Lesson 3
Activity 1
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Lesson 3 Activity 1 |
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Activity 1: This activity is an in-class soils lab. All you need to do to prepare is bring in a soil sample from home (or somewhere in your neighborhood). Try to gather at least a 1 quart size sample that doesn't include the grass or other vegetation in it. Bring it to class for the Wednesday or Thursday seminar class this week. I have included a copy of the lab below so you can see in advance what we will be doing in class for the web lesson this week. Life in the Soil 1. Pour out your soil sample onto a large sheet of white butcher paper. 2. Carefully sort through the soil searching for plant roots, small creatures, etc. Look for anything organic (dead or alive). 3. Separate into plant and animal categories. Fill out the data sheet with what you find. 4. Use the resources provided to attempt to identify what the organisms are and what roles they play in the soil ecosystem.
Purpose: To compare and contrast 3 different soils from the local area.
Procedure: Get small samples (2 tablespoons) from 3 different soils brought by other students or collected on the school grounds. Put the samples in petri dishes. Get a jewelers loupe and a binocular microscope.
1. Describe the appearance of the samples: texture, color, smell, etc. Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
2. Draw the samples as they appear through the jewelers loupe. Use as much detail as possible. Sample A
Sample B
Sample C
3. Examine the samples under the microscope, draw and describe their appearance in the space below. Estimate the percentage of organic material, sand, silt, and clay particles using the field tests we learned in class: finger test for sand, ribbon test for clay, tooth test for silt. Name each soil using the soil textural triangle. Sample A
Draw: Describe: Estimate: Sand _____ % Clay _______% Silt______%Organic______% Name____________
Sample B Draw: Describe: Estimate: Sand _____ % Clay _______% Silt______%Organic______% Name____________
Sample C
Draw: Describe: Estimate: Sand _____ % Clay _______% Silt______%Organic______% Name____________
4. Summarize the similarities and differences of the 3 samples in the space below.
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