Jade Queen ELED 3221

INDIRECT INSTRUCTION (STRUCTURED DISCOVERY) LESSON PLAN FORMAT Soil Elementary Science _____________________________________________________________________________ Big Idea: Different Types of Soil Grade Level: 3rd grade Rationale: Students will know the different types of soil and the characteristics of each (sand, silt, and clay). Students will learn valuable observation skills from this lesson that they will be able to apply in the future. NC Essential Standard(s): 3.l.2.4- Explain how the basic properties (texture and capacity to hold water) and components (sand, clay and humus) of soil determine the ability of soil to support the growth and survival of many plants. National Science Education Content Standards Reference: K-4: Content Standard D: Soils have properties of color and texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many kinds of plants, including those in our food supply. Instructional Objective: Students will be able to identify the characteristics of clay, sand and silt. They will use information on the different soil types and organize it in a graphic organizer. Prerequisite knowledge and skills: Students should know how to use observation skills and they should know what soil is and have a basic understanding that there are different types of soil. Materials/Resources: Each group of students will need: one baggie with sugar, one baggie with flour, and one baggie with clay. They will also need a copy of the information on each type of soil as well as poster board and markers. Individually they will need a piece of paper/science journal and something to write with.

Source of your lesson: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/ecoinvestigators/EcoInv_LandLessonTwo.pdf http://agverra.com/blog/soil-types/

Estimated Time: 45 min Accommodation for Special Needs/different learning styles: Students with a handicap will work with the teacher or other students. Students with learning disabilities will be given more time and will work in groups. Students who are more advanced learners will also write about how water affects the types of soil in their journal. Safety considerations: Students will not bale allowed to open baggies. ______________________________________________________________________________ Content and Strategies (Procedure) Engage: Begin by watching Bill Nye video on soil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HQwYbwmyaY After watching video ask students several questions about soil such as: What is soil, why is it important, what is in soil, and what is soil used for? Have 2-3 students respond to each question After students are done responding share this information with them: Soil is made up of sand, silt, clay, and many other organisms. Soil is very important because it affects the growth of all plants. Today we are going to learn more about soil, you will have the opportunity to explore different types of soil and write down things you observe. Explore: Students should be in groups of 4-5 students and materials should be passed out to each group and ask them to take out their science journals. On your desks you have bags with different materials in them I would like for you to write down everything you can observe about those materials. Can you all tell me what senses we use when we observe? (eyes, ears, mouth, nose, hands) Ok, so what senses do you think you can use to observe what is in front of you? (Eyes, hands) (Students may say nose, but remind them that they cant open bags) Ok I would like you to go ahead and begin, write down everything you observe and you may work together with the others at you tables. (Allow around 5-10 minutes) Ok students, now that you have written down your observations what do you think is in the bags? What type of soil do these things represent, and why do you think that? Explain: Ok now that you have gathered your own information, I would like you to use some notes I have provided to compare what you saw and felt about the materials I gave you to the actual soil types. So in a new section on your paper write down the characteristics of each soil type. You will have three different types of soil clay, sand and silt. I want you to find at least 5 things to write about and then we will discuss as a class your findings. This is an individual activity so I should hear any talking. (Students who finish early can go back and underline their facts they found in the text provided) should only take students 5-10 minutes Ask students questions such as what is found in silt (clay and sand), what is different about how water affects the soils, and how is the temperature of each soil different.

Elaborate: Then the teacher will model what the students are to do next on the board. Okay class now I would like you to create a graphic organizer that looks like this (one main circle that says different types of soil and then three spokes coming off that say sand, silt, and clay with three lines underneath) you are now going to as a table write down different characteristics you found for each type of soil and then present it to the class. Allow students 10 minutes to complete. After students are finished have each group come up to the front of the class to present their poster. Each one will look similar. Evaluate: The students will be assessed on completion of their poster as a group. They must have at least three characteristics under each soil type. Closure: Before the students leave they will have to complete a ticket out the door and include one question they still have and two things they learned about soil.

1. Soil Type: Sandy

Sandy soil has the largest particles among the different soil types. Its dry and gritty to the touch, and because the particles have huge spaces between them, it cant hold on to water. Water drains rapidly, straight through to places where the roots, particularly those of seedlings, cannot reach. Plants dont have a chance of using the nutrients in sandy soil more efficiently as theyre swiftly carried away by the runoff. The upside to sandy soil is that its light to work with and warms much more quickly in the spring. Testing what type of soil youre working with involves moistening the soil and rolling it into a ball to check the predominating soil particle. When you roll the slightly wet sandy soil in your palms, no ball should be formed and it crumbles through your fingers easily.

2. Soil Type: Silt

Silty soil has much smaller particles than sandy soil so its smooth to the touch. When moistened, its soapy slick. When you roll it between your fingers, dirt is left on your skin. Silty soil retains water longer, but it cant hold on to as much nutrients as youd want it to though its fairly fertile. Due to its moisture-retentive quality, silty soil is cold and drains poorly. Silty soil can also easily compact, so avoid trampling on it when working your garden. It can become poorly aerated, too.

3. Soil Type: Clay

Clay soil has the smallest particles among the three so it has good water storage qualities. Its sticky to the touch when wet, but smooth when dry. Due to the tiny size of its particles and its tendency to settle together, little air passes through its spaces. Because its also slower to drain, it has a tighter hold on plant nutrients. Clay soil is thus rich in plant food for better growth. Clay soil is cold and in the spring, takes time to warm since the water within also has to warm up. The downside is that clay soil could be very heavy to work with when it gets dry. Especially during the summer months, it could turn hard and compact, making it difficult to turn. (When clay soil is worked while its too wet though, its prone to damage). If moistened soil feels sticky, rolls up easily, and forms into a ball or sausage-like shape, then youve got yourself clay.