Where
Do
Rocks Come From?
An Ant's Eye View of Dirt
Question
What does dirt look like?
Setting the Stage
. A day or two before doing this activity,
.
.
ask students to bring two tablespoons (30 g) of dirt from
their own yards. Give each student a ziplock baggy with their names on them for their
specimens.
Discuss what dirt (soil) is with students.
Tell students they will be collecting and examining dirt samples from the school yard.
Materials Needed for Each Individual
o small ziplock baggy
o magnifying lens
o data-capture sheets (pages 14-15)
Note to the teacher: Samples of dirt from
school and students' homes will be collected
and examined to see what living and
nonliving things are found. This activity is
related to the one which follows: "Let's Eat
Dirt. "
Procedure
1. Divide students into groups of four.
2. Take students into the school yard to find different types of dirt samples. Iook for a variety of
3.
areas to dig up samples, such as a grass area, a field of native plants, and a sand box.
Dig into the ground carefully to avoid damaging the site. Show students the nonliving and
tlingt foundln
4,
5.
6.
living
each sample.
Have students place samples of dirt from each area in separate ziplock baggies. On the baggy
have them mark the location of the area from which the sample was taken.
Have students take the samples back into the classroom to examine with magnifying lenses.
Have them record the information on their data-capture sheets.
Have students discuss with their group members the types of living and nonliving materials found
in the dirt.
Extensions
.
.
Have a class discussion about the most interesting living and nonliving materials they found in
the dirt.
Have students do research on different soil types. Then report their findings back to the class.
Closure
In their rocks and minerals journals, have students write a story and include drawings to describe
how they think dirt is made, what lives in it, and where it is found.
@1994 Teacher Created Materials. fnc.
13
#636 Rocl<s and Minerals
Where
Do
Rocks Come From?
An Ant's Eye View of Dirt
@ont)
Fill in the inforrnation needed below.
Name:
Date:
Dirt Specimen #3:
Location:
Color:
Smell:
Feel:
Living Things:
Nonliving Things:
Sample #3
Name:
Date:
Dirt Specimen #4:
Location:
Color:
Smell:
Feel:
Living Things:
Nonliving Things:
Sample #4
@1994 Teacher Created Materials. fnc.
15
#636 Rocks and Minerals
7
Where
Do Rocks Come From?
An Ant's Eye View of Dirt
(co,nt)
Fill in the information needed below.
Name:
Date:
Dirt Specimen #1:
Location:
Color:
Smell:
Feel:
Living Things:
Nonliving Things:
Sample
#1
Name:
Date:
Dirt Specimen #2:
Location:
Color:
Smell:
Feel:
Living Things:
Nonliving Things:
Sample #2
#636 Rocla and Minerals
I4
@1994 Teacher Created Materials, Inc.