What soils are made from
I can explain what soil is and what soils are made from.
What soils are made from
I can explain what soil is and what soils are made from.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land. The creation of soils occurs over many, many years.
- We can make predictions to share our scientific ideas about what we think will happen or how something might work.
- Scientists make careful observations to answer questions.
- Soils are a combination of different things, including rock, organic matter and air.
Keywords
Soil - Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land on Earth.
Prediction - A prediction is a statement saying what you think will happen.
Observation - We make an observation when we look closely at something and use other senses too.
Silt - Silt is made from broken grains of rock, with particles larger than clay but smaller than sand.
Organic matter - Organic matter comes from plants and animals that are alive or were once alive.
Common misconception
Children may think that soil is any dirt on the ground, or that soil was created when Earth was created. They may also think that plants make soil.
The activity to separate layers of soil in water allows children to make their own observations of what soil is made from.
To help you plan your year 3 science lesson on: What soils are made from, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 science lesson on: What soils are made from, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Rocks and soils unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Sample of soil, clear jar, water, tablespoon - see additional materials for further guidance.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
