Soil Investigation
WHAT IS SOIL?
Soil is made up of four main components:
Air
Water
Organic matter
(like decaying plant parts or insects)Minerals
(like rocks)
Background:
Whether you are new to gardening or are an experienced gardener looking for a deeper connection, investigating soil is a great learning opportunity for all ages! In this activity, you will explore the wonders of soil and learn its components by using your senses.
Soil Safety:
Soil in around your home can contain pieces of glass, sharp objects, or contaminants. Unless you are familiar with the safety of soil in your backyard/neighborhood, we recommend using bagged soil or potting mix for this activity.
Dry soil can blow into eyes/mouths/noses easily when picked up or dropped!
Keep soil at least a few inches from your face at all times.
Make sure to wear eye coverings of some kind if you’re working outside on a windy day.
Materials:
Soil*
A large bag, bowl, or bin if you are collecting soil and bringing it inside
A shovel or trowel to break up soil, if compacted or dry
Eye goggles/glasses/covering if you’re working outside on a windy day
Soil Investigation (PK-K or 1-8) printables (No printer? Just copy down the prompts in your child’s journal or a notebook!)
Something solid to write on like a clipboard, book, notepad, or sturdy cardboard
Pencil or coloring tools (or, pointing works great for preschoolers!)
Activity:
Use the activity worksheet (PK-K or 1-8) to guide your investigation. Feel free to discuss observations out loud, or jot them down in a journal or piece of paper.
*Remember that plants need nutrients to grow! While you may have access to soil in your environment, it may not be best for growing.