Lessons and Resources for Teaching About Soils
The theme of the 2022 Kentucky Conservation Writing and Jim Claypool Art Contest is soil. The student guide, Take a Hike - Navigating the Trail, provides such wonderful information, but here are some additional lessons and resources about this essential natural resource.
The Dirt on Soil
Primary and Intermediate: Students will learn how soil is the foundation of food and other materials that help people live. They will also learn the components of soil, uses and properties, and describe the role soil plays in a healthy ecosystem.
How Do Farmers Reduce Erosion?
Grades 4+: This Google Slide presentation focuses on how Kentucky farmers control soil erosion, as soil is one of our most precious resources for food production. The last slide provides a video demo of how different soil coverings impact how much soil washes away during a rain storm.
The Food Formula
Intermediate: Students will investigate what soil types are best for a given crop.
Protecting Resources on the Farm
Intermediate & Secondary: Students will learn how farmers use conservation practices to protect soil and water resources.
Read about Kentucky farmers who were honored for their conservation practices.
Living Soil Film and Lessons
Secondary: This 60-minute documentary features innovative farmers and soil health experts from throughout the U.S. Accompanying lesson plans for college and high school students . "Living Soil" was directed by Chelsea Myers and Tiny Attic Productions based in Columbia, Missouri, and produced by the Soil Health Institute through the generous support of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
The film is freely available to download and stream at www.soilhealthinstitute.org/livingsoil.
The following are links to playlists from the International Year of Soils (2015).
Each has a different video for each month.