1. 3rd Grade Amazing Earth February
Soil
Presentation should take about 15 minutes to allow ample time for the experiments. 
Keep an eye on the clock as the kids love the hands-on activities.
Ask students to sit on the carpet so the activity can be set up at their desks.
You may have to limit questions or the number of students who can answer a question if time runs short.
Ask helpers to:
familiarize themselves with the activity and its goal
set up during the presentation
decide what station/role they are covering
rotate stations about every 10 minutes depending on how much time remains
Thank you for making Amazing Earth possible!
3rd Grade Amazing Earth
February

2. What is soil?
loose upper layer in the earth’s surface where plants grow.
a mix of organic material (decayed plants and animals) and broken bits of rocks and minerals that support plant life.
click here for video
The video provides an overview of soil and layers (3:43 length).
If the VIDEO does not automatically project, select the Function and F8 key TOGETHER and then select DUPLICATE.

3. How is soil formed?
Soil is formed over a long period of time. it can take 1000 years for an inch of soil to form.
Other factors that help soil form:
Living organisms – plants, fungi, animals, and bacteria
Climate – overall climate and weather
Parent Material – Minerals and rocks that are slowly disintegrating
Topography – slope of the surface of land where the soil is forming
ASK: How is soil formed?
CLICK for bullet points.

4. Layers of soil
Organic (humus) layer – thick layer of plant & animal decay such as leaves and worms.
Topsoil – thin layer (5-10 inches thick) composed of organic matter and minerals. Primarily where plants and organisms live.
Subsoil – layer made primarily of clay, iron, and organic matter.
Parent material – made mostly of large rocks. called the parent material because the upper layers developed from this layer.
Bedrock – made up of a large solid mass of rock. Several feet below the surface.

5. Why is soil important? Biodiversity Climate Food Water
ASK: Why is soil important? CLICK for answers after responses.
Biodiversity – Soil provides a habitat for both plants and animals (insects, earthworms, etc.)
Climate – Soil helps improve air quality by providing nutrients for plants to grow.
Food – Many of the foods we eat are grown in soil.
Water – Soil filters and purifies water. Stores water for plants to use.
Food
Water

6. Soil experiment Stations
Updated: 1/17/19
Microscope
Water Filtration
Soil pH Testing
break into three groups and rotate thru the stations