Lessons and Activities Search


We've curated a collection of lessons, hands-on activities, labs, readings, and more - all about soils and topics related to soils – in this searchable database. Some are posted directly by SSSA others we have reviewed and recommend. While they are not officially endorsed, we found them to have high quality materials for lessons and activities at different grade levels. And, you can save items of interest to a custom binder (you’ll need to create an account to access this feature).

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Next Generation Science Standards
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Soil Career Brochure

Information about being a soil scientist



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading
California’s soil is getting too salty for crops to grow

News Article



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
6-8
9-12
Reading
Dr. Dirt Erosion

Web page with resources and information about different erosion processes.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading
Antibacterial Clays Could Fight Superbugs

An article about the discovery of certain clays with antibacterial properties that may eventually lead to new agents in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Reading
Soil pH: What it Means

This reading provides a quick overview of soil pH and why it is important to plant growth.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
9-12
Reading
Chemistry in Plant Nutrition and Growth

This reading provides a quick overview of soil nutrients and why it is important to plant growth. Includes discussion questions



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
9-12
Reading
Soil Formation and Classification

Information on the basis of soil classification, including the soil forming factors, levels of taxonomy from series to order, and word origins for order, suborder, and great group classifications.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Reading
The Color of Soil

reading material on soil color



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
9-12
Reading
State Soils

This website describes state soil series and how they are named. State soil fact sheets and monoliths are also listed for each state.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Reading
Soils 101

Middle school and high school level soil basics from the NRCS



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Reading
Soil Food Web

Information on the soil food web and the importance of soil organisms for soil health.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading
Soil Biology

The online Soil Biology Primer is an introduction to the living component of soil and how it contributes to agricultural productivity and air and water quality.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.E: Biogeology
9-12
Reading
Methanotrophs: The Natural Way to Tackle Greenhouse Effect

Article about the potential role soil microbes can play in capturing greenhouse gases.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.D: Global climate change
9-12
Reading
Soils Overview

This 4-page PDF overview provides the basics of soils appropriate all in one spot.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
6-8
9-12
Reading
How is Soil Connected to the Products We Use?

A short activity to show how soil is the basis for many of the natural resources used in the products we use in our everyday life.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading