1. What is Soil Made of? Created by Amber Evans EDUC 373 Spring 2010
2. Standard Indicator 4.3.6 Recognize and describe that rock is composed of different combinations of minerals.
3. What is Soil? Soil is the material that makes up the outermost layer covering practically all of the earth’s land surface. Soil is made of air, water, humus (decayed organic material) and rock particles. Soil is formed by the slow process of weathering (the breaking down of rock), erosion (the moving and deposition of weathered rock material), and the combining of those rock particles with air, water, and organic material.
4. Homemade Soil Soil can be manufactured by people imitating the forces of nature. When people use composted organic materials in their gardens, they are helping to develop soil.
5. More Soil Facts Water is necessary to carry nutrients into the roots and up the stems of plants. Plants must have water to grow. Air is necessary to allow the roots to “breath.” Also, air spaces in the soil allow a place for water to enter the soil. Organic matter, which is made up of plant and animal parts, helps hold water in the soil. It also provides nutrients in the soil for plants. Rocks and minerals provide nutrients and support to the roots of plants.
6. The Recipe for Soil 25% air 25%water 45% rock particles 5% organic materials
8. Activity With the items in this box, you are going to make soil by imitating the natural processes that create it. Items Provided sand pebbles dead leaves and plant materials grass seed bag (to crush mixture in) water tweezers magnifying lens newspaper
9. Instructions Place all materials, except the natural soil, in the bag provided. Pound the mixture with a hammer until the rocks are crushed. Remove the materials from the bag and place them in a plastic cup. Place the natural soil provided in another plastic cup. Add water (just a little bit). Air will be added when you place the materials into the cup. Repeat these steps until the cup is ¾ full.
10. More Instructions Plant 10 seeds in each cup. Make sure to cover the seeds with the soil. Observe and compare the growth of each set of seeds. It will take a week or more for your seeds to start to grow. Record your observations on the chart provided. Measure the plants as they grow, and record how many of the seeds come up from each cup. Record your data and answer the questions on the Homemade Soil vs. Natural Soil Data Sheet.
11. Question Think about the activity you just did. On a separate piece of paper answer the following question. What is soil made of? Be sure to include the percentages of the different elements that make up soil.
12. Another Soil Activity Spread out a sheet of the newspaper provided on a flat surface. Sort through the soil particles of one cup of the natural soil using the tweezers and hand lens provided. Decide if the particles are plants, animals, or mineral and rocks. Place the particles in the correct category on the worksheet provided.
13. Things that Grow in Soil On the worksheet provided list things you know of that grow and feed from soil. Illustrate one or more of the things that you include in your list.
