Lesson 5 – Soil Health for the Future
This is the fifth and final lesson in a National FFA soil health series, “Soil Health for the Future.” Students connect soil health to global challenges such as food security, climate change, pollution, and sustainable land use by researching real-world regional case studies and proposing innovative, sustainable solutions. Working in small groups, students analyze assigned global soil health scenarios, complete a graphic organizer, and present their findings and solutions to the class.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Explain connections between soil health and global challenges (climate change, food insecurity, pollution).
- Analyze real-world soil health scenarios from different regions.
- Propose sustainable solutions using systems thinking.
- Time required
- 120 minutes
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
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- A copy of the "Global Soil Health" student activity sheet for each student
- Student devices with internet access
- Appendix 1: Global Soil Health Scenarios, one set per class
- Vocabulary
- Soil Health
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Social Studies: Analyze differences in soil health across different regions, continents and countries. English/Language Arts: Write proposed solutions for soil health issues occurring within given scenarios.
- SAE and FFA Connections
- Agronomy CDE; Environmental and Natural Resources CDE; Proficiency Areas: Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management; Foundational SAE Connections: Agricultural Literacy
- Description of Lesson
- In this final lesson, students will connect soil health to global issues such as food security, climate change and sustainable land use. Students will be challenged to combine all the knowledge they have gained around soil health and conservation as they research case studies on soil management from around the globe and work together to come up with innovative and sustainable solutions for their selected soil health issues.
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Worksheet
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
- CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
- CRP.11Use technology to enhance productivity. Career-ready individuals find and maximize the productive value of existing and new technology to accomplish workplace tasks and solve workplace problems.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.03Examine and summarize the importance of health, safety and environmental management systems in AFNR workplaces.
- CS.04Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
- CS.06Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing and management of food, fiber and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
AFNR Performance Element
Common Career Technical Core
- AG-NR2Analyze the interrelationships between natural resources and humans.
- AG-NR4Demonstrate responsible management procedures and techniques to protect or maintain natural resources.
- AG3Examine and summarize the importance of health, safety, and environmental management systems in AFNR businesses.
- AG4Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
- AG6Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing, and management of food, fiber, and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.1Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.7Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.2Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-B.RelationshipBuild relationships, work as a team player and appreciate the talents of others.
- FFA.PL-C.VisionVisualize the future and how to get there.
FFA Precepts
- FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
Green/Sustainability Knowledge and Skill Statements
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 1Apply understanding of ecosystems and systems thinking to the management of natural resources to maximize the health and productivity of the environment, agriculture, communities, and society.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 3Communicate the impact of green and sustainability principles on agriculture, food and natural resource systems.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 7Demonstrate an understanding of green and sustainability trends that are impacting processes and markets in AFNR.