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Primary Junior Science & Technology Teacher Resources

Classroom and teacher resources for 1-6.

Soils in the Environment

Grade 3: Understanding Earth and Space Systems

Hands-On Kits

Soils in the Environment Science Kit.

Call Number: TBD

Covers the following:

Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections

Strand E: Soils in the Environment


Students will investigate the organic and inorganic components of soil, the characteristics of healthy soil, and how healthy soil is maintained and impacts human activities. Teachers are encouraged to bring multiple types of soil for students to examine, which can be found at local garden centers, or some backyard or hardware stores.  This kit provides materials for six activities. 

Lesson Plans

Soil Lessons & Activities from Soil Science Society of America

Different lessons, activities, and games about soils for various grade levels.

Let's Explore Plants and Soils 

A grade 3 curriculum resource from the Nova Scotia Department of Education that includes worksheets, lesson plans, assessments, and extension activities.

Exploring Soils Unit Lesson Guide from STEM NORTH

A series of lessons that build on each other.  Includes worksheets and rubrics for each lesson for teachers to use for assessment purposes.

Online Video

Soils are Living!

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"A video explaining who and what lives in the soil and how it positively impacts one another."

Types of Soil

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"A straightforward video that teaches students the different characteristics of sand, silt, clay, and loam when wet and when dry."

Soil Pollution

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"This video covers what soil pollution is, how it happens, its impacts, and what we can do to lessen its impacts."

Erosion and Soil

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"An experiment done with three different bottles (one with just soil, one with dead leaves, and one with dirt with grass) to demonstrate how soil can help filter our water."

Information Books

Fiction