Soil samples
Goal 1: Examine the observable properties of man-made and natural objects, using their multi-sensory abilities.
Materials: containers for gathering soil samples, trowels for digging, plastic wrap, magnifying glasses, pots and molds, water glasses, water pitcher, quickly sprouting seeds, paper, markers.
Procedure: Help children gather a number of kinds of soil samples--such as sand, gravel, clay, and loam--placing each sample in a different container and covering with plastic wrap to retain moisture. Before the soil samples have time to dry out, place them on separate sheets of paper for examination (Note: Working with small groups of children is recommended so that subtle changes can easily be observed.)
To Simplify: Invite the children to use magnifying glasses to observe differences in the samples. Have the children rub the samples between their thumb and forefinger to note differences in texture. Ask them to smell the samples to detect any differences in smell. Provide a number of pots and molds and suggest that they try to hold together better than others and why this might be so.
To Extend: Examine the various samples to determine how much air they contain by filling separate water glasses with each of the soil samples and leaving some room at the top to add water. Slowly pour in water form the water pitcher and watch as it soaks in and displaces any air, helping the children to note the size and frequency of bubbles. Assign a team of children to each soil sample and have them carefully examine the pile for organic components such as stones, insects, and leaves. Have each team note the kinds of components they find, decide how to record their findings, and then report their findings to other teams. Place samples of each kind of soil in pots. Water to see if any weeds will sprout. Record findings. Place quickly sprouting seeds (one variety) in various samples and have children note which kinds of soil promote the best growth. In another experiment, have children test different growing conditions by altering light, water, and heat (Nickelsburg, 1976).
Materials: containers for gathering soil samples, trowels for digging, plastic wrap, magnifying glasses, pots and molds, water glasses, water pitcher, quickly sprouting seeds, paper, markers.
Procedure: Help children gather a number of kinds of soil samples--such as sand, gravel, clay, and loam--placing each sample in a different container and covering with plastic wrap to retain moisture. Before the soil samples have time to dry out, place them on separate sheets of paper for examination (Note: Working with small groups of children is recommended so that subtle changes can easily be observed.)
To Simplify: Invite the children to use magnifying glasses to observe differences in the samples. Have the children rub the samples between their thumb and forefinger to note differences in texture. Ask them to smell the samples to detect any differences in smell. Provide a number of pots and molds and suggest that they try to hold together better than others and why this might be so.
To Extend: Examine the various samples to determine how much air they contain by filling separate water glasses with each of the soil samples and leaving some room at the top to add water. Slowly pour in water form the water pitcher and watch as it soaks in and displaces any air, helping the children to note the size and frequency of bubbles. Assign a team of children to each soil sample and have them carefully examine the pile for organic components such as stones, insects, and leaves. Have each team note the kinds of components they find, decide how to record their findings, and then report their findings to other teams. Place samples of each kind of soil in pots. Water to see if any weeds will sprout. Record findings. Place quickly sprouting seeds (one variety) in various samples and have children note which kinds of soil promote the best growth. In another experiment, have children test different growing conditions by altering light, water, and heat (Nickelsburg, 1976).
