Department of Education

4
National Capital Region
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE
MARIKINA CITY

Science
Quarter 4 – Module 1
Soil: Its Types and Characteristics

Wilfredo B. Osita Jr.

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind, to help you understand the
characteristics of different types of soil. The scope of this module permits it to be used in
many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. It contains one lesson entitled “Soil: Its Types and Characteristics”

After going through this module, you are expected to compare and contrast the
characteristics of different types of soil. S4ES-IVa-1

What I Know
Read each question carefully and encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which is made up of tiny pieces of rocks and contains bits of decayed plants and
animals?
A. Air B. Fire C. Soil D. Water

2. Which of the following is the best soil for gardening?

A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand D. Silt

3. Which of the following DOES NOT describe the characteristics of sand?

A. It has the largest particles.
B. It is light, rough, and dry.
C. It is made up of very fine rock particles.
D. It does not contain enough nutrients for plants.

4. Which of these is a reason of soil is an important to living things?

A. It helps plants grow.
B. It allows us to grow food.
C. It holds water and nutrients.
D. All of the above

5. Which statement about soil color is TRUE?

A. Soil vary in color based on their mineral content.
B. Soil has the same color whatever is its mineral content.
C. Soil consists of only a few minerals and are always darker.
D. Soil consists of many different minerals and are always darker.

6. When plants, animals, and other organisms die, they break down and become part of the
soil. What is this soil called?
A. Clay B. Humus C. Sand D. Silt

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7. When someone grabs a soil sample in his hands and rolls it into a ball. The soil feels
gritty and falls apart. Which of the following most likely made it feel gritty?
A. Clay B. Humus C. Sand D. Silt

8. Why is loam soil good for plants?

A. It cannot hold water well.
B. It has very fine particles of rocks.
C. It has humus which makes the soil fertile.
D. It does not contain enough nutrients to grow healthy plants.

9. A soil sample contains living and nonliving materials. Which material was once part of a
living thing?
A. water droplets C. sand particles
B. small pebbles D. decomposing leaves

10. In which soil can water flows through it very quickly?

A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand D. Silt

Lesson Types and Characteristics

of Soil
Soil covers the vast majority of the exposed portion of the earth in a thin layer.
It supplies air, water, nutrients, and mechanical support for the roots of growing plants.
The productivity of a given soil is largely dependent on its ability to supply a balance of
these factors to the plant community.

What’s In
A. Read and understand the following statements. Draw a happy face ( ) if the
statement is true and sad face ( ) if it is false.

_______ 1. Light can be reflected if it is directed towards a mirror.

_______ 2. Refraction is the bouncing back of light that strikes a clear surface.
_______ 3. When somebody faces the mirror, his reflection can be seen in a reversed
manner.
_______ 4. Light travels faster in vacuum or air than in glass and water.
_______ 5. The speed of light remains the same even if it travels from one material to
another.

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B. Identify the word that is being described. Write the letter of the correct answer on the
space provided before each number.

A. Sound B. Vibration C. Reflection D. Decibel E. Echo

___________ 1. It is a unit used to measure sound.

___________ 2. It is the bouncing back of sound.
___________ 3. It is a form of energy that we hear and feel.
___________ 4. It is a back and forth movement of an object.
___________ 5. Sound waves bounce off some surface.

What’s New
Activity: Word Search Puzzle

Let’s play a game! Can you find the

words about soil? Circle them.
Have fun!
B S D W H U M U S H

E I N E D C G C O S

D L U A E O R E R A
IN THE SOIL
R T T T C M A R G N

O C R H O P V O A D

C L I E M O E S N L
WORD BANK
K A E R P S L I I O
SAND SILT CLAY
E Y N I O T I O C A

LOAM GRAVEL HUMUS

X F T N S H D N Q M

COMPOST NUTRIENTS ORGANIC W I S G E N T S R A

DECOMPOSE BEDROCK

WEATHERING EROSION

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 What Is It

Soil is one of the most important

things on our planet. It covers most of the
land part of the earth. You find plants,
animals, houses, and other organisms on
the soil. We live on the soil and it helps us
in many ways. Different types of soil have
different physical characteristics. Each soil
type differs in color, texture, odor, and
its ability to hold water. Some soils are
good for planting while others are not. The
presence of the different kinds of vegetative
plants in a place is an evidence of a good
quality of soil in a certain area or locality.
Sometimes a combination of different types
of soil is observed in some areas of the
country.
Soil is a thin layer of loose materials
found on the surface of the earth. It is a
mixture of clay, bits of rocks, and humus.
Humus is formed from decayed animals
and plants. Soil covers most of the Earth’s
crust. In some places, it is hundreds of feet
deep thick. In others, it is only a few
inches deep. The formation of soil happens
over a very long period of time. It can take
1000 years or more. Soil is made from rock
particles mixed with decayed plants and
animal materials. There are many small
living plants and animals in the soil. It is
form very slowly with the help of the wind,
water, and changes in temperature.
Millions of years from now, the rocks
around you may also become soil.

