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It is important that your students begin to understand that soil is a mixture of mineral particles and organic matter of varying size and composition. They need a general understanding that particles and matter make up about half of the soil’s volume and that air and/or water occupy the remainder. Your students may need help in learning that a mature, fertile soil is the product of centuries of physical and chemical weathering of rock, combined with the addition and decay of plants and other organic matter. In the investigations that follow, students examine and experiment with soil, and other material samples, to gain a better understanding of what soil is.
In these first investigations, your students will use their senses to investigate properties of soil and a similar natural medium, sand. The two media will be introduced with photos to show that soils often sustain abundant vegetation and sand, generally much less. This initial contrast will serve as an invitation for students to question and investigate the properties by which soil and sand differ.
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This investigation is considered generally safe to do with students. However, you must ensure that students do not allow sand or soil traces to inadvertently enter their mouths from their hands. Make sure everyone understands this from the beginning. Students should wash their hands after handling soil or sand. Please also review the investigation for your specific setting, materials, students, and conventional safety precautions.
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