Soil Habitats
Life Science
Grades 2-3 | 40 sessions
Students learn about decomposition, plant and animal adaptations, habitats, and the properties of soil. They also learn to make predictions, pose questions, use text features as they read, and to write descriptions and scientific explanations. They learn and use scientific vocabulary, for example, organism, adaptation, evidence, and observation.
Approach
Do it:
Students engage in hands-on activities, such as setting up their own terrariums and observing earthworms. Students also plan and conduct their own investigations.
Talk it:
Students are provided with many opportunities for small group discussions to help them make sense of science ideas. For example, students debate which soil organisms are best suited to escape predators, and present the results of their investigations to the class.
Read it:
Students read science nine science books, including Earthworms Underground, about how earthworms are adapted to live underground. Students use comprehension strategies such as posing questions, and learn how to navigate informational text
Write it:
Students write descriptions and scientific explanations. Throughout the unit, students write to record observations and reflect on their learning, including writing an informational page about earthworm adaptations.
Student Books
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Into the Soil -
Walk in the Woods -
What Are Roots? -
Talking with a Habitat Scientist -
The Handbook of Forest Floor Animals -
Earthworms Underground -
My Nature Notebook -
Snail Investigations -
Without Soil
Learning Goals
| Science | Literacy |
|---|---|
Science Knowledge
Science Inquiry
Nature and Practices of Science
|
Reading
Writing
Listening/Speaking
|
Science Content
The Soil Habitats unit teaches important earth science and life science concepts, as students investigate soil and the organisms that live in soil.
Properties of earth materials: Students learn that soil is an earth material, made of living and non-living materials such as rocks, plant parts, plants and animals, water, and air. Different soils have different properties such as how much water they can hold. Soil covers much of the land on Earth and is an important resource for living things. Living things also contribute to the soil: the nutrients in soil come from living things, plant roots help hold soil in place, and animals in soil help loosen soil and keep air in soil.
Decomposition: Decomposition is the process by which material from living things decays. Small organisms called decomposers, including earthworms, isopods (potato bugs) and bacteria, help decompose dead plants and animals. As dead plants and animals, fallen plant parts, and animal droppings decompose, they become part of the soil.
Plant and animal adaptations: Adaptations are behaviors and body parts that help living things survive in their habitats. Students learn about plant adaptations, especially different kinds of roots. Students learn about the adaptations of soil animals, especially earthworms and isopods.
Organisms and habitats: An organism’s habitat includes the place where the organism lives and everything the organism needs to survive. An organism’s habitat also includes the other organisms living there. Organisms can survive only in habitats where they can meet their basic needs, including food, water, moisture, and light. Students learn about soil organisms and their habitats.
