Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila

SCIENCE 4

Why Soil Matters?

Quarter 4 Week 1 SLeM 22

Most Essential Learning Competency: Compare and

contrast the characteristics of different types of soil

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SLeM 22: Compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of
Soil

HOW TO USE THIS SLeM

Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb you while
enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives
of this kit. Have fun!
1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this
SLeM.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Writing enhances learning,
that is important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key card.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE SLeM

• Expectations - These are what you will be able to know after completing the lessons
in the SLeM.
• Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be mastered
throughout the lesson.
• Looking Back to your Lesson - This section will measure what learnings and skills
did you understand from the previous lesson.
• Brief Introduction- This section will give you an overview of the lesson.
• Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform with a partner.
• Remember - This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the lessons.
• Check your Understanding - It will verify how you learned from the lesson.
• Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire SLeM.

EXPECTATIONS
This is a new beginning in learning more about things around you. You may have
learned in your past years the various things present near you. This time, you will learn to
compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of soil, S4ES-IVA-1.
This SLeM has one lesson:
Lesson 1 – Soil: Its Types and Characteristics and Factors Affecting the Growth of
Selected Plant
After going through this SLeM, you are expected to:
A. Compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of soil. S4ES-IVA-1
1. discuss how soil is formed;
2. identify the different types of soil based on their physical characteristics;
3. investigate the characteristics of the different types of soil as to their ability to grow
plants;
4. compare and contrast the characteristics of the different types of soil;
5. classify soils in their community using simple criteria such as particle size, texture,
color and water absorbability; and
6. develop K to 12 life skills such as communication, critical thinking, creativity,
collaboration and character.

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PRE-TEST
Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which of these is made up of smallest particles of rocks which contain decayed matter
of plants and animals.
A. Land B. Soil C. Mineral
2. What do you call the scientist that study about soil?
A. Meteorologist B. Pedologist C. Botanist
3. Which type is characterized as having the finest particles that holds greater amount of
water?
A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand
4. Which type of soil is best for planting?
A. Loam B. Clay C. Sand
5. Which of the soil is good for making pots?
A. Sand B. Loam C. Clay
6. Which of the soil is good for constructing of buildings?
A. Sand B. Loam C. Clay
7. How do each soil types differ?
A. Texture B. Color C. A and B
8. How does decayed organism like plants and animals make the soil fertile? It ______.
A. Makes the texture finer B. Enhances odor C. Adds nutrients to the soil
9. Which of the following is not a factor to the growth of a seed?
A. Air B. Moisture C. Hot temperature
10. Which of the following statements is best describes about soil?
A. Soil is not important in sustaining life on earth.
B. Soil serves as a place where animals and people live.
C. Soil is the only place where animals can live.

LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

Direction: Identify the following terms related to soil. Answer it by arranging the
jumbled letters.
1. I O L S - It covers most of the land part of the earth. ____________
2. M A L O - It can hold enough water and oxygen, which are needed for plant growth. ______
3. Y A C L - It made up of very fine particles of rocks. ____________
4. N D S A - It is a type of soil particle that are coarse and loose. ____________
5. S U U H M – It comes from decaying plants and animals. ____________

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 Lesson
Soil: Its Types and Characteristics and

1 Factors Affecting the Growth of

Selected Plant

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
LET’S LEARN
Making soil takes a long time, often a thousand years or more. When surface rocks
break down, they mix with decaying organic material such as plants and animals. When this
organic material decomposes, nutrients are returned to the earth, providing food for plants.
Soils are shaped by the interaction of five major factors: time, environment, parent material,
topography, and organisms. The relative importance of each factor varies by location, but the
sum of all five factors usually determines the type of soil that develops in any given location.
Soil occupies the majority of the earth's ground surface. Plants, animals, houses, and
other species can all be found in the soil. We live on the ground, which benefits us in a variety
of ways. The physical characteristics of various types of soil vary. Color, texture, odor, and
water holding capacity vary by soil type. Some soils are ideal for growing plants, while others
are not. The occurrence of various types of vegetative plants in a location indicates that the soil
in the area or locality is of good quality. Scientists who research soil are known as geologists.

