1. The teacher will show the Soil read-aloud to students, using class discussion to clarify unfamiliar terms. A class anchor chart of vocabulary can also be created.
2. Students and teachers will review safety rules and investigation instructions before getting into groups.
3. Students will pour the water into their plastic bottle.
4. Using the funnel, students will add the soil to the bottle.
5. Students will screw the cap on their bottle tightly.
6. Students will make and discuss their first observations, recording their thinking on the foldable in their journals.
7. Students will shake the bottle with the mixture vigorously for about 30 seconds.
8. Students will make and discuss their second observations, recording their thinking on the foldable in their journals.
9. Students may share their partially completed foldables, along with their observations, while waiting on the 15-minute mark and the 1-hour mark.
- During this wait time, teachers may want their students to participate in further small-group exploration. This can be done by having students review the Soil read-aloud at their tablets, then using their science journals to record and share 3 soil facts, 2 soil questions, and 1 fact or idea they would like to explore further.
- Students may also use the tubs of soil to complete sections of the Hand Texturing of Soil Activity. If used, the hand texturing activity will lead to extended knowledge of the 3 main types of soils(loamy, sandy, clay) and the physical properties of each type.
10. At the 15-minute mark and the 1-hour mark, students will make their third and fourth observations, again discussing and recording their thinking.
11. Completed foldables can be shared and evaluated. Discussion emphasis, and any resulting hypotheses, should be on the various observations made, and how those observations might relate to the different physical properties of varieties of soil.
