Ontario Grade 3 Science - Soil

1. Things that
Help the Soil

2. Trees and other plants
Roots can
“anchor,” or hold
onto, the soil so it
doesn’t get
washed away in
heavy rainfall or
winds.

3. Trees and other
plants can also
act like shields.
Farmers keep
“windbreaks,”
also called
“shelterbelt
trees,” to help
keep the soil from
blowing away in
the wind.

4. Crop Rotation
Farmers plant
different crops in
different sections
of their land, then
switch them every
year. One section
can rest for a
year (lie fallow).

5. Fertilizing Adding organic matter such as
compost or manure gives
nutrients to the soil.

6. Fertilizing
Chemicals can
also be used to
add nutrients to
the soil, but this
can be harmful
to the
environment.

7. Irrigation
Farmers can
water their
soil by digging
ditches from
rivers, or they can
pump water.

8. Making Decisions to Protect Soil
● Governments
can make laws
and take actions
to protect the soil.

9. Making Decisions to Protect Soil
● Farmers
can raise
crops and
animals in
ways that
protect the
soil.

10. Protecting the Soil
Businesses &
Factories can
do their work in
ways that don’t
harm soil.

11. Making Decisions to Protect Soil
Families can
make good
decisions
when they
buy, use, and
dispose of
products.

12. Protecting the Soil - Shopping
● buy organically
grown foods,
environmentally
friendly cleaners,
reusable
containers, etc.

13. Protecting the Soil - Waste Disposal
● organics
recycling
with the
green bin

14. Protecting the Soil - Waste Disposal
● keep batteries and electronics (e-waste)
out of the trash

15. Protecting the Soil - Waste Disposal
● don’t trash
hazardous
household
waste

16. Now Spread the Word!
● Tell others
that soil is
important and
that we should
all protect it.