Planet Earth and Beyond – Soil
Soil – it’s much more than dirt. Soil keeps us alive. Without soil, we would be hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless and breathless. Soils differ from location to location and are a range of colours. Around 25% of everything alive on Earth uses soil as a habitat.
Soil is also where we dig for treasure. Pick up a spade and see what educational treasures exist in the world beneath our feet.'
Below are resources for primary teachers related to soil in the Planet Earth and Beyond strand of the New Zealand Curriculum. The first two soil themes (habitat and differences) are suitable for NZC levels 2 and up. The remaining themes (nutrients and climate change) are suitable for NZC levels 3 and up.
The students thought ‘dirt’ was pretty boring until their eyes were opened to ‘soil’ and what lies beneath the ground. They were fascinated to discover roots, glass, worms and clay. What made a huge impact on them was how important soil is to us and the world in which we live.
Teacher
Themes
Soil is a habitat
Soil is a habitat Niches within earthworms’ habitat Activity: Observing soil microbes Activity: New Zealand soil creatures
Did you know there are more things living under the ground in the soil than there are people living above ground? I was amazed by that! It is a bit freaky.
Cate, year 2 student
New Zealand native earthworm O. multiporus
New Zealand has over 200 known species of earthworms. Most of these are natives and are found nowhere else in the world. Many of our native earthworms live in remote forest habitats so we don’t know much about them.
O. multiporus is a large deep-burrowing native earthworm. Its bioluminescence made it a traditional fishing bait and lure for Māori.
Soils differ from place to place
Soils are all different What is in soil? Soil properties Soil names Video: Important soil properties Activity: Observing soil differences Activity: Dig a hole Activity: What makes up soil? (includes an interactive graphic organiser) Activity: Visual soil assessment
We dug a MASSIVE hole, and I didn’t know the ground went that far down. When we went deeper, we found different soil like clay, and it was harder and crumbly. I loved being a scientist.
Flynn, year 2 student
Soil formation
Professor Louis Schipper from Waikato University briefly explains the five factors involved in soil formation.
Point of interest: At the end of this video, see if you can name the five factors responsible for soil formation
Soil and nutrients
Managing nutrients Focusing on phosphorus The role of clover Video: Phosphorus Video: The importance of clover Interactive: The terrestrial nitrogen cycle Activity: Nutrient pollution Activity: Water and nitrate leaching
Soil is spectacular because it is the main thing to help trees to grow, and trees give us oxygen to breathe. If we didn’t have soil, it could get tricky.
Alyssia, year 2 student
Fertilisers
Dr Ross Monaghan from AgResearch at Invermay in Otago talks about fertilisers – what they are and why they are used on farms.
Point of interest: Ross talks about using a nutrient budget for farms. The Overseer® Nutrient Budgeting model is an online tool to assist with nutrient management.
Soils and climate change
Inhibiting nitrous oxide emissions Farming and environmental pollution Activity: Farming and environmental issues
Nitrous oxide
Dr Selai Letica explains some of the causes of nitrous oxide emissions in agricultural soils and why it is important to limit them.
Points of interest:
Nitrous oxide (N2O) occurs naturally in the environment, but human activities increase its concentration in the atmosphere.
One unit of N2O is equivalent to 310 units of CO2, making nitrous oxide a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.
Teacher support materials
Online professional development
This online PD session recorded on 3 June 2015 introduces agriculture and horticulture teachers to resources on the Science Learning Hub that support three particular aspects – soils, plant reproduction and management practices.
SLH and agriculture/horticulture
Topic planners and Unit plans
Topic planners offer a suggested pathway through some of the soils resources on the Science Learning Hub. Soil theme – Is all soil the same? Soil theme - Nutrients
Unit plans on earthworms, a common soil animal: Earthworms (lower primary) Earthworms (upper primary)
Nature of science
It is important in science to not only build students’ knowledge and understanding of science but to support them to make connections between science concepts and the world around them. Soil is an ideal context for this as it links to many other aspects of science as well as global and local issues, such as growing food and farming practices.
Useful link
Visit the Hub’s Pinterest board: We dig soil.
