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The Apple As Planet Earth
Spin by Dr. Dirt
Activities prepared for the WTAMU Math-Science Teacher's Conference, September 25, 2004 The Apple as Planet Earth: A quick, simple illustration using an apple to help students understand the importance and limited nature of the soil resource. This 1-minute video is found on the American Farmland Trust website (at the bottom). In case the link does not work, the url is: http://www.farmland.org/#. TEKS: Grade 1: 112.3.b1B Grade 2: 112.4.b1B, 10B Grade 3: 112.5.b1B, 3C, 11A Grade 4: 112.6.b1B, 3C Grade 5: 112.7.b1B, 3C Grade 6: 112.22.b1B, 3C Grade 7: 112.23.b1B, 2A Grade 8: 112.24.b1B Env Sys: 112.44c5A Scale model of a soil profile: A simple illustration that gives students an opportunity to take home their own microscale model of a real soil profile. It is possible to make this one as complex or simple as you desire. Consider using: Existing road cuts or stream banks on short field trips, 24 to 36" deep hole dug with a shovel in the school yard or lawn, a hole about 2 meters deep x 1 meter wide x 2 or 3 meters long dug by a backhoe, etc. The direct url is http://soils.usda.gov/education/resources/k_12/lessons/profile/. Several other educational activities are included at the parent site: http://soils.usda.gov/education/resources/k_12/. The one above is included in the lessons link. TEKS: Grade 3: 112.5.b3C, 11B Grade 4: 112.6.b3C Grade 5: 112.7.b3C Grade 6: 112.22.b3C, 4 A&B Dirt Shirts: A brief introduction to soil chemistry and the scientific method that helps students understand and see that differences in soil color are caused by differences in soil properties, especially soil minerals. Grade 3: 112.5.b2 A-E, 3 A&C Grade 4: 112.6.b2 A-E, 3 A&C Grade 5: 112.7.b2 A-E, 3 A&C Grade 6: 112.22.b2 A-E, 3 A&C Grade 7: 112.23.b2 A-E, 3 A&C Grade 8: 112.24.b2 A-E, 3 A&C, 4B Int Phys Chem: 112.42c2 A-D, 3 A&C Click on the links above to find the methods for each of the activities above. Visit Dr. Dirt's homepage to find other simple, educational activities suited for you classroom. http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/DrDirt.htm Clay Robinson, Ph.D., alias Dr. Dirt Professor of Soil Science West Texas A&M University crobinson@mail.wtamu.edu office phone: 806.651.2553 fax: 806.651.2938 |