand (2mm - .125mm)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Fine Sand
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Very Fine Sand
• Silt (.05 mm - .002mm)
• Clay (less than .002mm)
• Dust – (Into micrometers)
Areas of Focus within The Soil Science and Ice Ages Unit:
Importance of Soil, Weathering, Types of Mechanical Weathering,
Types of Chemical Weathering, Surface Area and Weathering, Mass
Movement of Earthen Materials, Soil, Soil Color, Particle Size, Soil
Porosity and Permeability, Soil Horizons, Soil Conservation, The Dust
Bowl, Erosion, Deposition, Soil Conservation Measures, Glaciers,
Types of Glaciers, Ice Ages, Causes of Ice Ages, Paleoecology, Glacial
Landforms.
Full Unit at… http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Soil_and_Glaciers_Unit.html
• This PowerPoint is one small part of my Weathering, Soil
Science, Soil Conservation, Ice Ages, and Glaciers Unit.
• A Four Part 2,500+ Slide PowerPoint full of engaging
activities, critical class notes, review opportunities, question,
answers, follow along worksheets, games, and much more.
• 12 Page bundled homework that chronologically follows the
slideshow for nightly review. Modified version provided as
well as answer keys.
• 11 pages of unit notes with visuals for students and support
professionals
• 3 PowerPoint Review Games with Answer Keys
• Rubrics, videos, templates, materials list, First Day
PowerPoint, guide, and much more.
• http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Soil_and_Glaciers_Unit.html
• Please visit the links below to learn more
about each of the units in this curriculum
– These units take me about four years to complete
with my students in grades 5-10.
Earth Science Units
Extended Tour Link and Curriculum Guide
Geology Topics Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Geology_Unit.html
Astronomy Topics Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Astronomy_Unit.html
Weather and Climate Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Weather_Climate_Unit.html
Soil Science, Weathering, More
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Soil_and_Glaciers_Unit.html
Water Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Water_Molecule_Unit.html
Rivers Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/River_and_Water_Quality_Unit.html
= Easier
5th – 7th grade
= More Difficult
6th – 8th grade
= Most Difficult
8th – 10th grade
Physical Science Units
Extended Tour Link and Curriculum Guide
Science Skills Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Science_Introduction_Lab_Safety_Metric_Methods.
html
Motion and Machines Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Newtons_Laws_Motion_Machines_Unit.html
Matter, Energy, Envs. Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Energy_Topics_Unit.html
Atoms and Periodic Table Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Atoms_Periodic_Table_of_Elements_Unit.html
Life Science Units
Extended Tour Link and Curriculum Guide
Human Body / Health Topics
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Human_Body_Systems_and_Health_Topics_Unit.html
DNA and Genetics Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/DNA_Genetics_Unit.html
Cell Biology Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Cellular_Biology_Unit.html
Infectious Diseases Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Infectious_Diseases_Unit.html
Taxonomy and Classification Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Taxonomy_Classification_Unit.html
Evolution / Natural Selection Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Evolution_Natural_Selection_Unit.html
Botany Topics Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Plant_Botany_Unit.html
Ecology Feeding Levels Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Ecology_Feeding_Levels_Unit.htm
Ecology Interactions Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Ecology_Interactions_Unit.html
Ecology Abiotic Factors Unit
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/Ecology_Abiotic_Factors_Unit.html
• The entire four year curriculum can be found at...
http://sciencepowerpoint.com/ Please feel free to
contact me with any questions you may have.
Thank you for your interest in this curriculum.
Sincerely,
Ryan Murphy M.Ed
www.sciencepowerpoint@gmail.com
Website Link: