If you scoop up a shovel full of soil on Cape Cod, it will be full of sand. Scoop it up in Georgia, and it will be full of clay. Your backyard soil may have bits of leaves and grass in it. Everywhere you go, soil has its own character — but it’s all soil. Is there a way to think about soil no matter where we find it?

In this investigation, students observe two soil samples, one sandy and one more organic, and then compare their properties in a Venn diagram. They try to identify components of the soils, and consider the "empty" spaces between grains. They ponder where soil comes from and learn about weathering.

By the end of this investigation, students will understand that all soils are made up of small grains of minerals and or organic matter; and the spaces between the grains, hold air and or water.

Learning Goals

• Identify the components of soils
• Understand the meaning of parent material and organic matter

Sequence of experiences
1. Ask the question	Small Groups	5 Mins
2. Explore the soil samples	Small Groups	15 Mins
3. Share the data	All Class	10 Mins
4. Make meaning	Discussion	15 Mins

Materials and Preparation

Prepare two types of soil mix:

• Mix approximately 200cc of organic soil with approximately 100cc of sand. Put approximately 50cc of the mix into 6 capped containers; label these "A."
• Put approximately 50cc of the organic soil into each of 6 capped containers; label these "B."

For the class:

• Post the investigation question in a place where all students can see it.
• Prepare a large, blank Venn diagram for recording students' data; an example appears in Step 3.

For each tray:

• 1 container of the sandy soil mix "A"
• 1 container of the organic soil "B"
• 1 plate with 8 mineral samples: quartz, mica, biotite, feldspar, halite, hematite, talc, and graphite; this set of minerals was also used in the last investigation
• clear tape
• 2 spoons
• 4 magnifying glasses
• 4 plates