True GritTrue Gritin the in the

Third GradeThird Grade2008 MSP Science Workshop2008 MSP Science Workshop

On Soils ByOn Soils By

Bill WhiteBill White

Students in the third grade are active Students in the third grade are active and inquisitive. They are primarily and inquisitive. They are primarily

concrete learners, acquiring concrete learners, acquiring knowledge through hands on knowledge through hands on

experiences.experiences.

Standards Addressed in Standards Addressed in this Unitthis Unit

1.1. Focus Standards: S3E1 Students Focus Standards: S3E1 Students will investigate the physical will investigate the physical attributes of rocks and soils.attributes of rocks and soils.

2.2. Use observation to compare the Use observation to compare the similarities and differences of similarities and differences of texture, particle size, and color in texture, particle size, and color in topsoil (such as clay, loam potting topsoil (such as clay, loam potting soil, and sand).soil, and sand).

Supporting Standards:Supporting Standards:

o S3CS1S3CS1o S3CS2S3CS2o S3CS3S3CS3o S3CS4S3CS4o S3CS5S3CS5o S3CS6S3CS6o S3CS7S3CS7o S3CS8S3CS8

o ELA3RaELA3Rao ELA3RgELA3Rgo ELA3RhELA3Rho ELA3W1cELA3W1co ELA3W1dELA3W1do ELA3W1jELA3W1jo ELA3LSV1dELA3LSV1do M3M2bM3M2bo M3MD1M3MD1

Enduring UnderstandingsEnduring Understandings

Soil is composed of weathered rock, Soil is composed of weathered rock, air, water, and humus.air, water, and humus.

There are three basic types of soil, There are three basic types of soil, each with different characteristics.each with different characteristics.

Scientist classify soils by observation Scientist classify soils by observation and simple test.and simple test.

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

How do scientist classify soils?How do scientist classify soils? How is soil formed?How is soil formed?

Overview of Concepts Overview of Concepts In this unit, students discover that soil contains In this unit, students discover that soil contains

both both inorganic inorganic and and organic organic material. material. The organic component is humus, which is The organic component is humus, which is

composed of the decayed remains of plants composed of the decayed remains of plants and animals.and animals.

The inorganic component is composed of The inorganic component is composed of fragments of rocks and minerals of different fragments of rocks and minerals of different grain sizes. It includes gravel, sand, and clay.grain sizes. It includes gravel, sand, and clay.

Each of the components of soil has unique Each of the components of soil has unique properties, which can be indentified by properties, which can be indentified by observing soil samples closely and by observing soil samples closely and by performing simple test.performing simple test.

MisconceptionsMisconceptions

Rocks and soil are the same all over Georgia.Rocks and soil are the same all over Georgia.

The Proper Conceptions: Georgia has a wide The Proper Conceptions: Georgia has a wide variety of rocks and soil.variety of rocks and soil.

CONCEPTS: Scientific test can be used to determine the identity of rocks, minerals, and soils.

KNOW & DO: Describe the physical attributes of soils; Perform simple tests on soils; Classify soils based on student observations; Compare and contrast types of soils (clay, sand, loam); Apply skills to perform science investigations; Use a graduated cylinder; Analyze and communicate results of soil testing..

LANGUAGE: Organic, inorganic, minerals, gravel, texture, grain size, particle size, color, absorption, humus, loam, clay.

EVIDENCE of LEARNING: Chart; Notes on observations from tests on soil; Chart of soil classification; Comparison/contrast of soils in Science journal; Notes from scientific investigations/test on soils, using a graduated cylinder; Results of GRASPS task

Culminating ActivityCulminating Activity GRASPSGRASPS GOAL: You will use various test and observations to GOAL: You will use various test and observations to

asses a soil sample.asses a soil sample. ROLE: You are a soil county extension agentROLE: You are a soil county extension agent AUDIENCE: You will communicate your findings to a AUDIENCE: You will communicate your findings to a

farmer with soil samples.farmer with soil samples. SCENARIO: You must analyze the soil samples to SCENARIO: You must analyze the soil samples to

find out where crops would best grow on the find out where crops would best grow on the farmer’s land.farmer’s land.

PRODUCT: Create a soil analysis.PRODUCT: Create a soil analysis. STANDARD: Your analysis should use observation STANDARD: Your analysis should use observation

and simple test to identify soil characteristic and and simple test to identify soil characteristic and types. types.

General Safety General Safety GuidelinesGuidelines

Each student is responsible for Each student is responsible for practicing safe classroom procedures.practicing safe classroom procedures.

Every substance in science class Every substance in science class should be treated as a chemical, even should be treated as a chemical, even if it is a common food.if it is a common food.

Always wash hands before leaving Always wash hands before leaving science class.science class.

No disruptive or dangerous behavior No disruptive or dangerous behavior will be tolerated in the science room.will be tolerated in the science room.

• Preparation is the

key element of teaching and especially in

science.

•Be prepared!