Lesson 4th Grade 04/15

HISD 4th Grade Science
Earth Systems

M3 L14
April 15, 2024

14

LO: SWBAT examine soil properties to
evaluate a soil’s suitability for growing rice.

DOL: Given a problem, SW correctly
describe soil properties in at least 2 of 3
questions.

Earth Systems

SCI.4.7A Examine properties of soils, including color and texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of plants.

15

Essential Understandings &

Guiding Questions

Which location in Colorado County is more

suitable for growing rice?

Open Ended

Which location in Colorado County is more suitable for growing rice?

16

Lesson Vocabulary

soil

11

17

What have we learned from our data

analysis about Colorado County’s

suitability for growing rice?

In what ways can

soil vary from
one location to

another?

Open Ended

What have we learned from our data analysis about Colorado County’s suitability for growing rice?

Open Ended

In what ways can soil vary from one location to another?

19

How are the soil at Site 1 and Site 2 similar

and different?

Open Ended

How are the soil at Site 1 and Site 2 similar and different?

18

What do you notice?

​Complete your packet

Open Ended

What do you notice?

28

They both have decomposed plants and animals on

the surface.

They both have dark topsoil. The deeper soil looks

lighter.

Has sand particles in all the
layers.

Soil has a soft, brownish yellow
subsoil layer.

The texture of the soil is crumbly,
soft, not sticky, and unable to hold
its shape.

The color of the soil is mostly
brown and brownish yellow.

Clay particles in all the layers.

Soil has a very firm, dark gray
subsoil layer.

The texture of the soil is hard,
firm, sticky, and able to hold its
shape.

The color of the soil is mostly
dark gray.

How can you apply

your learning to

determine which site
will keep water from

seeping deep into

the ground?

Do you have enough
evidence to identify
either sandy soil or

clay soil as more

suitable for growing

rice?

​Examples of answers of packet

Open Ended

How can you apply your learning to determine which site will keep water from seeping deep into the ground?

Open Ended

Do you have enough evidence to identify either sandy soil or clay soil as more suitable for growing rice?

20

What do you notice about these layers?

How do decomposed plants and animals support the growth of
plants?

Open Ended

What do you notice about these layers?

Open Ended

How do decomposed plants and animals support the growth of
plants?

21

What conclusions
can you draw about
the nutrients in the
soils at Site 1 and
Site 2?

How do the soil
nutrient levels
compare between
Bali and the two
locations in
Colorado County?

Open Ended

What conclusions
can you draw about
the nutrients in the
soils at Site 1 and
Site 2?

Open Ended

How do the soil
nutrient levels
compare between
Bali and the two
locations in
Colorado County?

22

Suitable Soil
Soil can keep the rice
paddies flooded.

Water __________ in soil help plants grow even when
there is no rain for a long period of time.
The particle size distribution of soils or soil ________ is
one of the two main drivers of the water holding capacity
of soils. Water is also kept by _____ organic matter.
Compacted soils or those poor in soil organic matter can
hold less water.

Word Bank

humus sand soil texture animals silt allows retention clay

Soil

The best kind of soil for plants _______ water to move
through slowly enough so that some of it stays in the soil
for the plants to use.
Water moves too quickly through ______ . It moves very
slowly through _____ , but clay holds the water so tightly
that plants can’t get to it.

Word Bank

humus sand soil texture animals silt allow retention clay

Clay
Sand

Soil that is good for plants has a mixture of sand, ___,
clay, and organic material, or humus.
______ acts like a sponge to help the soil capture water.
Humus is formed when plants and _______ die.

Word Bank

humus sand soil texture animals silt allows retention clay

Humus

26

A group of students measured how much water is held by different soil types.
Each pot has 100 milliliters of water poured into it. Based on the table, what
conclusions can you draw about the different materials and their ability to
retain water?

Material

Water

Drained Out

(mL)

Clay

30

Gravel

90

Sand

40

Potting Soil

25

27

29

DOL: Given a
problem, SW
correctly describe
soil properties in
at least 2 of 3
questions.

30

Demonstration of Learning

Open Ended

Do you think the materials in soil would affect how the soil retains water? Why or why not? 

Multiple Choice

Maddison is designing an experiment to test which soil is best for growing tomato plants. Which of the following properties is the most important for her to examine?

• Color of soil

• Smell of the soil

• How fast the soil erodes

• How the soil holds water