In this free lesson plan, In a Speck of Soil, children directly observe a small handful of soil in order to learn what it is (not just dirt!), how it is made, and what it needs to be healthy.
Children act as scientists, first by observing a handful of soil with their eyes and then identifying different types of soil by feel. Next, they may use scientific tools like a magnifying glass or microscope to discover more.
Further investigations can be done outdoors or with a sample of unhealthy soil that has been treated with bleach (for a teacher’s handling only).
In a Speck of Soil was created as a STEM activity for the book Mighty Mole and Super Soil. Check out this soil-rich read aloud before you start your lesson!
Mighty Mole and Super Soil explores underground ecosystems as it follows a friendly mole who encounters meadow mice, garter snakes, earthworms, woodchucks, and wolf spiders above and below ground.
As part of our 40th anniversary promotion, Might Mole and Super Soil is 40% off for the month of April!