There are three main types of soil namely; clay, loam and sand.

CLAY LOAM SAND

Clay is made up of very small or fine particles of rocks. This type of soil holds much
water and becomes very sticky when wet. Clay soil can be used in making pots, bricks and the
like.
Sand contains particles that are coarser than those of clay and silt. It is loose and easy
to dig. This soil is not for growing plants because it cannot hold water well. Water easily passes
through between soil particles. However, sand allows air to pass through in between the
particles.
Loam contains the right mixture of particles, silt, sand and clay. Loam soil can hold
enough water and oxygen, which are needed for plant growth.
Humus comes from decaying plants and animals. It keeps the soil soft and loose. Humus
also provides the nutrients used by plants.
The surface of the earth is provided with loose particles called soil. The soil is formed
from the breaking of rocks into smaller particles due to weathering. Soil is very important in
sustaining life on earth. It is needed by plants in making food that provides life to other living
things.

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ACTIVITIES
Activity 1. Tell me who I am!
Objective: Identify the different types of soil based on their physical characteristics.

Direction: Draw the different types of soil and write/describe their physical characteristics in
terms of size, texture and color.
Types of Soil

I am _______________. I am _______________. I am _______________.

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

Activity 2. Collect Me My Dear!

Objective: Classify soils in their community using simple criteria such as particle size,
texture, color and water absorbability.
Materials: 3plastic cups with the same size, shape and color, 3 popsicle sticks, 3 different
types of soil.
Directions: Follow the steps in doing the activity.
1. Collect three samples of soil in your community/area and place each on separate
cups/container and label each cup with A, B, and C.

A B C
2. Collect three samples of soil in your area and place each on separate
cups/container.
3. Place each sample on a separate bond paper.
4. Using a hand lens and popsicle stick, observe each sample and write your
observations on a piece of paper using the table below.

Characteristics of Soil
Soil Color Texture Odor
A
B
C

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Activity 3. Try Triad Diagram!
Objective: Compare and contrast the characteristics of the different types of soil.
Direction: Write the differences and the similarities of the three types of soil.

Clay
Write here the
characteristics of
clay. Loam

Write here Write here

the the
similarities similarities
of all of all
types of Types of types of
soil. soil.
Soil

Write here the Write here

Write here the
characteristics of the
characteristics of
sand. similarities loam.
of all
types of
soil.

Sand

Activity 4. Let’s see What happen?

Objective: Investigate the characteristics of the different types of soil as to their ability to
grow plants.
Materials: a handful pre-soaked mongo seeds, 6 pcs. of clear plastic cups with tiny holes at
the bottom, 2 sets of 1 cup each of the three types of soil samples, clear plastic ruler-1foot-
inch, 2 cups tap water.
Directions: Follow the given procedures carefully.
1. Prepare six clear plastic cups of the same size and place equal amount of soil in each
cup. Prepare two cups per type of soil according to the illustration. Each cup will
contain seeds and will be watered during the activity and mark each cup with the
same type of soil as:

1 2 3 1 2 3
LOAM SOIL CLAY SOIL SANDY SOIL LOAM SOIL CLAY SOIL SANDY SOIL

SET-UP A (Place inside the house/room) SET-UP B (Place outside the house/room)

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 2. Sow five pre-soaked mongo seeds overnight in each cup.
3. Sprinkle one tablespoon of tap water in each cup.
4. Record and observe the number of leaves that comes out every day and measure the
height of the plant from root to tip using transparent ruler in centimeter (cm).
5. Record all your observations using the table below.

OBSERVATIONS
Type DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3
Set- of
Up Soil No. Color No. Color No. Color
Height Height Height
Used of of the of of the of of the
in cm in cm in cm
leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves

A Without Sunlight

B With Sunlight

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. In which cup and set-up did the seeds sprout first? Why is this so?

