Learning Outcomes

•  Students will be able to understand how soil is made and what it is made of.
• Students will have knowledge of the targeted vocabulary words.
• Students will be able to identify the different parts of soil through a hands-on investigation.
• Students will be able to name the Kansas State Soil.

Student Worksheets

• The Types of Soil worksheet can be used while the students are reading about the soil type inside the reader.
• The Soil Investigation Worksheet will be used for the activity on the back of the reader.
• Optional: A follow along worksheet that can also be used as an assessment.
• Seesaw Activity

Vocabulary Words

Introduce these words before you begin reading. Ask students if they have heard or recognize the words before. Then, read the definitions and talk about them as a class. Do more of the students recognize the words now? See if students can use the vocabulary words in sentences.

• Weathering: the process where rock is broken down into smaller pieces
• Decomposition: or rotting, is what happens to organic material when it breaks down
• Nutrients: a substance that is needed for healthy growth
• Drainage: removal of water from any given area
  Compact: to press together tightly
• Decomposed: to break down into smaller and simpler parts
• Fertilization: substances added to soil to put nutrients into it

Front Cover

Allow time for students to share their thoughts on the questions that were asked. Teachers can write down
their ideas on the board so it can be revisited after reading.

Inside

• When you come to a vocabulary word, take the time to stop and redefine the word.
• After reading the content, revisit what students brainstormed from the front cover question.
• Were any of their ideas mentioned in the reading?

Activities

While reading about the different types of soil, students can fill in a Types of Soil Worksheet to keep track of the information they are learning. Students will write soil descriptions and draw a picture of the soil.

Back Cover

Before this activity, make sure your class has watched Farmer Bill’s video provided by the QR Code, How Soil is Created.

• Before mixing the soil with water, using the Soil Investigation Worksheet, have students draw what the soil looks like in the clear jar. They will also write down their observations about the soil. What does it look like, what does it feel like, etc.
• After mixing the soil with water and letting it settle, have students draw what they see. Can they see the different layers? Students will also need to write down their observations. Are they able to identify the different types of soil, they wrote in their graphic organizer, with this experiment?
• Teacher resource: For more detailed information about the activity watch Farmer Bill’s video, The Soil Jar Test. We do not suggest showing this to your students but it will give you, as the teacher, more information about this activity. https://bit.ly/3XY3pBE