What on Earth is in the Earth?

Students will explore, sort and classify the living and non-living substances contained within soil. This link provides a 1 hour lesson that will allow students to explore, sort and classify the living and non-living substances contained within soil. It also provides a printable sorting sheet that the students will use to record their observations. The lesson is broken down into easy to-do steps that will help guide the students in their learning. It also has provides ideas for ways to support all learners, lesson extentions, ways to assess students, and home connections. This lesson is provided through the Scholastic website.  It provides lesson teacher resources, student activities, books & authors, and Scholastic products.

Weblink address (URL): 
What on Earth is in the Earth?

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will:

  • Discuss the physical properties of soil, sand, and rocks.
  • Discover some of the materials found in the earth.
  • Sort, classify, compare and contrast the materials found in soil.
  • Understand that some things on Earth are living and some are not.
  • Record data.
  • Discuss how humans care for the Earth by not littering.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Differentiation suggestions: 

Supporting All Learners:

Pair students heterogeneously. Encourage them to label their pictures with words or beginning letters of words. Take dictation for students not yet able to write.

Extension suggestions: 

Lesson Extensions:

Make a display of the items found in the soil by having the students glue objects onto a cardboard mount. Create a “What on Earth is in the Earth?” museum for other classes to come and see. Have students stand by their findings and explain what they discovered.

Home Connection:

Ask students to look at soil near their home. Be sure to have parents assist and give permission to dig.

Helpful Hints

Several items will need to be gathered ahead of time, so pre-planning is a must!

  • 1 open container of sand
  • 1 open container of small rocks, including minerals
  • 1 open container of soil
  • Soil mixed with small rocks, leaves, twigs, living or dead insects, small bone pieces (you might want to use chicken bones), a seed, a flower, a piece of plastic trash, and a piece of metal trash
  • Magnifying glasses
  • Spoons
  • Sifters
  • What on Earth Is in the Earth? Sorting Sheet (PDF)
  • Old newspapers

 

References

Contributors: 
Christin Casebolt
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation