Day three will be mainly taken up with a field trip to the neighboring creek. Divide your students into groups of three or four. Hand out the field trip sheet intended for the students to fill out. Divide the groups so that equal amounts of students take samples from:
(a) The bottom of the creek bed (a long shovel may be needed for this)
(b) The middle of the creek bed
(c) At the top of the creek bed
(d) Topsoil that is away from the creek, perhaps closer to the school building
(e) Soil that is 1.5-2 feet down from the surface, away from the creek as well.
After the students have been divided into groups, hand out little/large shovels for the students to
dig with and bags for them to carry their soil samples in. Students may want to use their binders or
clipboards to write on while on the field trip. After the students retrieve their soil sample and answer
question #1, bring students back into the classroom. Students should then fill out the lab assignment
given to them. When the students reach page two (Results, part two) it might be helpful to draw the
chart on the board and fill in the results there so that students will be able to write down the information
more quickly. If there is not time for the students to finish this section, you may want to assign it as
homework.
[PSSAC Home] [Teaching Unit Home] [Day Four Teacher Instructions]