In this unit, students investigate the chief components of soil—sand, clay, and humus—and explore the relationship between soil and plant growth. Early in the unit, they create their own compost bags. This activity enables them to observe the decomposition of organic materials over time. Students observe and read about earthworms to learn about their connection to plant roots and soil.

The students also conduct tests that enable them to observe and compare such properties of soil as odor, appearance, and texture. Phenomena such as settling, water content, and soil consistency are also explored. These observations are then related to plant growth, as students plant cucumber seeds in a clear plastic tube. By observing root growth, students learn about the role of roots in keeping the plant anchored and upright. In a final activity, students apply what they have learned to investigate a sample of local garden soil.

Trainer Tips:

• To make the local soil activity more interesting, teachers need to gather a sample when the worms & ants, etc. were alive and kicking! Or, they're using an old sample or even the humus sample in the kit which doesn't have much to see.
• There is a page in the teacher's guide with pictures of many "critters" found in (local) soil samples. (see p.175 "Organisms You Might Find while Exploring Soil" &/or "Insects, Other Arthropods & Non-arthropods")
• I recommend they share this with the class (either copy for the students or use as a transparency), because sometimes the "critters" just aren't in the local soil sample they may use with the kids. They should however, easily find leaves, bits of twig and other decomposing objects in their soil sample. If they're using a fresh sample, they could/should find ladybugs, ants, earwigs, beetles, sow bugs, millipedes, spiders, earthworms, snails, slugs...
• A local Botanical/Community Garden may allow students to dig through the local soil/compost pile there.
• They should find worms, bugs of all kinds, spiders, ants, rotting leaves, twigs, etc. If a field trip isn't an option, they may be able to get a sample from the Garden and use it with their class.

Time-lapse movies of germination and various flowers opening

Interactive Activities for the Soils unit

Additional Photos

Parent Letter - English

Parent Letter - Spanish

Soils Storyline (pdf)

Living Materials Information & Care Sheet - Red Worms (pdf)

Literacy / Book Lists

Teacher Recommended Resources

Recommended Websites

Unit Certificate
Acknowledge your student's accomplishment in completing this unit with our completion certificate.  We hope they enjoyed learning about science through The Einstein Project's hands-on approach!

Sponsorship Opportunity

Sponsor the Soils unit! Please contact Lori Kaufman, development director, about this and other sponsorship opportunities. You can reach her at 920-884-8800 or lori@einsteinproject.org.

What are people saying about the Soils Einstein science unit?

"Great experiments."
--Sue Ruth, Grade 2 teacher at Green Lake Elementary School, Green Lake, Wisconsin

"My students love this unit. Great use of scientific skills & application of knowledge."
--Sara Malchow, Grade 2 teacher at Glenbrook Grade School, Pulaski, Wisconsin

"The kids had fun 'playing' with the dirt."
--Kay Cotu, Grade 3 teacher at Hemlock Creek Elementary School, De Pere, Wisconsin