Soil - What's the Dirt?--- TEACHER NOTES
OVERVIEW
What kind of soil would best support the development of a new farming community? In partners, students will gather facts about soil and design an original presentation using PowerPoint. Presentation should demonstrate a soil profile by creating a slide show to illustrate the order in which soil is formed and the properties of each soil layer.
PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE:
Ability to navigate the Internet and use a word processor.
Previous experience with PowerPoint or other presentation software tools would be helpful.
TEACHER PREP TIME: minimal
Review the websites in Resources. Review PowerPoint.
DELIVERABLES:
Students will createa multimedia presentation using PowerPoint to present findings and demonstrate applied understanding.
EVALUATION / GRADING:
Students will be evaluated using a PowerPoint Presentation Rubric.
Variations on a Theme
Running short on time?
Limit the number of slides students are to prepare.
What kind of soil would best support the development of a new farming community?
In partners, youwill gather facts about soil, collect your findings and design an original presentation using PowerPoint.
Your PowerPoint presentation shouldrepresent asoil profile illustrating theorder in which soil is formed and the properties of each soil layer.
A computer with Internet access andPowerPoint.
These websites will help you answer questions provided in Steps and to prepare your project.
This list is a starting place, feel free to search the Internet for other related information.
Websites
http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/soil/
Discovery
http://ltpwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/globe/
Soil Science Education
PowerPoint resources
http://www.actden.com/pp/
Act Den
http://www.ga.k12.pa.us/curtech/powerwk.htm#anchor374026
PowerPoint
Extra Activity
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/case2/c2brief.html
Record answers to the following questions while researching soil properties using the links in Resources.
1. What is the difference between soil and dirt?
2. What materials make-up soil?
3. What are the basic types of soil and how are they
alike and different?
4. How many layers make up the soil and how are they
alike and different?
5. Why are some soils more suited for growing and
building on than others?
6. Using the informationyou have collectedabout soil, draw three colorful pictures showing what kind of soil would best support the development of a new farming community.
Last Name, First Name of Author (if known). “Title of work/article/page.” Title of Complete Document (if applicable). Date last modified. URL (date visited).
With a partner, you willrecreatea soil profile replica youstudied in Steps using PowerPoint.
1. Reviewyour notes from Steps to help arrange your information.
2. Use separate slides to depict the various levels of soil.Label each level: ground level, topsoil, subsoil, weathered parent material and bedrock.
3. Include background information for each soil profile.
Present your data in an informative and interesting manner.
Plan how your PowerPoint presentation will look. For example choose the slide formats (background, layout etc.), transitions, and animations. Try to keep slides consistent.
Note: Remember to site the sources (bibliography) you used in gathering your information and include graphics to help make your presentation more visually appealing.
Soil profile: The horizontal layers (horizons) in the soil from the surface to the bedrock.
See Resources for information on soil and assistance with using PowerPoint
Criterion / Criterion / Criterion
1.
Research and Note taking / 1 / The content is vague.
/ 3 / The content is written with a logical progression of ideas and supporting information. / 5 / The content is written clearly and detailed.
2.Text Elements / 1 / Overall readability is difficult with lengthy paragraphs, too many different fonts, dark or busy background, overuse of bold or lack of appropriate indentations of text. / 3 / Sometimes the fonts are easy-to-read, but in a few places the use of fonts, italics, bold, long paragraphs, color or busy background detracts and does not enhance readability. / 5 / The fonts are easy-to-read and point size varies appropriately for headings and text.
Use of italics, bold, and indentations enhances readability.
3. Soil Profile
Slides / 1 / The soil profile slides are cluttered, confusing, and does notuse spacing, headings and subheadings to enhance the readability. / 3 / The soil profile slides show some structure, but appears cluttered and busy or distracting with large gaps of white space or uses a distracting background. / 5 / Thesoil profileslides are aesthetically pleasing and contributes to the overall message with appropriate use of headings and subheadings and white space.
4. Writing Mechanics / 1 / Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors distract or impair readability.
(3 or more errors) / 3 / The textis clearly written with little or no editing required for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. / 5 / The text is written with no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
5.
Graphics, Sound and/or Animation / Some of the graphics, sounds, and/or animations seem unrelated to the topic/theme and do not enhance the overall concepts. / The graphics, sound/and or animation assist the audience in understanding the flow of information or content. / The graphics, sound and/or animation assist in presenting an overall theme and make visual connections that enhance understanding of concept, ideas and relationships.
What kind of soil do you and your partnerrecommend to support the development of a new farming community.
Use the information you've recorded in your PowerPoint presentation to supportyour findings.
Your presentation should last no more thanfour minutes.
Analyze soil properties in your school yard and predict soil quality.
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