Soil For Growing
Teacher Name(s): Kim Collazo
Date: Spring 2007
Grade level(s): 3
Content Areas: Science, Technology, Math
Description/Abstract: Students will learn about loam, and begin an experiment to find out which type of soil will best support the growth of grass seed.
Timeline: 45 minutes for initial lesson; 10-15 minutes during subsequent lessons to record data.
Goals/Content and Cognitive:
Students will review the concept of organic and inorganic material as they learn about loam. Students will conduct hands-on experiments to find out which of four soils best supports the growth of grass seed.
Links to Curriculum Standards:
Grade 3 Science 2.02 - Investigate and observe that different soils absorb water at different rates.
Grade 3 Science 2.03 - Determine the ability of soil to support the growth of many plants, including those important to our food supply. Grade 3
Grade 3 Mathematics 2.02 – Estimate and measure using appropriate units.
Grade 3 Computer Technology Skills 2.09 - Identify, discuss, and use multimedia tools.
Guiding Questions:
Big Question: In which of the four soils (loam, clay, sand, humus) will crops grow best?
Assessment:
Student understanding will be informally assessed as they participate in class discussion and lab activities. The "Prediction Thought Question" can be used to assess student understanding and how well he/she can support his/her lab prediction.
Learning Connections:
Students will use their understanding of sand, clay, and humus, as well as new knowledge about loam to make predictions prior to their experimentation.
Learning Activities or Tasks:
*Prior to the beginning of this lesson, the teacher should set up several stations around the classroom which include the 4 soils, labeled cups, spoons, ounce measurement cups, grass seed, stones, and water the students will need for this experiment (all are contained in the Delta Soil Science Kit).
1. The teacher will review the concept of organic and inorganic materials using the interactive whiteboard activity "Organic/Inorganic Review". Students can take turns moving objects from the soil pile into the correct category. Discussion should be encouraged during this activity.
2. The teacher will use the Guiding PowerPoint "Farmer Green Letter 2" to introduce the kids to the soil mixture called "loam".
3. The third slide refers to the video, "Experiments With Soil" which provide information about loam.
4. Following the video and discussion, the “Grass Growing Lab Sheet” should be given to each student.
5. Students should be provided an overview of the experiment which they will be starting.
6. They should at this time make a prediction about which soil they believe will promote growth the best, and mark this on their Lab Sheet.
7. The teacher should then break the class into small groups of four. At this time pass out the Soil Group Cards (which have been cut apart). Each group will have one student responsible for preparing one of the soil cups.
8. The teacher should also pass out the "Grass Seed and Soil Experiment Student Directions" to each child. The directions should be modeled initially by the teacher so that students will understand how to measure using the ounce cups which accompany the Soil Science Kit.
9. Students should then be guided to follow the directions as they prepare the cup for which they are responsible.
10. All cups should be housed on one of the white trays which accompanies the kit.
11. Students should now use pencils and crayons to complete their first drawings and data on their Lab Sheet. When finished, Lab Sheets can be kept in each student's Soil Scientist folder.
12. The "Prediction Thought Question" can be used as a wrap up for the lesson or as a homework assignment.
13. All trays should be placed in a sunny place in the classroom, and data and drawings completed for the next few days.
Teaching Strategies:
The teacher will use various multimedia tools to clarify and introduce science concepts. The teacher will model effective scientific processes when engaging in a lab experiment, and guide students as they complete their independent work.
Management:
This lesson will be carried out in the classroom. The teacher should be sure to employ strategies which will allow students to gather at the various lab stations around the room without crowding and unnecessary accidents. Modeling acceptable science lab procedures is important.
Materials and Resources:
1. Organic/Inorganic Review SMART notebook file (computer, projector, interactive whiteboard)
2. Guiding PowerPoint for Lesson 6
3. Soil Group Cards (printed and cut apart)
4. Experiment Student Directions (1 for each child)
5. Soil Grass Lab Sheet (1 for each child)
6. Thought Question (1 per child)
7. From the Delta Soil Science Kit:
· clear cups labeled with group # and soil type (4 per group)
· white trays (1 per group)
· containers of clay, sand, humus, and loam
· gravel
· spoons
· ounce cups (1 per child)
· containers of water