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: More Than Dirt Under Your Feet - Article

We see soil, walk on soil, and grow things in soil every day, but the vast majority of people never recognize how important soil is in sustaining life on Earth. This article presents background information linked to teaching resources to introduce K-12 students to many of the critical functions of soils. These materials were shared with teachers during a Geophysical Information for Teachers (GIFT) workshop at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in 2018.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS1.C: The history of planet Earth
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading
Chemistry, Fertilizer, and the Environment

This five-lesson unit for grades 8-12 uses agriculture to introduce chemistry and environmental science concepts in a way that is relevant to students’ lives.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Activity
Webinar: Soil Biology, Chemistry, and Physics... Oh My!

Soil is so much more than what food is grown in, we walk on, or move out of the way to build houses or buildings on. It's complex, life-giving, and is critical for a balanced ecosystem. Our three presenters will provide a background on each (what it is, why it's important, and ideas for classroom activities). We'll wrap-up with additional resources and learn a bit about careers in these three areas. This webinar is presented by members of the Soil Science Society of America.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
9-12
Activity
Video
Slides/Photos/Figures
Webinars (Archived)
Dirt Made My Breakfast!

The student will learn that soil (not dirt) is needed to create many of the products that we use in everyday life, including our breakfast! The learner will be able to identify various every day products and if they grew in the soil or came from sand or clay.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
PreK-2
Activity
Slides/Photos/Figures
Agriculture with a Technology Twist

A variety of activities for multiple grades with hints on how to tie technology into the lessons.



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
Activity
Looking for Life

Exercise to examine the smaller life forms that can be found in the topsoil.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.E: Biogeology
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Rock Flip

Exercise to look at and catalogue the diversity of soil organisms that can be found under rocks.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
ESRI GeoInquiries Tropical Deforestation

GIS activity exploring the deforestation in the Amazon



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
6-8
9-12
Activity
GIS Activity Agricultural Patterns

GIS activity relating Soils to Agricultural Patterns



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
9-12
Activity
The Dust Bowl - Esri Geoinquiries

Students analyze the change in California’s population relative to the change in the Dust Bowl states’ population during the 1920s and 1930s.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Activity
A Medieval Soil Mystery

Students travel back in time to the year 1100 AD as serfs, and carry out soil investigations to propose solutions for the problem of poor wheat production on a feudal manor.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
Activity
The Deforestation of the Amazon: A Case Study in Understanding Ecosystems and Their Value

Students examine tropical deforestation in the Amazon from the perspective of three dominant stakeholders in the region. Subscription needed for answer key



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
9-12
Activity
Revolt of the Fungus People: Mycorrhizae in the Ecosystem

This interrupted case study for the flipped classroom examines the interaction of plants and their mycorrhizal partners. Subscription needed for answer key



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience
9-12
Activity
Exploring Seeds

A collection of lessons about seeds and plant growth for use with elementary students



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
PreK-2
3-5
Activity
Soils and Golf

This activity, created by FirstGreen, takes students out to the golf course to learn about the components of soil, soil nutrients, and soil pH.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
9-12
Activity