2. In which cup and set-up did the seeds sprout the last? Why is this so?

3. In which cup did the mongo seeds grow best? Why?

4. What do you think helped the mongo seeds sprout fast?

5. What does the activity show?

REMEMBER

Time, climate, parent material, topography, relief, and organisms are all important
factors in the formation of soil.
The three forms of soil are as follows:
Clay- The particles are closely packed together. It has the finest texture and is sticky when wet.
Loam- The term "loam" refers to a mixture of sand and clay. It has a lot of decayed plants and
animals in it. It has a fine texture.
Sand- The sand consists of coarse, loose particles.

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CHECKING OF UNDERSTANDING
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Based on your picture
above, which of the
variables/factors helped the growth
of the seed?
2. Which of the variables is
considered the most important
factor in the growth of plants?
3. Do you think plants will
grow without the presence of soil?
Why?

Care and Concern for our Environment

1. How will you show that you care and concern for the importance of soil in our
environment?

POSTTEST
Direction: Read each question carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer in other sheet.
1. Which of the following contains greater amount of decayed plants and animals?
A. Loam B. Humus C. Sand
2. What do you call the scientist that study about soil?
B. Meteorologist B. Pedologist C. Botanist
3. Which type is characterized as having the finest particles that holds greater amount of
water?
B. Clay B. Sand C. Loam
4. Which of the following types of soil is best for planting?
B. Loam B. Clay C. Sand
5. Which of the soil is good for making jars and pots?
A. Sand B. Loam C. Clay
6. Which type of soil has a coarsest particle?
A. Sand B. Loam C. Clay
7. How do each soil types differ?
B. Texture B. Color C. A and B
8. How does decayed organism like plants and animals make the soil fertile? It _______.
B. Makes the texture finer B. Enhances odor C. Adds nutrients to the soil
9. Which of the following is not a factor to the growth of a seed?
A. Air B. Hot Temperature C. Moisture
10. Why should we show concern for soil?
A. Because soil serves as a place where animals and people live.
B. Because it provides the necessary nutrients needed by plants.
C. A and B

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REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET

Name: ____________________________ Grade& Section:___________

Why Soil Matters?
Direction: Write your own reflective learning on different types of soil by answering the questions
inside the box. Have fun and enjoy.

What I have What How can I What values I

learned from concepts/ideas apply my got from this
this lesson? can I share with learnings to lesson?
____________ my family and everyday life ____________
____________ friends? situation? ____________
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

Teacher_______________________ School___________________ Date________

Note: Submit this answer sheet to your teacher.

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REFERENCES

Books:
Abutay, Lelani R., et al. Science Learner’s Material (2015) Lexicon Press pp. 244- 257
Abutay, Lelani R., et al. Science Teacher’s Guide (2015) Lexicon Press
pp. 287- 299

Websites:
https://www.soils4kids.org/about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csmmjPfQg9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og9A_Apr534

Pictures:
https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/agriculture-hand-nurtur-watering-young-plants-
growing-step-soil-concept_2183922.htm
Larzus Mookvorale L, 2018. http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/collab:image-checker/p/6
https://plantcaretoday.com/what-is-good-garden-loam.html
https://www.britannica.com/science/sand

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Writer: GERALD A. ROMANTICO, Moises Salvador Elementary School

Illustrator: GERALD A. ROMANTICO, Moises Salvador Elementary School

Editor: JONATHAN P. DEREZ, Public School District Supervisor

Reviewer: REBECCA M. ROXAS, Education Program Supervisor

Management Team: MARIA MAGDALENA M. LIM -Schools Division

Superintendent-Manila, AIDA H. RONDILLA-Chief Education Supervisor
LUCKY S. CARPIO-EPS and LADY HANNAH C GILLO, Librarian II-LRMS

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ANSWER KEY

PRE TEST LOOKING BACK TO ACTIVITY 1

YOUR LESSON ACTIVITY 2
1. B ACTIVITY 3
2. B ACTIVITY 4
3. A 1. SOIL
4. A 2. LOAM
5. C 3. CLAY
6. A 4. SAND
7. C ANSWERS MAY VARY
5. HUMUS
8. C
9. B
10. C

CHECKING OF POST TEST REFLECTIVE

UNDERSTANDING LEARNING
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. C
ANSWERS MAY VARY 6. A ANSWERS MAY VARY
7. C
8. C
9. B
10. C

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