Introduction

© Michael Collier

Introduction

Credit: Eric Kurth, NOAA/NWS/WFO/Sacramento

Teaching and Learning Focus

In earlier investigations in this soil unit, students mostly focused on the inorganic parts of the soil profile. In this investigation, students will observe some of the living things in soil.

Materials Needed

For each group of four students:

Teaching and Learning Focus

You can help your students investigate some of the chemicals in soil that affect plant growth.

Materials Needed

For each group of four students:

Teaching and Learning Focus

You can help your students investigate the different ways in which water moves through soil particles.

Materials Needed

For each group of four students:

Teaching and Learning Focus

You can help your students investigate methods of separating soil.

Materials Needed

For each group of four students:

Teaching and Learning Focus

Introduction

Photo by Lynn Betts, courtesy of USDA NRCS

Teaching and Learning Focus

In the last two investigations students looked at weathering and how rocks break down into smaller pieces over time. In this investigation, students explore erosion, the process by which soil and sediment (the products of weathering) are moved from one location to another. Erosion is caused by gravity, wind, glaciers, and water in the form of ocean waves and currents, streams, and ground water.

Teaching and Learning Focus