Author:
Chandler Hambidge
Subject:
Agriculture
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Level:
High School
Tags:
  • NE Ag
  • Nebraska Department of Education
  • Soil
  • ne-ag
  • soil
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Downloadable docs

    Education Standards

    Determining Soil Texture

    Determining Soil Texture

    Overview

     

    In this lesson, students will define what soil texture is, examine the importance of soil texture for the purpose of growing crops or other recreational purposes, and then determine soil texture with a hands-on activity. 

    Determining Soil Texture

    Subject Area Plan

    Course:

    Plant Science

    Unit:

    Soil Science- Determining Soil Texture

    Subject Area:

    Soils

    Materials, Supplies, Equipment, References, and Other Resources:

    Different soil samples, spray bottle of water, Handouts and Guides

    Essential Question(s):   

    How do different soil textures affect the growth of crops or weeds? Why is it important to be able to determine soil texture?

    Objectives:

    1. Students will identify the major components of soil
    2. Students will examine how different proportions affect soil texture
    3. Students will describe the concept of soil texture and its importance
    4. Students will determine soil texture by using their hands

     

    Interest Approach/Set/Hook (Pre-flection)

    Estimated Time:

    1-2 min

    When looking at soil, is all soil the same, or do you think all soil is the same?

     

    Imagine you are beach walking along the shore. Take a minute to visualize and feel the environment around you. Now imagine you’re walking barefoot in your yard, again take a minute to think about how this environment feels.

     

    What did the environment at the beach feel like? Could you feel the sand between your toes? How was it different than your yard?

     

    Learning Activity 1

    Estimated Time:

    12 min

    Instructor Directions / Materials

    Brief Content Outline

    Materials:

    • slideshow presentation
    • guided notes pages for students
    • Vocabulary list
    • Soil texture Triangle/practice problems

     

    Lecture

    Students will complete the guided notes section over the importance of soil texture following along with the lecture material.

     

    Be sure to put emphasis on the vocabulary word and provide examples for the students has the lecture continues.

     

    When discussing the use of the Soil Texture Triangle, walk the students through how to read and follow the triangle. Work through 1-2 examples before grouping the students up and letting them practice by completing the soil texture triangle worksheet.

     

     

     

     

     

    Learning Activity 2

    Estimated Time:

    30 min

    Instructor Directions / Materials

    Brief Content Outline

    One per Station:

    • Soil sample
    • Water Bottle
    • Tray to help with cleanup

    One Per student

    • Soil Texture Guide
    • Pen/Pencil

     

    Instructions:

    When I say “Soil”...

    1. With your partner locate yourself at a station.
    2. Make sure your station has all the needed supplies.
    • Soil sample.
    • Water
    • Guide
    • Datasheet
    1. Review the steps in the guide before starting the lab.

    .

    1. Is there anything I can clarify?

    Soil!

    Hands-on Activity

    Students will practice determining soil texture through the use of their hands by practicing the ribboning technique.

     

    Hand out the soil texture guide for determining soil texture by hand to the students. Walkthrough how to follow the guide before the lab. The teacher will then demonstrate how to properly ribbon the soil for the students. Then letting the students practice their technique before beginning the actual lab.

     

    Students should be split into groups of 2-3 depending on class size and available soil sample stations. Students will have 5 minutes to complete each station and record their findings before the students move to the next station together.

     

    Once the Lab begins the students will be attempting to determine each sample's soil texture by following the Soil Texture guide.

     

    The teacher should be walking around the room checking to make sure students are being productive, reading the guide correctly, and answering any questions the students may be having.

     

    Once all the groups have had a chance to determine the texture of each station and record their data. Walkthrough the actual soil textures with the students and have them record the correct data in a column next to their own data.

     

    Students will now complete the reflection, examining both the data they recorded and the correct data. Examining why it is important to determine soil texture.

     

    Once students complete the reflection Students should clean up their workspace/station returning the soil samples into their correct container, washing the lab trays, cleaning their workspace of any left-over debris.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Summary (Reflection)- What did we learn and where are we going?

    Estimated Time:

    3-5 min

    Awesome job of determining soil texture, let’s take some time to reflect on this activity. Review back on your guided notes. In your notes, answer the following questions with at least 2 sentences:

    1. How noticeable was the difference between each soil sample? What did you notice about their differences? Where any similar to each other?
    2. If you were to grow a garden or any crop which of these soil types would you prefer? Why?
    3. Why might it be important to know the soil texture when wanting to grow crops?

     

    Evaluation Based on the Learning Outcome Expressed in the Objective(s)

    Evaluation via Review Quiz and students will be asked to reflect on the different soil textures and the importance of determining soil texture. Students will also find the soil texture of soil using the soil triangle on the Review quiz.