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 Soil is made up of distinct horizontal layers. The uppermost layer is called the
topsoil. It is dark in color and crumbly. Humus is black and gives the topsoil its
color and odor. The topsoil is very important to life since it is where the plants grow.
It is rich in nutrients, oxygen, and water. Topsoil can be just a few centimeters or
more than a meter thick. Plants grow well on top soil.
Beneath the topsoil is the subsoil. This layer is light brown. Compared to
topsoil, the subsoil has more mineral and less organic particles. It is not fertile like
the topsoil. It is made of sand, silt and clay. It is also lighter in color.
The third layer is the parent material. It is grayish brown. It is mostly rock
that has been slightly weathered. Not many things live down here, except for the
biggest tree roots. The deepest layer that contains nothing but hard, solid rock is the
bedrock.

Layers of Soil

TYPES OF SOIL AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS

Soil is not the same everywhere. Different mixtures of rock particles and organic
particles result in different types of soil. Sand, clay, loam, silt, and gravel are some
examples of soil.

1. Sand
 There are more air spaces between the particles of sand so water can flow through
easily and dries up quickly.
 It is light, rough, and dry.
 It does not contain enough nutrients to grow strong and healthy plants.

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2. Clay
 It is made of very fine rock particles.
 The clay particles are packed together tightly. It is heavy and can hold much water.
When it dries, it cracks.
 When it’s dry, it feels smooth to touch, but it becomes very sticky when wet.
 Clay can be full of healthy nutrients, but does not allow enough water and air to
pass through to support most plants.
3. Loam
 It is a mixture of sand, clay, and silt.
 It contains humus, a kind of soil that is very rich with decayed matter, especially
dead plants and animals.
 It breaks up easily, allows for organic activity, and stays moist while allowing for
drainage and air circulation.
 Loam is fertile and considered the best soil for growing plants. In fact, gardeners
often mix loam with other soils like sand and clay.
4. Silt
 It is a combination of sandy soil and clay.
 It is powdery when it is dry.
 Unlike clay, silt does not become sticky when it’s wet.
5. Gravel
 It is composed of small rocks found along river banks or along other bodies of water.
 The particles of gravel are larger than the particles of sand.

Soil differs in color. There are yellow soils and red soils. There are brown soils and
black soils. Soils that are dark colored are fertile soil. The darker the soil is, the more
nutrient rich it is. The darker color often indicates an increase in decomposed organic
matter known as humus. Gray soils often indicate poor drainage, while red soils can
indicate very poor soils. These general rules about soil colors can, however, be misleading.
Under certain conditions, a very poor soil can appear as dark black, while a rich healthy
soil can appear red.

What’s More
Activity 1: Can You Identify Me?
Materials: different types of soil (sand, clay, loam)
magnifying lens
Procedure
1. Get a handful of each type of soil. Put each kind of soil on a sheet of paper.
2. Using a magnifying glass examine each soil sample.
3. Take note of the color, texture, and size of particles.

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Observation
1. Complete the table below based on your observations
SOIL Color Texture Size of Particles
sand
clay
loam
2. What are the common characteristics that you observed on your samples?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. How does each soil sample differ? In what way are they different?
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Which soil sample has the most living things?
_________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2: Fast or Slow

Materials 3 large cans that are of the same size
sand, clay, loam
3 clear drinking glasses
nail
hammer
a cup
Procedure
1. Punch nail holes at the center of the bottom of the three cans with the help of an
adult at home.
2. Using the same amount of soil, fill one can with clay, the second with sand, and the
third with loam.
3. Place the cans on the drinking glasses. Be sure the holes are over the mouths of the
glasses.
4. Slowly pour the same amount of water on the surface of the soil in each can
5. After an hour, measure the water in each glass.

Observation
1. Which soil held the least amount of water?
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Which soil held the most water?
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Which soil is good for plants?
_______________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned
A. Complete the concept map below.

has 4 layers
SOIL

has many types such as

B. Why is soil important to living things?

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 What I Can Do
Read each of the statements below and identify what type of soil is being described.
Choose your answer from the box provided. Write your answer on the blank before each
number.

Sand Clay Loam Silt Gravel

____________ 1. It is composed of small rocks found along river banks or along other bodies
of water.
____________ 2. It is powdery when it is dry.
____________ 3. It contains humus, a kind of soil that is very rich with decayed matter,
especially dead plants and animals.
____________ 4. It is made of very fine rock particles.
____________ 5. There are more air spaces between the particles of it so water flows through
it easily and dries up quickly.

