Grade 3, Unit 4: Soils in the Environment (Ontario Science)

The Grade 3: Soils in the Environment activity packet is aligned with the 2009 Ontario Science curriculum expectations. This packet has students explore what soil is, the importance of soil and what soils acts as a base for. In this unit, students explore the composition of soil, and how soil is made up of living and non-living things and earth materials. Students also explore how there are different types of soil, and what the characteristics of soil types are. Students will explore sandy soil, loam soil, and clay soil.

Overall Expectations:
- Assess the impact of soils on society and the environment, and of society and the environment on soils.
- Investigate the composition and characteristics of different soils.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the composition of soils, the types of soils, and the relationship between soils and other living things.

Lessons:
There are 18 full-length lesson plans in this packet. Each lesson is accompanied by a 1 page spread identifying the introduction, core learning activity and the consolidation.
Lesson 4.1: Introducing the Unit
Lesson 4.2: What's in Soil?
Lesson 4.3: What's in Soil?
Lesson 4.4: Types of Soil
Lesson 4.5: Components of Soil
Lesson 4.6: Exploring Types of Soil
Lesson 4.7: Soil Jars
Lesson 4.8: Layers of Soil
Lesson 4.9: Uses of Soil
Lesson 4.10: Soil Drainage
Lesson 4.11: Living and Non-Living Things
Lesson 4.12: Plants and Soils
Lesson 4.13: Sustaining Life
Lesson 4.14: Composting
Lesson 4.15: Soils and the Environment
Lesson 4.16: Humans and Soil
Lesson 4.17: Humans and Soil
Lesson 4.18: Final Assignment

Activities, Readings and Assignments:
This packet includes 30 activities, 10 rubrics, 9 readings and 2 assignments.

Assignment 4.1: Final Assignment
Assignment 4.2: Reflection Journal

There are also 4 exit cards and 2 checklists presented in this packet.

Answer Keys:
Please note that there are no answer keys provided in this packet. Student responses are based on the information they have researched, and any information needed for the responses can be found in readings and on supplemental websites. There is no quiz or test presented in this packet. Students demonstrate their understanding in other ways.

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