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Description
What could be more fun than going outside and playing in the mud! This activity investigates soil composition by having students collect soil samples, creating “soil shakes” in jars and describing the layers that settle. As the student scientists analyze and describe their soil profiles they will learn that the ground under their feet is much more than just “dirt” and develop a new understanding of soil types and properties.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This activity supports learning units focused on soil structure, composition and how soils support life. Students also expand their science vocabulary by learning specific terms like silt and clay. The hands-on investigation provides an authentic learning experience that strengthens connections to nature. As students explore how different soil samples have different profiles they could expand the science by preparing seed germination experiments in each soil type to learn about growing conditions for plants.
Soil conservation is vital to sustainability. A class could research methods for soil protection and prepare a community presentation that promotes actions such as reduced tillage, tree planting and eliminating pollutants like salt.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
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- Alberta
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- Grade 3
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- Science
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- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 4
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- Science
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- Investigating change and the diversity of Earth’s systems helps us to develop understandings of the conditions necessary to sustain life.
- British Columbia
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
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- Science: Humans interact with matter every day through familiar materials.
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- Science
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- Science 1: Matter is useful because of its properties.
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- Science
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- Science 2: Materials can be changed through physical and chemical processes
- Manitoba
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- Grade 1
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- Science
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- Characteristics of Objects and Materials
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- Science
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- Properties of solids. Liquids and Gases
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- Science
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- Soils in the Environment
- New Brunswick
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- Grade 2
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- Health Education
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- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
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- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
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- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
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- Science
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- Properties and Uses of Earth Materials: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Properties and Uses of Earth Materials: Scientific Literacy
- Newfoundland & Labrador
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
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- Exploring Our World: STSE and Knowledge
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- Liquids and Solids
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- Science
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- Exploring Soils
- Northwest Territories
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
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- Life Systems: Senses & the Body
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- Science
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- Matter and Materials: Characteristics of Objects and Properties of Materials
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- Science
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- Matter and Materials: Properties of Liquids and Solids
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- Science
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- Earth & Space Systems: Soils in the Environment
- Nova Scotia
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
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- Science Primary: Materials
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- Science
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- Science 1: Needs of Living Things
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- Science 2:Liquids, Solids and Mixtures
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- Science
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- Science 3: Soil
- Nunavut
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
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- Life Systems: Senses & the Body
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- Science
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- Matter and Materials: Characteristics of Objects and Properties of Materials
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- Science
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- Matter & Materials: Properties of Liquids & Solids
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- Science
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- Earth & Space Systems: Soils in the Environment
- Ontario
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- Kindergarten
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- Science & Technology
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- Problem Solving and Innovating: Overall Expectations
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- Structures and Mechanisms: Everyday Materials, Objects & Everyday Structures
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- Matter and Energy: Properties of Liquids & Solids
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- Earth and Space Systems: Soils in the Environment
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
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- Grade 1
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- Science & Technology
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- The material world
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- The material world
- Grade 3
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- Earth and Space
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
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- Kindergarten
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- Science
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- Science: Humans interact with matter every day through familiar materials.
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1: Matter is useful because of its properties.
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 2: Materials can be changed through physical and chemical processes
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (1)
- Appreciating the Natural World
