NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5 The Surface of the Earth: Soil

Rocks break up in many ways to form sand grains NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 Rocks get cracks in the surface  Water makes cracks bigger  Pieces of rock break off NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 A little bit of water is found in soil  Roots of plants make the water acidic  Acid water breaks the surface of the stone  Rain water can also wear down the surface of stones NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 When water moves them  When the wind blows them against other bigger stones  When people and animals walk on a path and kick stones  Small stones become sand NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

Plants need soil because:  The soil anchors the plant  The plant gets water from soil  The plant gets minerals from soil  Plants reproduce and the seeds need soil Can you remember what else plants need to grow? Let’s watch the video NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

Animals need soil because:  The soil is their habitat  Animals need plants to survive NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 Earth’s crust has different layers  The layers are arranged in a specific order 1. Topsoil 2. Subsoil 3. Rock NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 Top layer of soil  Where plants grow  Animals live here  Dark in colour  Takes a very long time to form  Made up of:  small sand grains (broken down rocks)  plant and animal matter  air  Water NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 Layer beneath the topsoil  Lighter in colour than top soil  Roots of trees anchor themselves  Made up of:  bigger rock pieces  small parts from top soil NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 Bottom layer of land  Big pieces of solid material  Very deep down, the rock pieces become bigger too Rock

 Many animals live in soil  Earthworms’ movements help to loosen soil particles  More air available  Animals that live here are a source of food for other animals NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5

 Inc, Microsoft Office clip art  (image)  boral.com.au (image)  (image)  savvyhomeblog.com (image)  (image)  (image)  (image)       CAPS Natural Sciences and Technology Grade 5  Barnard T, Bevan W, Collett H, McKay R, Turley C Oxford Successful Natural Science Grade 5 Leaner’s Book. Cape Town: Oxford University Press NATURAL SCIENCES GRADE 5