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).

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Next Generation Science Standards
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Title
Grade
Type
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CSI: Forensic Soil Analysis

Students will attempt to solve a “cold case” crime based on evidence from the suspects and the crime scene in the form of soil samples.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
6-8
9-12
Activity
The Microbe Zoo and Dirtland

The "microbial zoo" helps students learn about the different functions and ecosystem services of soil microorganisms.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.E: Biogeology
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Desertification and the American Dust Bowl

A guided discussion about desertification, including causes, effects, impacts on human health, and solutions, after watching the History Channel video “Black Blizzard” about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s in the United States.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
6-8
9-12
Activity
Soils are Living, from Pedon to Pore

In this activity, students will dig up a sample of soil and examine it for life forms.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Farm to Table

In this activity, students use knowledge about the five food groups to plan and produce a group meal, and determine which ingredients were produced locally and which came from farther away.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Activity
The Soil Management Farming Game

This game investigates the ways in which the choices farmers make can influence both crop yields and greenhouse gas emissions.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
3-5
6-8
Activity
Make and Share Soil Crayons

In this activity, students make soil crayons to explore the various colors of soils.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
3-5
6-8
Activity
Making Soil

Making soil using food waste and composting techniques.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Relax with a Mud Mask

A simple recipe for homemade facial masks from clay.



Next Generation Science Standards

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

By dividing the soil environments into a model of an apartment building--with inhabitants on the basement, ground level, and upper levels--students learn what animals make homes in each soil habitat.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Activity
Paint with Soil!

Students collect soil samples in a variety of colors, and use to create paints.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
Activity
Root-Nematode-Weevil Game

A fun activity to understand how soil organisms communicate with each other and to know at least some reasons why they would want/need to communicate



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Go on a Soil Safari

Students play the Soil Safari game, traveling into the soil and "shrinking" down to see differently sized organisms. NOTE: need an account to access these pages



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
PreK-2
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
Soil Health Scavenger Hunt

Career exploration in soil science and relation to medicine and health



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
3-5
6-8
Activity
Soils are Everywhere

A critical thinking exercise using multiple entry points introducing soils



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Activity