By Jennifer A. Gates (MSP 3Rd Grade 2011-13)

Edible Soil

By Jennifer A. Gates (MSP 3rd Grade 2011-13)

Materials

·  chocolate chips (bedrock)

·  chocolate pudding (subsoil)

·  butterscotch or pumpkin pie pudding (GA red clay)

·  sprinkles – chocolate & rainbow (small rocks & organisms)

·  Oreos (topsoil)

·  gummy worms (earthworms)

·  gummy insects for grass layer

·  Fruit Loops (fungi)

·  coconut (grass/sand/clay)

·  food coloring (green/yellow/red)

·  plastic spoons

·  small clear cups

·  A Scrumptious Soil Sample worksheet

Procedure

1.  Distribute and discuss Scrumptious Soil Sample worksheet

2.  Distribute cups

3.  Explore/explain/elaborate on bottom layer of soil as being solid rock

4.  Distribute chocolate chips to cover bottom of cup

5.  Label the worksheet (bedrock and chocolate chips)

6.  Explore/explain/elaborate on the next layer of soil

7.  Distribute pudding (whether chocolate chip and/or butterscotch or pumpkin pie)

8.  Cover chocolate chips with a thick layer of puddings, as appropriate

9.  Label the worksheet (subsoil)

10. Explore/explain/elaborate on the smaller rocks that are in the subsoil

11. Distribute chocolate sprinkles (smaller rocks) and label worksheet

12. Explore/explain/elaborate on the next layer soil

13. Distribute crushed Oreos to cover pudding

14. Label the worksheet (topsoil)

15. Discuss the organisms found in topsoil (earthworms, bacteria, fungi)

16. Add rainbow sprinkles, crushed Fruit Loops and gummy worms to topsoil

17. Label the worksheet (organisms and sprinkles, cereal and gummy worms)

18. Discuss what we see when we walk on soil (grass)

a.  You may choose to use brown/red to represent clay and/or yellow to represent sand.

19. Distribute coconut (previously colored green w/food coloring) and label sheet (coconut)

20. Remind students to pull the gummy worms through the topsoil and grass layer to represent the various depths at which worms can be found

21. Add any additional gummy creatures to top and explore/explain/engage

22. Close with review of layers, materials, and organisms found in soil.

Prior to lesson:

1.  Explore soil samples on school campus (gather samples and bring to room to closely examine), build soil sample boards, bring in samples from home to compare, and chart all data.

2.  Examine and explore soil as it relates to water absorption, test with plants and seeds.

3.  Class station/rotations to examine all samples and record labs in journal.

4.  Review all soil vocabulary using SMART vortex template.

5.  Online web review “Dirt On Soil,” with accompanying organizer (differentiated) @ http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/down_dirty.html.

Done in combination with the following resources:

-Soil Sleuths SMARTboard – SMART Exchange download (free) http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=749e30c9-bc60-4e12-913c-a68294ed0406

-Scrumptious Soil SMARTboard page

Standards:

S3E1c. Use observation to compare the similarities and differences of texture, particle size, and color in top soils (such as clay, loam or potting soil, and sand).

S3E1d. Determine how water and wind can change rocks and soil over time using observation and research.