Soil Composition and Soil Erosion Unit for Distance Learning

This paperless bundle of lessons, worksheets and lab activities is perfect for a high school environmental science course or earth science overview. This unit will introduce your students to soil horizons and layers, soil texture, and soil composition. Activities for studying soil erosion and soil conservation through agriculture are also included.

Topics included in this lesson are: physical and chemical weathering, soil horizons (O, A, B, C), soil particles (silt, sand, clay), wind erosion, water erosion, soil conservation, soil texture, soil texture triangle, soil microbes, porosity, permeability, soil profiles for various biomes, erosion control techniques, crop rotation, no-till planting, contour farming, terrace farming, groundcover, windbreaks, effect of erosion on soil quality, water quality, and air quality

*These paperless items are designed to be used in a 1:1 classroom. If you would prefer a printable version of this lesson, click here.

➤What's included? *Note: Students can type on all pages in a Google Slides format.

• Detailed teacher lesson plan including essential questions, standards, pacing guide, optional supplementary activities and materials list
• Web-quest for content delivery with guided student notes
• Soil Analysis Lab- students use hands-on exploration and soil suspension to categorize soil samples using a soil texture chart (Example soil samples are provided for students to interpret if they are unable to complete this lab with real soil.)
• Independent Research Activity- students research, draw, and explain the soil profiles for various biomes
• Soil Erosion Activity- students explore the best type of erosion control barrier in this STEAM lab
• 3 Extension Pages for bell-ringers or homework- soil microbes, porosity v. permeability, agricultural practices for soil conservation
• Math Extension page- students interpret graphs and maps to analyze soil erosion rates across the country
• Quick Check- bell-ringer or warm-up to review soil erosion effects on the environment
• Editable Online quiz using Google Forms for easy grading

This resource is saved in a Google Drive folder, so you will need Google Drive in order to access it.

• With this purchase, TpT will automatically make a copy of the folder, create a TpT folder in your Drive, and add the folder to your Google Drive. In this process, TpT will ask for permission to do this. Here is a link for more information: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Help/buyer-questions/why-does-TpT-need-access-to-my-Google-drive-for-me-to-use-certain-digital-resources

▶️How can I use this in a virtual learning environment?

• The digital files can be dropped right into your Google Drive. From there, you can assign the student files to your class.
• Students can use links, videos, and other embedded items to learn new concepts and practice. Students type directly on the pages and can submit them electronically back to you or print them.

➤My Environmental Science Series includes lessons for each sphere of the earth:

1. Hydrosphere Bundle (in digital/paperless or print versions)

2. Biosphere Bundle (in digital/paperless or print versions)

3. Atmosphere Bundle (in digital/paperless or print versions)

4. Geosphere/Lithosphere (in digital/paperless or print versions)

This is a large bundle of lessons. To see details about each activity, please click on the "PREVIEW" button above.

➤What curriculum could I use with this lesson?

This lesson is ideally geared towards high school students, but some portions would work for middle school students, as well. A general level Environmental Science or Earth Science textbook would coincide with these topics. It also addresses the following topics in AP Environmental Science (APES):

• 4.2: Soil Formation and Erosion
• 4.3: Soil Composition and Properties
• 5.4: Impact of Agricultural Practices
• 5.15: Sustainable Agriculture

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