1. Topic of the Lesson: Soil
2. Lesson Essential Question(s): Will students be able to recreate a representation model of the layers
of soil under the earth?
3. NJCCC Standards:
5.4.4.C.1
Rocks can be broken down to make soil.
5.4.4.C.2
Earth materials in nature include rocks, minerals, soils, water, and the gases of the atmosphere.
4. A. Objectives:
SWBAT name and explain the layers of soil.
SWBAT identify the different materials in the layers of soil.
B. Assessments:
Charts and exit ticket will be collected at the end of the lesson.
Charts and exit ticket will be collected at the end of the lesson.
5. Materials: Soil powerpoint, poster paper, bags of pictures of objects found in soil, glue, markers,
Soil Fun Fact quizzes, exit worksheets
6. Pre-lesson assignments and/or prior knowledge: We started the Rocks and Minerals Unit last
week. The students have been learning about various types of rocks. Today is the first day that they
will be learning about soil.
7. Lesson Beginning: What is in dirt? Give students 60 seconds to brainstorm as many things as
possible with their tables. Share thoughts.
8. Instructional Plan:
o Differentiation: The teacher will introduce and explain each layer of soil before the students are
asked to complete their posters. The class will create their posters step by step, following along
with the different layers of soil in the powerpoint. The teacher will model each step. All materials
will be pre-prepared by the teacher. A list of vocabulary words with the correct spelling will be
displayed for the students to use. Their desks are set up in groups to facilitate group work,
allowing the students to share ideas when working together. The teacher will walk around as the
students are working to monitor their progress and help any struggling students. The students
will be instructed to complete the Soil Fun Fact Quiz if they finish early.
o Lesson Steps:
The children will be called by table to pick up materials. Compliments will be given to
students/tables that are on-task. Gigi Paws will be given to individual students following directions
and behaving appropriately.
o Transitions:
When we switch tasks, the teacher will count down from 10. By 0, all students should have followed
the teacher’s instructions and be ready to continue. The children will be instructed to hand in their
posters once all trash and materials are put away. All science materials will go in their science folders.
When their desks are cleared, the students will be expected to take out their Daily Grammar
Practice notebooks.
9. Closure:
The teacher will ask the students why dirt is important. Explain the significance
of dirt - natural resource, without soil no plants would grow and we depend on
growing things to live. Exit ticket: Name the four layers of soil and at least one
thing that you can find in each layer.
2. Lesson Essential Question(s): Will students be able to recreate a representation model of the layers
of soil under the earth?
3. NJCCC Standards:
5.4.4.C.1
Rocks can be broken down to make soil.
5.4.4.C.2
Earth materials in nature include rocks, minerals, soils, water, and the gases of the atmosphere.
4. A. Objectives:
SWBAT name and explain the layers of soil.
SWBAT identify the different materials in the layers of soil.
B. Assessments:
Charts and exit ticket will be collected at the end of the lesson.
Charts and exit ticket will be collected at the end of the lesson.
5. Materials: Soil powerpoint, poster paper, bags of pictures of objects found in soil, glue, markers,
Soil Fun Fact quizzes, exit worksheets
6. Pre-lesson assignments and/or prior knowledge: We started the Rocks and Minerals Unit last
week. The students have been learning about various types of rocks. Today is the first day that they
will be learning about soil.
7. Lesson Beginning: What is in dirt? Give students 60 seconds to brainstorm as many things as
possible with their tables. Share thoughts.
8. Instructional Plan:
o Differentiation: The teacher will introduce and explain each layer of soil before the students are
asked to complete their posters. The class will create their posters step by step, following along
with the different layers of soil in the powerpoint. The teacher will model each step. All materials
will be pre-prepared by the teacher. A list of vocabulary words with the correct spelling will be
displayed for the students to use. Their desks are set up in groups to facilitate group work,
allowing the students to share ideas when working together. The teacher will walk around as the
students are working to monitor their progress and help any struggling students. The students
will be instructed to complete the Soil Fun Fact Quiz if they finish early.
o Lesson Steps:
- After giving students time to share what they think can be found in dirt, explain that there are different layers of dirt that exist under our feet.
- Introduce the top layer of soil: humus (2 inches, dark, organic material of decaying plants/animals, ground level - where the grass grows)
- Allow students to create this layer on their group posters (grass, decaying leaves and animals).
- Introduce the second layer of soil: topsoil (8 inches, a lot of humus, seeds planted here)
- Allow students to create this layer on their group posters (dark dirt, water, air, minerals, earthworms, ants, insects, moles, organic matter).
- Introduce the third layer of soil: subsoil (20 inches, less humus - more clay and mineral deposits)
- Allow students to create this layer on their group posters (light, tightly packed, clay, minerals)
- Introduce the bottom layer of soil: bedrock (solid rock deep in Earth, start of soil)
- Allow students to create this layer on their group posters (rocks)
- What is soil?
- How is soil made?
- What lives in soil?
- Why is soil important to us?
The children will be called by table to pick up materials. Compliments will be given to
students/tables that are on-task. Gigi Paws will be given to individual students following directions
and behaving appropriately.
o Transitions:
When we switch tasks, the teacher will count down from 10. By 0, all students should have followed
the teacher’s instructions and be ready to continue. The children will be instructed to hand in their
posters once all trash and materials are put away. All science materials will go in their science folders.
When their desks are cleared, the students will be expected to take out their Daily Grammar
Practice notebooks.
9. Closure:
The teacher will ask the students why dirt is important. Explain the significance
of dirt - natural resource, without soil no plants would grow and we depend on
growing things to live. Exit ticket: Name the four layers of soil and at least one
thing that you can find in each layer.