Lesson Plan Objective Soil Drip Lab

Soil Drip Lab
By Amy Hawkins
Click here to see Mrs. Hawkins' Lesson Introduction

In the Limelight LoTi Teachers Website

4th5th

Science Experiment to measure soil water capacity.

Targetted TAKS Objectives:
(1)  Scientific processes. The student conducts field and laboratory investigations following home and school safety procedures and environmentally appropriate and ethical practices. The student is expected to:
(A)  demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations; and
(B)  make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials.
(4)  Scientific processes. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:
(A)  collect and analyze information using tools including calculators, safety goggles, microscopes, cameras, sound recorders, computers, hand lenses, rulers, thermometers, meter sticks, timing devices, balances, and compasses; and
(B)  demonstrate that repeated investigations may increase the reliability of results.
10)  Science concepts. The student knows that certain past events affect present and future events. The student is expected to:
(A)  identify and observe effects of events that require time for changes to be noticeable including growth, erosion, dissolving, weathering, and flow;

Essential/Engaging Questions
What type of soil do you have at your house?
What happens when it rains really hard? Does the water wash away, stand, soaks in quickly?
What type of soil soaks up water the best?
What type of soil washes the soil away the most?

What could you do to help a member of your family or friends help keep their soil from washing away?

Process Skills
Observation
Collection of Information
Drawing Conclusions
Comparing
Interpreting Information
Presentation of Information

Bloom's Taxonomy

Knowledge	Comprehension	Application
Analysis	Synthesis	Evaluation

Description of activities that support the Bloom's level
Knowledge-Learn basic info about soil types
Comprehension- Report results in graph
Application- Interpret results from data chart and graph
Analysis-Conduct experiment
Synthesis-Create graph based on results
Evaluation-Evaluate the results of the experiment and share results.

Other Activities
Observing soil textures.
Day 1-Using the Scientific Process, the students will conduct drip lab in science lab. Students hypothesize which soil type will retain the most water and which will expel the most water. Students will test their hypothesis after constructing the lab.
You need 4 soil types, sand, black dirt, clay and potting soil. Set up the experiment using 4 large cups and 4 small cups, 16 toothpicks, graduated cylinder and water.
Put equal amounts of each type of soil into the smaller cups. Insert 4 toothpicks into top edge of the smaller cup. Suspend the smaller cup filled with each type of soil over the larger cup.
Pour 30 ml of water into each small cup. Let drain for ten minutes. Remove small cups and measure the amount of water that drained from each soil type. Calculate the amount of water that was retained in each soil type. The students are to record results from experiment on data sheet. Students need to examine and analyze the results from the experiment. Using their findings, students need to communicate results to the rest of the class.

Day 2- Using the information from the data sheet on Drip labs, students need to input information into graphing program to create a bar graph. www.createagraph.com
Students need to use correct rules in constructing the graph.
Students need to write a conclusion to experiment using results from the data sheet and graph.

Technology Applications
Online graphing program
www.Createagraph.com

Develop a Power Point and a video presentation to present to the PTA about improving the school yard based on soil type and plant life.

Resources
Background information about soil types from textbook and resource books.
4 Small cups, 4 large cups, sand, black dirt, clay, potting soil, toothpicks, graduated cylinder, water, timer, data sheet, computer, graphing program

Differentiation

Description of the differentiation activity
Students input science lab data into their own data sheet and later create their own graph.
Group students according to strenghts and weaknesses. Use peer mentoring to help students with difficulties.

Culminating Performance Task
Conduct investigation
Using the information from the data sheet on Drip labs, students need to input information into graphing program to create a bar graph. (www.createagraph.com)
Students need to use correct rules in constructing the graph.
Students need to write a conclusion to experiment using results from the data sheet and graph.
Students develop a plan for improving the school playground based on soil type and plants. Or improve their own yard at home.

Complex Thinking Strategies

Problem Solving	Decision Making
Creative Problem Solving	Investigation
Experimental Query	Reasoning

Assessments
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1209823&