Syngenta: Why Is Soil So Important
This is a 30-minute “quick lesson plan” built around the Syngenta video “Why is Soil So Important?” in which students complete the “So(il), What’s the Big Deal?” worksheet to explore soil’s importance, composition, soil profile layers, and sustainable soil management challenges. It includes an introduction discussion, the video-based worksheet activity, a follow-up class discussion, and a “Leveling Up” extension to the National Land and Range Judging Contest, with an answer key provided.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Articulate the importance of soil.
- Label the basic layers of a soil profile.
- Identify the percentages of organic matter, mineral matter, air and water in soil.
- Describe why sustainable soil practices are needed.
- Identify the challenges of soil management.
- Time required
- 30 minutes
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "So(il), What's the Big Deal?" worksheet for each student.
- Internet access for students to complete the worksheets.
- FFA.org
- Video – Syngenta: Why is Soil So Important? https://youtu.be/H_YXEh0eQD4
- This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As
- 1. A portion of a plant systems curriculum. 2. A portion of an agricultural companies lesson/unit.
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Information, Communications and Technology Literacy
- Created
- 06/2016 by the National FFA Organization
Downloads & Links
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.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- 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
- CS.01Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the agriculture, food & natural resources career cluster.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG1Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster.
- 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 – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.6Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.1Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.4Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.7Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
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.9-10.4Present 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.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
NASDCTEc
- AGC02.02Employ the use of technical information effectively to maintain and communicate records and reporting procedures commonly used in the AFNR cluster.
- AGC10.04Envision emerging technology and globalization and project its influence on widespread markets to demonstrate an understanding of technologies and trends that will impact the AFNR industry.