Science — Grade 3

Savvy Soil

The students will compare and contrast the physical characteristics of three soils: clay, humous, and sand. They will create double bubble maps and list poems about the soils.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Karen Smith.

Soil composition: Then and now

Students will identify the location of the school from the 1926 digitized Soil Sample map using landforms that remain the same and distance scale, determine the type of soil identified during that time, and compare with the types of soil currently found near the school. The comparison should allow the children to determine if the soil content has changed extensively. This plan was developed for use in Nash County, but it is expandable to any county.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Social Studies and Science)

By Nancy Bruner.

Lesson plans on the web

Social trade-offs

The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to make and evaluate decisions by weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative. In the lesson, students practice the skill of decision-making through role-playing. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

What's in soil?

Students will observe the variety of components in local soil and investigate the ways in which soil is formed. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science