Soil Conservation Chapter 2 Section 4 6 th Grade Team

Standards S6.6.a Sources of energy and materials differ in amounts, distribution, usefulness, and the time required for their formation. S6.6.a Sources of energy and materials differ in amounts, distribution, usefulness, and the time required for their formation. S6.6.b Students know different natural energy and material resource including air, soil, rocks, minerals, petroleum, fresh water, wildlife, and forests, and know how to classify them as renewable for nonrenewable. S6.6.b Students know different natural energy and material resource including air, soil, rocks, minerals, petroleum, fresh water, wildlife, and forests, and know how to classify them as renewable for nonrenewable.

Anticipatory Set Suppose you are traveling west in a covered wagon. You are passing through grasslands called prairies. They are an amazing sight to see. Grass taller than a person rippled and flowed in the wind like a sea of green. Suppose you are traveling west in a covered wagon. You are passing through grasslands called prairies. They are an amazing sight to see. Grass taller than a person rippled and flowed in the wind like a sea of green. The prairie soils of the US took many thousands of years to develop. The prairie soils of the US took many thousands of years to develop. Prairie soil was once rich with humus, because it was covered in tall grass. Prairie soil was once rich with humus, because it was covered in tall grass.

Soil as a Resource Sod- the thick mass of tough roots at the surface of the soil- kept the soil in place and held onto moisture NTG Sod- the thick mass of tough roots at the surface of the soil- kept the soil in place and held onto moisture NTG Natural resource- anything in the environment that humans use. NTG Natural resource- anything in the environment that humans use. NTG Soil is important to all living things on land Soil is important to all living things on land Soil is in limited supply because it takes a long time to form Soil is in limited supply because it takes a long time to form Fertile soil is in limited supply and takes a long time to form, it is considered a nonrenewable resource. NTG Fertile soil is in limited supply and takes a long time to form, it is considered a nonrenewable resource. NTG

Soil Damage and Loss The value of soil is reduced when soil loses its fertility and when topsoil is lost due to erosion NTG The value of soil is reduced when soil loses its fertility and when topsoil is lost due to erosion NTG It has occurred in the South in the 1800s. It has occurred in the South in the 1800s. The soil where cotton had been grown was exhausted. So many farmers left their farms. The soil where cotton had been grown was exhausted. So many farmers left their farms. In the 1900s George Washington Carver developed new crops and farming methods to restore fertility to the land. NTG In the 1900s George Washington Carver developed new crops and farming methods to restore fertility to the land. NTG They raised peanuts. A peanut plant has legumes (small lumps on their roots) and those lumps became an important nutrient for that plant. They raised peanuts. A peanut plant has legumes (small lumps on their roots) and those lumps became an important nutrient for that plant.

Loss of Top Soil Soil can be lost to erosion by water or wind. Soil can be lost to erosion by water or wind. It erodes faster when it is not covered by plants. It erodes faster when it is not covered by plants. Wind erosion is most likely in areas where farming methods are not suited to dry conditions. Wind erosion is most likely in areas where farming methods are not suited to dry conditions. In the 1800s farmers were settling in the Great Plains and the soil there was fertile. However, rainfall decreased and the region went into a drought. In the 1800s farmers were settling in the Great Plains and the soil there was fertile. However, rainfall decreased and the region went into a drought. Plowing removed the grass from the Great Plains and exposed the Soil. The topsoil quickly dried out and turned to dust and blew away. Which eventually would lead to the Dust Bowl in Plowing removed the grass from the Great Plains and exposed the Soil. The topsoil quickly dried out and turned to dust and blew away. Which eventually would lead to the Dust Bowl in 1930.

Dust Bowl By 1930, most of the land had become farms or ranches. The ground had been turned to dust because of the drought. Strong winds began to blow the dust east in great clouds. It reached Chicago and New York City. By 1930, most of the land had become farms or ranches. The ground had been turned to dust because of the drought. Strong winds began to blow the dust east in great clouds. It reached Chicago and New York City. This erosion was the most serious in the southern Plain states. This erosion was the most serious in the southern Plain states. Soon farmers began taking better care of their land and adopted new ways of farming. Soon farmers began taking better care of their land and adopted new ways of farming.

Soil Conservation Soil- conservation- the management of soil to prevent its destruction. NTG Soil- conservation- the management of soil to prevent its destruction. NTG Soil can be conserved through the following: Soil can be conserved through the following: 1.Contour plowing- farmers plow their fields along the curves of slopes. It helps to slow rainfall runoff and to prevent the soil from being washed away. 2.Conservation plowing- farmers disturb the soil and its plant cover as little as possible. Dead weeds are let in the group to help return nutrients to the ground 3.Crop rotation- a farmer plants different crops in a field each year.

Guided Practice Independent Practice Guided Practice Guided Practice NTG page # 1-5 NTG page # 1-5 Independent Practice Independent Practice NTG pages # NTG pages # 6- 15

Project Video Field Trip Video Field Trip Page 75 Page 75 Weathering and Soil Formation Weathering and Soil Formation