Lessons and Activities Search


We've curated a collection of lessons, hands-on activities, labs, readings, and more - all about soils and topics related to soils – in this searchable database. Some are posted directly by SSSA others we have reviewed and recommend. While they are not officially endorsed, we found them to have high quality materials for lessons and activities at different grade levels. And, you can save items of interest to a custom binder (you’ll need to create an account to access this feature).

Have you designed an awesome lesson/activity?

Submit it to be reviewed and vetted by our scientists. Then we'll include it in our database so you can share your ideas with teachers around the word. Submit your lesson plan here.

Note: Please use commas between keywords and/or phrases.
Grade Level

Lesson Topic

Resource Type

Next Generation Science Standards
Note: Leaving all filters unchecked will search all (per category)
 
 
For checked items

Please log in to use your binders.

Log In to your account

Already a member, certified, or existing customer?*

* Cookies must be accepted to log in.

Not sure if you have an account?
Check Your Email

Join Us!
Connect with members and access the information you need.
Learn more.

Ready to Join?
If you have an account, login on the left. Not sure if you have an account or need to create one? Check your email with the link above. We look forward to welcoming you.

 
 Check all items

You may save results below to your personal Binder* (Login required). Check the box next to a result and click "Add to Binder".

* A "Binder" is a central location for all resources you wish to save.

Title
Grade
Type
Binder
Select
 
Soil Microbes

Research highlights connecting soil biology and land management.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
9-12
Reading
How Soil Evidence Helped Solve a Double Murder Case

A (non-gory) account of how CSIRO soil scientist helped solve a murder case based on soil found on evidence.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Reading
Rain or Shine: An Introduction to Soil Physical Properties and Processes

Online textbook suitable for teacher background information or for high school students



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Reading
Plant and Soil Sciences e-library, Soil Genesis and Development, Lesson 3 - Soil Forming Factors

This lesson identifies the five major soil forming factors and discusses how they influence soil development.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Reading
6.4 Soil Orders and 6.5 Major Biomes

Illustrates the factors influencing soil formation and relates these factors to the climate and living plants and animals that are found in the various biomes.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Reading
Soil Formation Processes

Multimedia website demonstrating that each soil forms as a unique expression of five soil-forming factors (climate, vegetation, topography, parent material, and time) that work through soil processes.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Reading
The Soil Orders Simplified

describes the most general 12 orders of soil classification



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Reading
Why do Farmers use Fertilizer?”

Blog post explaining benefits of fertilizer



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience
6-8
9-12
Reading
Different Types of Tundra - UC Berkeley

There are different tundras and this site covers the different characteristics.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
6-8
9-12
Reading
Different types of deserts - UC Berkeley

Deserts around the world have similarities, but there are also lots of differences



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading
Dryland salinity in Western Australia

Reading describing causes and impacts of soil salinity



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
6-8
9-12
Reading
Soil Career Brochure

Information about being a soil scientist



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading
California’s soil is getting too salty for crops to grow

News Article



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
6-8
9-12
Reading
Dr. Dirt Erosion

Web page with resources and information about different erosion processes.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Reading
Antibacterial Clays Could Fight Superbugs

An article about the discovery of certain clays with antibacterial properties that may eventually lead to new agents in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Reading