Dirt: Soil Secrets - Science Unit Study
Soil Science for Kids - Layers of Soil
Investigate the many layers of soil, learn how soil is formed, and all about different types of soil with Dirt: Soil Secrets, a cross-curricular science unit study. This homeschool unit is the perfect way to introduce kids to environmental science and explore the wonders of the natural world. Dirt: Soil Secrets can be used for two weeks or more as a secular homeschool unit study for a wide range of ages - perfect for family-style homeschooling. Young gardeners, naturalists, and scientists will explore the mysteries of the soil, including how it changes over time. Kids will learn about soil layers and types with soil experiments and STEAM activities that encourage hands-on open-ended exploration. Project-based learning activities will help kids model the layers of soil and assess soil to determine its properties. Learn about soil type with a real test used by farmers and soil scientists, which also explores the concept of density. These hands-on soil science activities are ideal for elementary students through middle school. Buried Life, Buried History mini-studies provide an option to delve into paleontology or archeology. Take it further researching the connection between soil type and biomes with a geography project for older children. Explore soil in stories and mythology with a language arts extension. Though this study guide is effective on its own, this unit is also the third in a four unit course all about the science of soil.
In this adventure, kids will explore:
What are the layers of soil?
How is soil formed?
What does soil tell us about the past?
What are the main types of soil?
What does soil type have to do with biomes?
Secular Homeschool Science Curriculum
NorthStar’s unit study guides can be combined to form a stand-alone secular science curriculum, as STEAM lesson plans, or as a homeschool unit study to bring variety and enhance the science curriculum of your choice. Dirt: Soil Secrets was designed with homeschool families in mind, but it is equally as useful for classrooms, cooperatives, afterschool programs, and science clubs. The flexible unit study plan encourages child-led learning with inquiry and discovery at the core of the activity design. Adults will love the clearly laid out activity guides, easy-to-use graphic organization, integrated math and literacy activities, and cross-curricular extensions. Kids will love the hands-on fun STEAM activities, engaging books, visual learning and media options, and so much more!
This 31-page guide is packed full of easy fun STEAM activities for elementary kids:
2 main hands-on STEAM projects for elementary and middle school students ages 5-12 with detailed how-tos, troubleshooting, supply lists, and information about the science
Play-based math and literacy activities integrated into core projects
Big ideas prep adults with the main concepts including how soil is formed, what are the layers of soil and the main categories of soil
Curious questions prompt inquiry-based learning for deep science exploration and discovery
11 carefully selected living book recommendations - Excellent book selections that bring challenging ideas with a compelling narrative and imagery (books are not required to complete the study)
Kid-approved media recommendations to explain how important soil is to our environment
2 mini-studies to provide cross-curricular connections with the topic
1 storytelling prompt to engage the imagination of young writers.
5 literature prompts to pair with optional language arts exploration, Holes by Louis Sachar for older readers or a myth selected for younger learners.
Engaging “Great Quotes” copywork selection with teaching notes with mini-poster of poem included to encourage multi-sensory writing alternatives.
Notebooking activities and templates - kids will make a “Discovery Journal” to track and reflect on learning
Level indicators to make it easy to select activities or differentiate for the ages of your learners - from preschool through elementary with advanced topics for older learners.
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The NorthStar Approach - A Learning Adventure
Engage: Great books and media recommendations help teach the big ideas.
Explore: Hands-on science explorations, process art, food fun, and more provide multi-sensory learning experiences to deepen understanding.
Express: Children are encouraged to track their observations in their Discovery Journal and to reflect about their key discoveries at the end of their studies.
Extend: Children are encouraged to take it further with resources to deepen learning about the topic and additional project ideas. Each lab includes optional cross-curricular extensions, including math and literacy activities with poetry copy work, wordplay, math fun, and story starters.
Praise for “Dirt”
“The entire unit plan is easy to follow - with sections like Big Ideas/Read/Watch. I love the simplicity of learn something, read something, watch something and then make something….It is also really flexible too as a family can do every part or skip around based on what time they have/hands on parent they have…The language in the unit is friendly - as a teacher I have found the importance of friendly and inviting language but now as a parent/homeschool parent, it instantly puts you at ease. From the opening activity of “Map Your Own Route” to “Wonderful Words” and then the connotation behind “painting, pudding, play.” Any child would want to do this. “ - L. Engstrom, homeschool mom and former teacher
“I like how it flows…and I love how you integrate art, the interactive painting and getting really into the mud, this is EXCELLENT” - J Perez, homeschool mom and artist
Explore All Products in the Dirt Unit Study Series
Want to learn more about soil? Check out Losing Ground, the next unit in the series! Or plan a grand learning adventure with Dirt - a full 2 months (or more) of cross-curricular science fun!
