1. How can we take care of the soil? What happens if we don’t?
Get out your notebook and title the next free sheet “Soil Conservation”. Then Think-Pair-Share on the following questions:
How can we take care of the soil? What happens if we don’t?

2. Why should we care?
The environment may contain dangerous levels of substances that are harmful to human beings.
Good health of individuals requires monitoring the soil, air, and water and taking steps to make these factors safe for all organisms.

3. The Dust Bowl What do you know about it?

4. Dust Bowl Questions
1. Describe what it must have been like to live through the Dust Bowl. 2. The Dust Bowl happened because of a combination of conditions. What three things contributed to the Dust Bowl? 3. Which of the following things would help to prevent another Dust Bowl? Next to each item below, explain how it would help or not help the situation. A. Keep soils wet B. Listen to weather reports C. Plant trees to block wind (wind break) D. Plant more native plants (plants used to growing there) 4. Do you think the Dust Bowl could happen again? Why or why not?

5. Soil Erosion
The wearing away of soil
Loss of soil
Look for “movement”

6. Natural Causes of Soil Erosion:
Wind
Water (rain)
Gravity (hills, mountains)
Ice (glaciers, cold temperatures)
Plants (roots and chemicals)

7. Human Causes of Soil Erosion:
Farming
Mining
Construction

8. Severe weather speeds up soil erosion!
Storms
Tornados
Floods

9. Helpful Practices (Soil Conservation): Protect and save the soil.
Activity
Description
Sketch   

10. Soil Conservation: Ways to preserve (or save) the soil
Soil Stewardship: being a “friend” to soil, a person who practices soil protection and/or prevents soil erosion

11. 1. Crop Rotation
Planting different crops on the same field in different years

12. 2. Conservation Tillage
Reducing the number of times fields are tilled, or plowed, in a year

13. 3. Terraces
Flat, step-like areas built on a hillside to prevent rainwater from running downhill

14. 4. Contour Plowing
Plowing along curves or contours of a slope to prevent water from running straight downhill

15. 5. Wind Breaks
Rows of trees between fields to “break” or reduce the force of winds.

16. Technology
Technology, such as remote sensing: study the human impact on soil quality and erosion processes so that the soil can be protected and preserved.
Over time, remote sensing information can tell us how humans are constantly changing the surface of the Earth and what impact these changes are likely to produce.
Technologies can also assist in finding ways to help prevent erosion.

17. Summing it up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSRmFSKBypI#t=381
And conclusion from above

18. Review Why is soil a necessary resource?
It sustains life by supporting plant growth, purifying water, and recycling nutrients.
How do land-use practices in farming, construction and development, and mining affect soil?
These practices can result in the removal of plants and soil.

19. Today we will be finding solutions to different soil scenarios
Today we will be finding solutions to different soil scenarios. Get the sheet from the front and write your name on it. You may need colored pencils today. Answer these questions with your table:
How does soil quality affect humans and humans affect soil quality?
What makes some soil better for growing plants or food than others?
What can we do to help maintain the quality of our soils?
Q: What makes some soil better for growing plants or food than others?
A: Answers will vary, but students should mention loam, a mixture of sand, silt, and clay and the soil’s organic composition of root systems, bacteria and fungi, small insects and invertebrates, nutrient cycling, and natural and chemical fertilization.
What can we do to help maintain the quality of our soils?
Answer: We can make sure that soil is covered in plants to prevent erosion. We can also be sure not to litter or place dangerous chemicals in the soil. Farmers can rotate crops to replenish nutrients and can limit the amounts of dangerous chemicals that they use. Factories can take measures to reduce soil pollution.

20. Scenario One
A farmer notices that his crops are being destroyed by wind. They are starting to lean to one side, and the soil is blowing across the field. What can he do to better conserve the soil? Explain and draw a picture.

21. Scenario Two
A neighbor of yours is getting ready to plant a garden of flowers in her backyard. She asks you for ideas on how to conserve the soil. You notice that her backyard has a lot of hills. What do you suggest? Explain and draw a picture.

22. Scenario Three
Your parents decide to put mulch (shredded bark) around the trees in your yard. Each time it rains, you notice the amount of mulch decreasing. Why is this? What do you tell your parents to prevent this from happening? Explain and draw a picture.

23. Scenario Four:
Your uncle has had a farm for 20 years. Each year he plants potatoes on the left field. This year, half of his potatoes have died. What should he do next year? Explain and draw a picture.

24. Scenario Five:
You have an empty lot next to your house. A kid in the neighborhood has a dirt bike he rides in the empty lot every day after school. You have noticed that the soil in the lot has begun washing away during heavy rain. What could you do to prevent this from happening? Explain and draw a picture.

25. Scenario Six
You live in a house that has a long, steep driveway. Your dad planted flowers beside the driveway. However, each time it rains, the soil runs down the hill. What should he do? Explain and draw a picture.

26. Scenario Seven:
Scenario Seven: Your grandparents are farmers. You hear them complaining about how their crops are not doing well. You know that we have had the same rainfall amount as last year. What might they need to do to improve the crops next year? Explain and draw a picture.

27. Scenario Eight:
Scenario Eight: You live in an area with high winds. You have a small vegetable garden by the side of your apartment. When the wind starts blowing, the dirt and the plants start blowing around the neighborhood. What could you do to protect your garden? Explain and draw a picture.

28. Unit Review:

29. Soil Conservation Examples
Start at one of the four tables with your partner
Read the scenario of erosion.
With your partner, decide on a solution to the problem.
Fill in the table with the problem and the solution.

30. Scenario Solutions
Scenario #
Description of problem
Possible Solution

31. Get out your study guide and continue working on the problems independently. Test Friday BYOD tomorrow

32. Today is test day! Please grab the scantron from the front and fill out the info. Set up your fort. You may write on your test as well – make sure your name is on it! Have something to do when you are done. (BOOK TO READ)