Soil

•
•
Lesson Objectives:
Soil
To explain where soil comes from
• To understand a profile and label a soil profile.
• To explain why soil is important and also why we must
conserve it.
 Where does soil come from?
Weathering
is the
breakdown
of rocks and
minerals into
soils. Rocks
are broken
into three
major
groups:
sedimentary,
igneous, and
metamorphic
. The rock Lesson Objectives:
cycle To explain where soil
illustrates comes from
how these To understand a
different profile and label a soil
profile.
types of
To explain why soil is
rocks form.
important and also
why we must conserve
it.
 Can you explain how soil is formed?
The strips below will help.
Note the important
words: weathering,
erosion, transportation
and soil.

Explain to a partner.
Lesson Objectives:
To explain where soil comes from
To understand a profile and label a soil profile.
To explain why soil is important and also why
we must conserve it.
Assessment for Learning
Lesson Objective To explain where soil comes from
Lesson Objectives:
To explain where soil comes from
Soil Profile
To understand a profile and label a soil profile.
To explain why soil is important and also why we must
conserve it.
 2) Complete these
1) Label the sections explanations:
of your soil profile
with these parts: 1) Topsoil is ……………….. and full of
…………………………
• Rocky Soil 2) Subsoil is ………………. coloured
• Subsoil and ………………………………….
• Bedrock 3) Rocky Soil has pieces of
• Topsoil ……………… that are breaking down
and is starting to become soil.
4) Bedrock is ………………. Rock.
Lesson Objectives:
To explain where soil comes from
To understand a profile and label a soil profile.
To explain why soil is important and also why we
must conserve it.

- Rock - Light - Dark - Solid

- Rotting plants - less fertile

Assessment for Learning
Lesson Objective : To understand a profile and label a
soil profile
Lesson Objectives:
To explain where soil comes from
To understand a profile and label a soil profile.
To explain why soil is important and also why we must
conserve it.
 Lesson Objectives:
Soil is like a skin over To explain where soil comes from
To understand a profile and label a soil profile.
the earth’s crust, and is To explain why soil is important and also why we must
conserve it.
essential in enhancing
life on earth.
There are six main
contributors to soil:
- Parent rocks and
sediments
- Climate
- Landscape
- Vegetation and
living creatures
- Time
- Man
 Soil and you.

Parent rock
has precious
stones and
minerals.
Weathered down rock
form minerals.

Plants extract the

minerals and
humus and grow. Cows eat plants
We eat plants and
for food. animals and we get
Lesson Objectives: minerals from rocks.
To explain where soil comes from
To understand a profile and label a soil profile.
To explain why soil is important and also why we must
conserve it.
Assessment for Learning
Lesson Objective :To explain why soil is important and
also why we must conserve it.
 Plenary - Quiz

1) What is a soil horizon?

a) A factor influencing how soil is formed
b) A layer of soil
c) An organism found within the soil
d) A technique used to map soils

2) Which three layers form the soil profile?

a) Air. water and soil
b) Minerals, organic matter and living organisms
c) Clay, silt and sand
d) The topsoil, subsoil and parent material

3) How does a 'sandy' soil feel like to touch?

a) Sticky
b) Gritty
c) Smooth

4) Why is organic matter (humus) an important part of soil? a) It helps to improve

water infiltration
b) It can break down organic pollutants
c) It converts nitrogen in the air into nitrates used by plants
d) It is rich in nutrients, which is important for fertility
Plenary - Quiz