“Soil Health in Our Hands” Extension Activity

Soil Sampling

 

Overview

In this activity, students will be collecting soil from around their school and making observations! They will use their senses to compare and contrast their soil samples with the soil samples their classmates collected.

Materials

  • Small cups (Dixie cup size)

    Plate for soil observation

  • Student Handouts

  • Pencil/pen

  • Glue/glue stick/double sided tape

  • Microscope and petri dish (optional)

  • Magnifying glasses (optional)

Activity Duration:

  • 30-40 minutes

Essential Questions

  • Do you notice a big difference between the different soil samples? Why or why not?

  • Is your school’s soil healthy? How do you know? You made need to do some further research for this question!

  • How can you improve the health of your school’s soil?

 

Instructions

  1. Gather and set up materials, pick a date to take students outside for class,

  2. Go over nature walk expectations. Be sure to remind students they each need to pick their own location to gather their soil sample. The more variation the better!

  3. Take a walk around your school yard. Encourage students to notice the variety in plants around their school yard.

  4. Have students collect their samples with their hands or spoons. They may have to use some force if the ground is frozen! Each cup should be filled about halfway with soil.

  5. Return to the classroom once every student has gathered a sample.

  6. Have students grab their materials: a plate and an observation sheet.

  7. Go over the directions at the top of the observation activity page . If microscopes or magnifying glasses are available, have students look at their soil samples under microscopes or with magnifying glasses.

  8. Students will pour their sample onto a plate for easier observation.

  9. Once students have made observations for their soil sample, instruct students to make observations about two other soil samples.

  10. When students have completed their observation table, they can work on their review questions. This can be in partners, as a class, or individually.

  11. To wrap up, use the essential questions above to have a brief discussion!