What is Soil?
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Objective
Identify the living and non-living components of soil, and describe the characteristics of healthy soil.
Part 1 of 4
Warm-up video
SciShow Kids · 6:46Vetted channel
We don't generate video — this one is by SciShow Kids on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 4
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
Scientists call the dirt in our gardens "soil", and it’s home to many living things, including earthworms that help plants get air and food.
- 2
Soil is a mixture of water, small pieces of rock, and air, and it has a lot of organic matter, which is anything that was once alive or is currently alive.
- 3
Decomposers in the soil break down dead plants and animals, acting like recyclers, and they serve as an important source of food for critters like worms and tardigrades.
Part 3 of 4
Practice
9 questions
What are the two main categories of components found in soil?
Name three non-living components of soil.
Part 4 of 4
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Name three living and three non-living components of healthy soil.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
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Teacher Guide
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