2. Soil By, Mrs. Schuette’s Second Grade Class 2013

3. Topsoil The top layer of soil.

4. Subsoil The layer of soil below the topsoil.

5. A mixture of decaying plants and animals in soil.

6. Gravel A part of soil made up of large sized pieces (smaller than rock).

7. Sand A part of soil made up of medium sized grains (smaller than gravel).

8. Silt A part of soil made up of small sized grains (smaller than sand).

9. Clay A part of soil made up of very small grains.

10. Loam A mixture of clay, silt, and sand.

11. Compos t A mixture of decayed leaves, vegetables, and other plant materials.

12. Organism A living thing.

13. Decomposers Tiny organisms in the soil that help break it down.

14. Decay The process by which dead material breaks down (rot).

15. Nutrients Materials that plants and animals need to live and grow.

16. Organic Anything that does come from living things.

17. Inorganic Anything that does not come from living things.

18. Erosion The wearing away of rock or soil.

19. Weathering The breaking down of rocks.

20. The End!