• This resource lets students interact with, investigate, brainstorm, and write about soil. 
• Students will observe, touch, feel, and smell the soil, perform a simple experiment, record their observations, and write what they know, need to know, and can do to help restore soil health in their area.

Positives

• The instructional student videos do a great job of explaining the tasks associated with this section.
• The journal is a great way for students to integrate art and writing skills into this science-based inquiry activity.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• This is the second step of the Soil Quest.
  
• Students will need access to some soil samples and jars with lids for the experiment.
• The activities can be done inside or outside during any time of the year.
• This resource includes links to additional resources (by clicking on the book icon), two student guide videos to explain the activities, and text for students to read.
  

Differentiation

• Elementary students could use this soil video to introduce the properties of soil and then use this resource as a stand-alone lesson.
• Younger students will likely enjoy getting their hands dirty in the soil, but students of all ages may appreciate the opportunity to go outside for this activity. Try integrating art, social-emotional learning, or physical activity into this lesson to engage all types of students.
  
• Social studies classes could relate this resource to lessons about green spaces, gardens, and human health.

The resource provides students with the opportunity to ask specific questions about the soil. Students also learn about the spatial distribution of soils, its pedagogy, how it interacts with the atmosphere, living, and nonliving things, and ways to protect soil health to sequester carbon. This is recommended for teaching.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.