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Life in Soil Science Lesson

Grades K-2

≅ 60 minutes

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www.subjecttoclimate.org

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Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

  • K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Primary Standards

Supporting Standards

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Essential Questions

  • Why is soil important to living things and humans?

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  • What can humans do to protect soil as an important ecosystem on Earth?

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Learning Outcomes

I can…

  • define soil as an ecosystem.
  • collaborate with my peers.
  • create a model that demonstrates soil as an ecosystem.
  • share the importance of soil to all living things and the carbon cycle.

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Agenda

Inquire

Investigate

Inspire

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Inquire

≅ 10 minutes

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Click on the picture to view the video.

What do you wonder about what you saw?

How did it make you feel to see soil and leaves with and without animals?

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Investigate

≅ 25 minutes

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What is soil?

Record student responses here…

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Student materials: soil sample, paper, and a magnifying glass.

Dig into your soil sample. Think, notice, and wonder about the soil.

Describe what you find in the soil.

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Share the story read aloud for more information about soil!

Which creatures live in soil?

Does soil help humans? How?

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Do you think healthy soil is good for the planet?

What can you do to be an Earth Warrior?

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What are the secrets of soil?

Let’s do our part and share the secrets of soil!

Soil is a place for us to grow our food.

Soil provides a home for many living things.

Soil helps the whole planet by soaking up gases that come from pollution.

Soil takes care of the Earth, which means it takes care of all of us!

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Inspire

≅ 25 minutes

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Reflection

Who is soil important to?

Why is soil important to humans and other living things?

What can YOU do to help protect our soil for all living things?

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Record your soil findings using the worksheet given to you.

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Student Project

  • Create a model of the soil sample you investigated!
  • Remember to include:
    • Organisms found in the soil
    • Organic matter found in the soil

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Share your journey with us!

@subjecttoclimate

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Creators & Collaborators

Please leave this slide for attribution.

Authors

Scientist Reviewer

Image Resources

Elaine Makarevich

Archibong Akpan, PhD

Template Slides:

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Images from:

FlatIcon, FreePik