Draw this pie chart

describing the composition of loam found in Smyrna. Question: How much of this loam is composed of decayed organic matter?

• MYP Unit Question: How does land change?

• Area of Interaction: Environment

Surroundings, location

What does this mean?

• • Learner Profile: Caring and Principled

What does this mean?

Honorable, Ethical, Righteous, Moral

Learning Target: I’m learning about soil because our survival depends on it.

• Work Session: Soil Horizon Foldable

Standard S6E5. Investigate the scientific view of how the Earth’s surface is formed.

d. Describe soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed

(decayed)

organic material.

Essential Question: Why do soil horizons form the way they do?

• • • • •

Activator: What is soil anyway?

Equipment Manager – quietly get a bin off the counter Recorder – make a chart similar to the one below 1. Bedrock

Material

2. Clay 3. Sand

Descriptions

4. Humus (Loam) 5. Task Manager – keep track of the time

(10 minutes?)

Directions: Feel each of the different types of soil.

As a group, use visual terms and describe each one.

Equipment Manager * Return a “clean” bin to the counter.

* Delegate someone to clean up the table.

How does soil form?

It takes a long time for soil to form. Soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on the surface. Soil is constantly being formed every time bedrock is exposed. Over time, soil develops layers. We call these layers horizons.

There are 3 major horizon layers: Horizons A B C

•

Horizon A

Horizon A is made up of topsoil. Topsoil is a crumbly, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay, and other minerals.

Horizon B

The B horizon is called subsoil. Subsoil consists of clay and other particles that have washed down from horizon A.

Horizon C

The first soil horizon to form from the weathering of bedrock is the C horizon. The C horizon contains only partly weathered rocks. Below the C horizon is where you will find bedrock.

Soil Horizons Foldable—

1) Color your “Horizon” 2) Glue into IAN 3) Write the definition for each horizon use page 290 in text.

•

• Each state in the United States has selected a state soil, twenty of which have been legislatively established. These “Official State Soils” share the same level of distinction as official state flowers and birds.

• The state soil is a soil that has special significance to a particular state. Areas with similar soils are grouped and labeled as soil series because their similar origins, chemical, and physical properties cause the soils to perform similarly for land use purposes. A soil series name generally is derived from a town or landmark in or near the area where the soil was first recognized.