Making Dirt

Age/Grade Appropriate

Kindergarten, Grades 1 through 2

Length

20 minutes plus possible time to walk outside to collect soil

Key Concepts

Observation
Comparison
Earth Science
Examine
Measure

Background

The soil is something more than the base for a yard. Each soil has characteristics unique to its make up. This activity demonstrates this. It also shows how soils take in and hold water. Soil are as individual as the children studying them.

Procedure

Have the children bring in a small sample of soil from their yard (less than ¼ cup will be fine). They should bring it in in a zip top baggie or similar see through, closeable container with their name on it.

Have the students look at their soil samples through the plastic bags. They can feel its texture without getting dirty. Have them call out words to describe how their soil looks and feels. Write these words down.

Fasten a piece of cloth over the small end of each funnel, using the rubber bands.

Suspend each funnel over a jar.

Select the two most diverse looking soils. Hopefully, you will have a distinctly clay-based soil and a distinctive sand-based soil.

Empty the contents of each chosen container into a funnel.

Measure out and pour one cup of water into each funnel.

Observe as the water percolates down through the soil.

How much water collects in the jar? Which soil hold the most water? What does this mean?

Extensions

You can do this using different soil types, rocks, sand, and other materials. The students will observe what holds moisture and what filters water.

Materials

Samples of soil brought in by students
Clear funnels
Water
Clear jars
Rubber bands
Two small pieces of cloth
One cup measure

Vocabulary

Soil
Percolation
Clay
Dirt
Mud

Fun Facts

Soil is primarily made up of humus (decayed remains of plants and animals) and tiny bits of weathered rocks.

The soil of the Badlands is made up of the weathered away bits of formations combined with dead grasses, leaves, and animal carcasses.

As you dig deeper and deeper into soil, you will find less and less humus and more rocks.

Different layers of soils are called horizons.

Resources

Williams, Robert. Mudpies to Magnets

A Pre-school science guide full of experiments and activities.

Bowden, Marcia. Nature for the Very Young

Divided into seasonal activities. Many are specific to plants or animals not found in South Dakota but some can be adapted to our area.