Lessons and Activities Search


We've curated a collection of lessons, hands-on activities, labs, readings, and more - all about soils and topics related to soils – in this searchable database. Some are posted directly by SSSA others we have reviewed and recommend. While they are not officially endorsed, we found them to have high quality materials for lessons and activities at different grade levels. And, you can save items of interest to a custom binder (you’ll need to create an account to access this feature).

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Next Generation Science Standards
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Title
Grade
Type
Binder
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GIS Activity Agricultural Patterns

GIS activity relating Soils to Agricultural Patterns



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
9-12
Activity
The Dust Bowl - Esri Geoinquiries

Students analyze the change in California’s population relative to the change in the Dust Bowl states’ population during the 1920s and 1930s.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Activity
A Medieval Soil Mystery

Students travel back in time to the year 1100 AD as serfs, and carry out soil investigations to propose solutions for the problem of poor wheat production on a feudal manor.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
Activity
The Deforestation of the Amazon: A Case Study in Understanding Ecosystems and Their Value

Students examine tropical deforestation in the Amazon from the perspective of three dominant stakeholders in the region. Subscription needed for answer key



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
9-12
Activity
Revolt of the Fungus People: Mycorrhizae in the Ecosystem

This interrupted case study for the flipped classroom examines the interaction of plants and their mycorrhizal partners. Subscription needed for answer key



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.C: Ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience
9-12
Activity
Exploring Seeds

A collection of lessons about seeds and plant growth for use with elementary students



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
PreK-2
3-5
Activity
Soils and Golf

This activity, created by FirstGreen, takes students out to the golf course to learn about the components of soil, soil nutrients, and soil pH.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
9-12
Activity
Color of Soil Worksheet

Simple student worksheet explaining the munsell color system.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
6-8
Activity
Can we feed a growing population?

In this module, students explore the resources that make up our agricultural system in order to answer the question: can we feed the growing population?



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Activity
Soil Charge Demonstration

Demonstration of ion movement in soils.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Physical Sciences
Core Idea: PS1.A: Structure of matter (includes PS1.C Nuclear Processes)
9-12
Activity
The Dirt About Desert Soils-Indiana Public Media

An audio track talking about deserts



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS2.A: Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
3-5
6-8
9-12
Activity
The Soil-Air Connection

What is the relationship between soil and the Earth’s atmosphere? Students will explore the connection between what happens below and above the ground. They will learn about the vital role soil plays in the carbon cycle.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems
9-12
Activity
The Plant-Soil Relationship

In this lesson students investigate the relationship between plants and soil.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Life Sciences
Core Idea: LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms
3-5
Activity
Crisis in the Horn of Africa- New York Times

An activity to understand how desertification affects people, causes famine, displacement, and conflict



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
9-12
Activity
Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century

Nourishing the Planet High School Materials Includes Teacher Background, activity masters, support materials.



Next Generation Science Standards

Discipline: Earth and Space Sciences
Core Idea: ESS3.A: Natural resources
6-8
9-12
Activity