Title Description Grade Level Lesson Type Core Idea
CSI: Forensic Soil Analysis

Students will attempt to solve a “cold case” crime based on evidence from the suspects and the crime scene in the form of soil samples.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
Decomposer Tag

This activity focuses on the function of decomposers in food webs using a
modified game of tag that simulates the role of decomposers in converting dead plants/animals (organic matter) to nutrients for living plants/animals in an ecosystem.

This is a modified game of tag, where students play different functional groups in the ecosystem: decomposers, living plants and animals, and dead plants and animals (organic matter). Different rounds with slightly different roles and rules illustrate key concepts about decomposers.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
 Activity LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Desert Biomes

A site with many options to explore more details about deserts.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Desert Soils

What makes a desert soil according to ClORPT (Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent Material, Time)
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
Desertification and the American Dust Bowl

A guided discussion about desertification, including causes, effects, impacts on human health, and solutions, after watching the History Channel video “Black Blizzard” about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s in the United States.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
Different types of deserts - UC Berkeley

Deserts around the world have similarities, but there are also lots of differences
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Different Types of Tundra - UC Berkeley

There are different tundras and this site covers the different characteristics.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Dig Into Soil

How to look at (dig) soil to view soil layers (horizons).
  • 3-5
  • PreK-2
 Activity ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Dig It! The Scoop on Soil Poster

This SSSA poster provides an overview of soil - what it is (and isn't), why it's important, soil horizons, texture, soil triangle, formation, and processes. This unique poster is two-sided with side A being designed for the middle-school grades while side B is for the more advanced levels (typically high school).
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Poster ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
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.
  • PreK-2
 Activity, Slides/Photos/Figures PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
Dirtland

Informational website about the microbes that live in the soil, including those that live in extreme environments.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Reading LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Does Soil Breathe: A Respiration Activity

Though we cannot see respiration, we can observe the result. This simple activity can be used to demonstrate the relative amount of microorganism activity in the soil. Water and a food source are added to the soil, and a balloon is placed on the bottle to collect the carbon dioxide released as the organisms decompose the food source.
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Activity, Lab Experiment, Reading ESS2.E: Biogeology
Dr. Dirt Erosion

Web page with resources and information about different erosion processes.
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
  • PreK-2
 Reading ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
Drugs from Dirt

A site that collects soil for the purposes of DNA sequencing.
  • 9-12
 Reading ESS3.A: Natural resources
Dryland salinity in Western Australia

Reading describing causes and impacts of soil salinity
  • 6-8
  • 9-12
 Reading PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)

 

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