Garden Lesson Plan: Soil
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Provided by: The Nature Conservancy|Published on: September 23, 2024
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students will learn about the importance of soil health, test their soil for various properties, and suggest ways to improve the soil.
- Students will perform a soil texture analysis, test the soil's fertility, and use their data to determine if their soil needs amendments.
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Nature Lab by The Nature Conservancy
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The hands-on activities will keep students engaged, and they will love being outside working in the garden.
- The resource also includes a few resources to help teachers and students build a school garden.
Prerequisites
- Before beginning, the resource suggests using the lesson, How Dirt Works, to introduce the importance of soil.
- In Step 1 of Part 1 of the Explore portion, answers to the questions are in parenthesis, not in red.
- All USDA links are broken. The link to the Soil Texture Calculator can be found HERE. The link for Soil Education can be found HERE.
- The link to the Soil Evaluation Handout does not work, but the handout is included in the pdf.
- The links for the US Composting Council’s Composting for Educators site and the USDA soil biology classroom activities are broken.
- Teachers can find the Global Gardens video HERE.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers can create a word wall from the words in the glossary or use these words in language arts classes for word work activities.
- After watching the How Dirt Works video, students can write poems using the metaphor of soil as the skin of the earth as inspiration.
- During the apple demonstration, teachers can support students in reviewing the fractions math concepts by writing the questions on the board and inviting students to evaluate the questions.
- After watching the soil stability test video, students can explore and research the impact of tilling and other industrial agricultural practices on soil health.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
