Vanishing Homes 2

Children learn to appreciate soil while learning how frequently it is taken for granted.
Recommended Period for this Activity: All year round

1. Discover soil 
Soil is the most common and important part of all land habitats. Watch the video "The Living Soil" (in Downloadable Materials). 

 

2. Get ready for a “Soil Survey” 
Find the worksheet "My Soil Survey" in the Downloadable Materials and make copies for your students. You will survey soil patches in your school and nearby streets. The walk doesn’t have to be long but try to include places with and without soil. 

 

3. Walk, look, and record 
Plan a route around your neighbourhood, starting from the school. As you walk, fill in the worksheet with your observations. Look at tree troughs, traffic islands, public spaces, front gardens, and more. 


Resources & Equipment Needed

Copies of My Soil Survey worksheet

You can download these instructions in PDF by clicking here: Generate PDF

Downloadable Material

Activity Sheet_Vanishing homes 2

PDF Document

My soil survey

PDF Document

The living soil

YouTube Video

Make sure to take photos of:
1. Children carrying out the survey in school and outside
Activity Photos for Inspiration

Learning Outcomes & Curriculum Integration

Subjects

  • - Science

Learning Outcomes

Science

5.1.1 I can ask questions about the world around me. 

5.1.5 I can record observations in a simple format. 

5.1.6 I can make simple conclusions from my direct observations. 

5.1.14 I can take basic measurements size and express the reading using the appropriate unit.

5.7.2 I can understand the importance of soil to support life.

5.7.3 I can observe that soil is made of different organisms, organic matter and rocks.

Integration with Curriculum

Suggestions for teachers: 

1. If this activity cannot be carried out at school it could be given as homework. Parents can take photos of their children making thier observations. Students will then share their findings with their friends at school. Students can then compare their observations and draw conclusions.