Teaching the layers of the soil is important for so many reasons. It teaches students how soil may have formed over time, it helps them to understand the issues surrounding soil conservation and management, and they become aware of the relationships between soils, plants, animals, and the environment.
Before they get into the details of these things, its important for students to understand exactly what soil is its composition. That’s where these soil horizons come into play.
What are the 5 layers of soil? They are topsoil, subsoil, substratum, organic, and bedrock. Also know as A, B, C, O, and R horizons.
In this post, I share awesome introductory WONDER activities to get your students hyped up about learning the layers of the soil. Second, I share an interactive lesson that discusses the 5 layers of soil in order and their importance. Finally, I share some WIDEN activities to give your students a chance to explore this topic further!
Which layers of the soil activities will you add to your lesson plan?
Layers of the Soil WONDER Activities
I am a true believer that you have to hype students up to learn about a topic. Some are students are excited, but probably not as much as their science teacher is. Here are some ideas to get your students hooked in and internally motivated to learn about the layers of the soil!
Soil Sampling
What better way to talk about the layers of the soil than to observe some soil! You will just need a soil sampler probe, such as this one here.
You can choose to take your students on a “field trip” outside, or you can provide a sample for your students.
Once you have your sample (or samples), there are a few options you can choose to do:
- Just have a class discussion. You can stand at the front of the classroom and ask students what they notice. Do they notice any layers, or does it all look the same?
- Compare different samples. Maybe you took a sample from the front of the school and one from the back of the school. How are they the same, or how are they different?
- If you can see distinct layers, provide soil samples in stations for students to examine. They may notice a difference between the color, texture, and the composition of the soil.
Picture Sort
Collect a variety of pictures that represent different soil horizons. You can find these online, or create your own!
Once you have the cards ready:
- Divide your students into groups and make sure that each group gets a set of the cards.
- Once they have these cards, have students sort them based on their characteristics. Don’t mention the names of the soils yet, just make sure they know they are layers.
- See how they categorize them!
- See if they can put them in order of how they think they are layered in the ground.
- Once they try this, see if they can research what the layers of soil are called.
All students love to sort and organize. This is a fun way to introduce the soil layers if you don’t have actual soil to explore.
Formation of Soil
Maybe you are required to teach how the soil is formed and don’t have as much time for introductory activities for the horizons. I got you! You can teach how the soil is formed before diving into the layers.
You can check out this post to explore more.
Layers of the Soil Interactive Lesson
Interactive lessons are a wonderful way to introduce and teach science content to your students. Number 1, they help students retain information. Number 2, they can be used in so many ways. Number 3, they are fun and engaging!
Interactive lessons can be used for lessons, but they can also be used for review, science centers, test prep, and so much more!
What are the layers of the soil? In this soil horizons interactive lesson, students will learn about the components of soil and the horizons of A, B, C, O, and R. The E horizon is also mentioned.
Inside, there are embedded activities to help students process the information they are taking in. These include an anticipation guide, exploring outside resources, critical thinking questions, drag-and-drop activities, and more!
This isn’t your average layers of soil powerpoint!
You can find this in the Bright in the Middle Shop.
You can also find this on TPT.
Layers of Soil Project Ideas to WIDEN Student Knowledge
When there is time, it’s also great to do something extra that will allow students to show off what they have learned already and learn more in the process. These activities also make great summative assessments. Here are three ideas! Skip the layers of soil activity sheet, and check these out!
Layers of Soil Edible Project
This is an oldie, but a goodie. I think that any time that you bring food into the classroom, it’s a great day!
You’ll need materials such as M & Ms, pudding, gummy worms, and more. Doesn’t it sound like a delicious sugar rush?! Time to make an awesome model of the layers of soil in a jar!
There are a ton of resources online to check out.
Here are some great ones.
You have the option of telling students exactly what to put into their model OR, even better, you can provide the materials, but allow them to create their own based on their new knowledge. Make sure they label the layers of soil names.
Have students to summarize with a layers of soil explanation after they create their soil profile.
Soils Interactive Map
Another fun thing to check out is the interactive map by the Soil Science Society of America. There is a lot of layers of soil information for different states.
All students have to do is click on the state they wish to explore. You can give them guiding questions or even create a project!
Here’s a great idea:
- Have your students create a brochure on their state soil. Students can highlight the importance of the use of the soil in their state, the history, the limitations, land use, and more!
Here’s another idea:
- You can have students to create a presentation to compare the soil of their state to another state of their choice.
Microorganisms Exploration
One of the most important components of soil are the organisms that live in it.
Why not explore them?
- Collect some soil from the topsoil layer.
- Prepare some microscope slides with small portions of the soil sample. Spread the soil thinly and evenly across the slide.
- Instruct students to carefully place the slide under the microscopes.
- See if they can find and identify different microorganisms that live in the soil!
- Don’t forget to collect data!
Help your students master science content!
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