Assessment
Read each question carefully and encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which soil retains the least amount of water, meaning water flows through it very
quickly?
A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand D. Silt

2. A soil sample contains living and nonliving materials. Which material was once living?
A. water droplets C. sand particles
B. small pebbles D. decomposing leaves

3. It is made up of tiny pieces of rock. It also contains bits of dead plants and animals that
have decayed. Millions of living things, such as bacteria and fungi, are also part of it.
A. Air B. Fire C. Soil D. Water

4. Which of the following would be the best soil for gardening?

A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand D. Silt

5. Which statement about soil color is TRUE?

A. Soils vary in color based on their mineral content.
B. Soils do not vary in color based on their mineral content.
C. Soils consisting of only a few minerals are always darker.
D. Soils consisting of many different minerals are always darker

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6. When plants, animals, and other organisms die, they breakdown and become part of the
soil. What is this part of the soil called?
A. Clay B. Humus C. Sand D. Silt

7. It is a type of soil used most often with plants and on farms. It is a mixture of clay, sand,
and silt.
A. Dirt B. Humus C. Loam D. Soil

8. Which of the following DOES NOT describe the characteristics of sand?

A. It has the largest particles.
B. It is light, rough, and dry.
C. It is made up of very fine rock particles.
D. It does not contain enough nutrients to grow strong, healthy and plants.

9. Which of these is a reason of soil is an important to living things?

A. It helps plants grow.
B. It allows us to grow food.
C. It holds water and nutrients.
D. All of the above

10. When someone grabs a soil sample in his hands and rolls it into a ball. The soil feels
gritty and the ball falls apart. What of the topsoil most likely made it feel gritty?
A. Clay B. Humus C. Sand D. Silt

Additional Activities

POSTER MAKING
Create a poster to convince people to conserve soil. You can take picture and post your
poster in your group chat.
What makes a good poster?
 A brief catchy message; one theme that can be read in 10 seconds or less.
 A slogan which tells viewers to do something and make them want to do it.
 Use of colors on a white background to get and hold the attention.
 Letters large enough to be legible and easily understood.
 Use of appropriate pictures or drawings that support the message.

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Performance Rubrics

Criteria 10 points 9 points 8 points

Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates creative
Creativity and creative thinking creative thinking thinking and the
Innovativeness and the performance and the performance lacks / has
has innovative and performance has no innovative and
unique some innovative unique
qualities/concept and unique qualities/concepts
qualities/concepts
Concepts presented Concepts presented Concepts presented are
are very substantive are moderately not substantive and the
Content and and well- organized, substantive ,well- conveyed are not well
organization and conveyed very organized, and organized and
clear message conveyed ambiguous
ambiguous
message

Abutay, Lelani R., et.al. Science 4 Teacher’s Guide First Edition, Lexicon Press, Inc.
Philippines. 2015
Abutay, Lelani R., et.al. Science 4 Learner’s Guide First Edition, Lexicon Press, Inc.
Philippines. 2015

Answer Key
3. A What’s New
2. C 5. E B S D W H U M U S H

E I N E D C G C O S
1. D 4. B
B.
D L U A E O R E R A

5. R T T T C M A R G N

4. O C R H O P V O A D

C L I E M O E S N L
3.
K A E R P S L I I O
2.
E Y N I O T I O C A
1. X F T N S H D N Q M
A.
What’s In W I S G E N T S R A

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What’s More
Activity 1: Can You Identify Me?
1.
SOIL Color Texture Size of Particles
sand Possible colors(white, black, pink, red- gritty, loose large and
orange, white grey, and light brown coarse sized
clay white or light colored sticky, finest small sized
loam black smooth, fine medium sized
2. gritty, loose, sticky, finest particles, smooth and fine particles
3. In their physical characteristics. Soils differ in color, texture, size particles, and their
water
holding capacity.
4. Loam
Activity 2: Fast or Slow
1. Sand 2. Clay 3. Loam

A.
What I Have Learned

What I Can Do
1. Gravel

2. Silt

3. Loam

4. Clay

5. Sand

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 Development Team of the Module

Writer: Wilfredo B. Osita Jr.

Content Editors: Frenchy F. Hernandez

Norma C. Velasquez
Veronica A. Cena
Jessica S. Mateo
Language Editor: Ann Patricia Margaret M. Paz

Illustrator: Wilfredo B. Osita Jr.,

Michele P. Dioquino
Layout Artist: Jemwel dela Paz
Management Team:
Sheryll T. Gayola
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
OIC, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

Elisa O. Cerveza
Chief, CID
OIC, Office of the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Jessica S. Mateo
EPS-Science

Ivy Coney A. Gamatero

EPS – LRMS

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Schools Division Office- Marikina City

Email Address: sdo.marikina@deped.gov.ph

191 Shoe Ave., Sta. Elena, Marikina City, 1800, Philippines

Telefax: (02) 682-2472 / 682-3989

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