Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Curriculum Organizing Questions	What is soil? What is soil made of? What are some properties of soil we can test? How are soils different? How is soil formed?
Elaboration	Students need opportunities to observe different types of soil and test soil for different sediment sizes, mineral composition, porosity and fertility. They need to understand the processes of weathering, erosion and sedimentation.
Specific Ideas	Soil consists of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material from dead plants, animals, and bacteria. Soils are often found in layers, with each having a different chemical composition and texture. NSES 5-8/D1e Although weathered rock is the basic component of soil, the composition and texture of soil and its fertility and resistence to erosion are greatly influenced by plant roots and debris, bacteria, fungi, worms, insects, rodents, and other organisms. Benchmarks 4C
Developmental & Instructional Implications	It is especially important that students come to understand how sedimentary rock is formed periodically, embedding plant and animal remains and leaving a record of the sequence in which the plants and animals appeared and disappeared. The process of sedimentation is understandable and observable. But imagining the span of geologic time will be difficult for students. Benchmarks p. 73
Examples	Collect and analyze different soil samples from different places in the community.