Field Lesson: Soil Properties Exploration Oak Woodland State Core Standards 4.1 Structure and Function: Living and non-living things can be classified by their characteristic and properties. 4.2 Interaction and Change: Living and non-living things undergo changes that involve force and energy. Content Standard 4.1E.1 Identify properties, uses, and availability of Earth materials. 4.2E.1 - Compare and contrast the changes in the surface of Earth that are due to slow and rapid processes Field Journal Copy Pages required to be in the Student s Field Journals for this lesson Soils Field Journal Materials in the Kit at the 4-H Center 10 pvc pipe squares- to mark soil study area for each team(5) Trowels(5) Soil color and structure charts (laminated) (5) Forest floor invertebrates (laminated) (5) 2 cup measuring cup (5) Clear plastic jar with lid (5) Ruler (5) Hand lens (5) Plastic water squeeze bottles (2) Soil Thermometer (1) Regular Thermometer(1) Soil sample drill(1) Also needed: access to water, fill the plastic water squeeze bottles before beginning the lesson. Procedure The students will be rotating through four field lessons on the field trip. Each session will be between 45-60 minutes long; this will be determined by the teacher(s). On the field trip they will explore soil in the oak woodland habitat. The lesson, following, is adapted from the Arizona State University Mars Explorer curriculum.
Activity 2: Soil Observation and Collection Each team of students should place their pvc pipe square in a location they want to study. The inside of the square is 10 inches across. This marks the sample area to be studied. Each team will use a trowel to scoop up some of the leaf litter and material on the surface of the soil. Place it in a clear plastic jar. Observe the sample and record the material collected on the data sheet. Use the Common Soil Critters Chart on the following page to assist with identifying insects and other critters that live in soil. Repeat this procedure scooping deeper into the soil just below the surface. Record findings on the data sheet From an undisturbed area of your sample square, collect 1 cup of soil and place it in the clear jar.
SOIL CHARACTERIZATION KEY START A Soil remains loose and single grained, can only be heaped into a pyramid. NO SAND B The soil contains sufficient silt and clay to become somewhat cohesive; can be shaped into a ball that easily falls apart. NO LOAMY SAND C Same as for loamy sand but can be shaped by rolling into a short, thick cylinder. NO SILT LOAM D About equal sand, silt, and clay means the soil can be rolled into a cylinder about 15 cm long that breaks when bent. NO LOAM E As for loam although soil can be bent into a U but no further without being broken. NO CLAY LOAM F Soil can be bent into a circle that shows cracks. NO LIGHT CLAY G Soil can be bent into a circle without showing cracks. HEAVY CLAY My soil type is:
Field Lesson: Soil Properties Exploration Activity 1. Soil Context Description: Location: Aspect: Ground Cover: Land Use: Parent Material: Activity 2. Soil Observation and Collection Each team of students should place their pvc pipe square in a location they want to study. The inside of the square is 10 inches across. This marks the sample area to be studied. Each team will use a trowel to scoop up some of the leaf litter and material on the surface of the soil. Place it in a clear plastic jar. Observe the sample and record the material collected on the data sheet. Use the Common Soil Critters Chart on the following page to assist with identifying insects and other critters that live in soil. Our soil surface sample contained Repeat this procedure scooping deeper into the soil just below the surface. Record findings on the data sheet. Our soil sample just under the surface contained From an undisturbed area of your sample square, collect 1 cup of soil and place it in the clear jar.
Activity 3. Soil Color: Munsell Code: Color: Moist? Yes / No Dry? Yes / No Organic Materials Yes / No Activity 4. Air Spaces, Organic Matter and Weathered Rock: 4A- Air Spaces Predict how much air space is in a 1 cup sample of the soil. 4B- Organic Matter- Describe amount and source (animal or plant): 4C- Weathered Rock- after the solution of water and soil had had time to settle measure the depth of each layer and calculate the amount in percent each grain size contributes to this soil sample. mm depth of sand: Percent of total: mm depth of slit:: Percent of total: mm depth of clay: Percent of total: Activity 5. Soil Texture by Touch: From our touch test we find the soil behaves like it is made mostly of Sand Silt Clay How does this compare to your grain size separation results in 4C? Using the Soil Characteristics Key, in the booklet following, our soil type is: