4.4 You Are the Scientist

At a glance

Learning objectives

• 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… Collect soil and tissue samples for testing and interpret the test results.

Time required

Instruction time for this lesson: 60 minutes.

Grade level

Middle School

Materials

• Spade or trowel
• Bucket of soil
• Pencil / pen and notebook – one per student
• Writing surface
• Transparencies and projector
• Flip chart paper – 7 sheets
• Note cards – one per pair of students
• pH test strips – available from drugstores or pool supply
• Collected soil samples from various locations: crop field, garden, student's yard, school lawn/land lab
• Paper towels
• Distilled water
• Plastic cups
• Tablespoon measuring spoons
• Markers – several per student
• Mature leaves – at least one for each group
• Standard pliers – one per group
• MS.NR.4.4.AS.A – flowchart with blanks – one per teacher
• MS.NR.4.4.AS.B – testing steps, teacher reference
• MS.NR.4.4.AS.C. Sample sap analysis – one per pair of students
• MS.NR.4.4.TM.A – flowchart with answers – one per teacher
• MS.NR.4.4.TM.B – pH scale drawing with ranges marked – one per teacher
• MS.NR.4.4.TM.C. – one per teacher

Precepts

G. Physical Growth — G1. Practice healthy eating habits

Key Terms

Soil test; Tissue testing

Lesson Number

MS.NR.4.4