Secrets of soil

Grade and topic

Grade 6 Agriculture

Curriculum references

• Understand soil
• Using computers to study and document things

Concept / Topic To Teach

• Soil structure and fertility

General Goal(s)

Understand layout of soils and soil types

Specific Objectives

Objectives

to observe soil profiles to judge the soil types and fertility to understand the soil types in Marovo

Required Materials

• Soil samples
• XO laptops or Windows laptop
• Digital camera
• Reef and Rainforest books and wiki access

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In)

• Introduce soil types on blackboard.
• Demonstrate the soil samples and features.
• Point out examples in the book, show the students examples in the wiki
• Compare Marovo and English names
• Explain the excursion/outdoor activity

Step-By-Step Procedures

Activity

Teacher will take the class to suitable site Teacher demonstrates how to identify soil type with senses Safety briefing about washing hands with soap and other precautions Students form in to groups of mixed gender and ability Students identify a soil type by English and Marovo name Students photograph and sketch the soil and take notes on their XOs or on paper Everyone washes hands with soap

Plan For Independent Practice

Assignment

Students should look in their home area for different soil types and document Identify how many soil types are available Ask family members what soil types they know in English and Marovo language Students must work under parental supervision and wash hands after working with soil

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set)

• Students look in the books and wiki for soil types (could be a follow up lesson)
• Group presentations and discussion
• Teacher summarises findings
• Teacher selects content for uploading to wiki

Assessment Based On Objectives

• Assess the group presentations
• Assess students books
• Questions on blackboard including some requiring use of books and wiki

Adaptations (For Students With Learning Disabilities)

• Group work encouraging students to help each other

Extensions (For Gifted Students)

• Upload good photos and text to the wiki
• Do a Memorize game about the soil types
• Create an eToys active essay about soil types

Possible Connections To Other Subjects

• Science - chemistry (acidity etc) and biology (soil content)
• Social studies (geography and soil types)

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