Grade 3 

3ES - Earth Systems

Curricular Highlights

• Guiding Question: What visible changes can be identified by examining Earth’s surface?

• Grade: 3

• Categories: Living Systems, Scientific Methods

Students investigate soil as the continuously changing upper layer of Earth’s surface. They discover that soil is more than dirt: it is a mixture of rock particles, air, water, living organisms, and decaying matter.

Through hands-on investigation centers, students examine different soil samples with their senses and scientific tools. They separate and identify soil components, compare particle sizes and textures, look for evidence of air and water, and observe how worms and plant roots influence soil.

Students record observations in a science journal and use evidence to explain how soil changes over time. The class also conducts a simple investigation comparing bare soil with soil protected by plants or roots to see how plants can affect movement of soil by water. Students record their observations in an observation journal and receive a kokedama to take home.

Duration: 90min

Volunteers: 

Teacher Provides: Pencils, crayons or colour pencils, hand wash station, tables for activity stations

Take Home: Kokedama and observation journal