4.1 The Effects of Soil Erosion on Soil Profiles
This is a middle school agricultural literacy lesson (MS.NR.4.1) on “The Effects of Soil Erosion on Soil Profiles” from the Pork Checkoff Natural Resources Science: Soil curriculum. Students learn what a soil profile is, what causes soil erosion (weather and human activity), and how erosion removes nutrient-rich topsoil and degrades soil quality, using a human-profile drawing analogy, a Me-You-Us activity, and a “weather report” review activity.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- As a result of this unit the students will… Explain the importance of maintaining soil quality.
- As a result of this lesson the students will… Illustrate the impact of soil erosion using a soil profile.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 45 minutes.
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
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- Overhead, writing surface, or LCD/SMART board
- Writing utensil
- Plain white paper – one piece per two students
- MS.NR.4.1.TM.A – one per teacher
- MS.NR.4.1.TM.B – Overhead or one per group of four students
- MS.NR.4.1.TM.C – Overhead or one per group of four students
- MS.NR.4.1.TM.D – Overhead or one per group of four students
- MS.NR.4.1.ASSESS.A – one per student
- Precepts
- B. Relationships — B5. Participate effectively as a team member; I. Professional Growth — I4. Balance personal and professional responsibilities
- Key Terms
- Soil profile; Soil erosion
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NL-ENG.K-12.12Applying Language Skills
- NL-ENG.K-12.4Communication Skills
- NS.5-8.6Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
- NSS-GK-12.5Environment and Society