Introduction
Soil covers a major portion of the earth's land surface. It is an important natural resource that either directly or indirectly supports much of the life on our planet.
Many people do not realize the importance of soil, and seldom think about its conservation. However, soil and its conservation are essential to our lives. Most people realize that they need clean air and water to stay healthy. Not everyone realizes that their way of life also depends on the soil. Soil is necessary the growth of most of our food. Plants are rooted in soil and obtain needed nutrients there.
It acts as a filter, cleaning air and water. Soil takes up organic matter and recycles nutrients back to plants. Soil also holds and breaks down some toxic wastes. Because soil plays such a key role in our lives, we must conserve it and use it in a sustainable manner.
Soil is a mixture of mineral and organic materials plus air and water. The content of soil varies in different locations and is constantly changing. There are many different kinds and types of soils. Different kinds of soils support the growth of different types of plants and also determine how well that plant life grows.
Soil is formed slowly, but can be easily destroyed. Because of this, soil conservation is important for continued support of life as we know it.
Task
You are a soil conservationist. Farmer Tim and his son have called you to help them save their topsoil. Farmer Tim has inherited beautiful land that is very hilly and wide open. He has always wanted to grow crops on his farm but is having a difficult time with soil erosion. Farmer Tim needs your help in controlling the soil erosion on his farm and he wants to teach his middle school son about soil conservation and methods. - Farmer Tim would like to see if you are perfect for the job by having you to write him a report/speech about how soil is conserved and the importance of doing so. You are very knowledgeable in the subject, but you must write that speech so that his middle school son understands what you are saying and realizes the importance of soil conservation.
Process
- Work by yourself
- Research the importance of soil and why it should be conserved
• What is soil conservation 1? - http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/features/?cid=nrcs143_021978
• What is soil conservation 2? - http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/What_Is_Soil_Conservation
• Threats to soil - http://www.soil-net.com/dev/page.cfm?pageid=secondary_threats
• The Dirt on Dirt - http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=27&detID=1206
• Why is soil so important? - http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/why-is-soil-so-important.html
• Research ways soil is lost
• The Dirt on Dirt - http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=27&detID=1206 (scroll down halfway)
• How soil is lost - http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0389e/t0389e02.htm
• Soil erosion and degradation - http://worldwildlife.org/threats/soil-erosion-and-degradation
• How desertification works - http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/conservation/issues/desertification1.h
• Research different types of soil conservation.
• 10 ways to conserve soil - http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/10_Ways_to_Conserve_Soil
• How to conserve soil - http://www.wikihow.com/Conserve-Soil
• An introduction to soil conservation measures - http://www.infonet-biovision.org/default/ct/265/soilManagement
• How to prevent erosion - http://www.crd.bc.ca/watersheds/protection/howtohelp/preventerosion.htm
• 9 inexpensive ways you can prevent erosion - http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/inexpensive-prevent-erosion.htm
• Write the speech
• Paragraph 1 – the importance of soil & conservation
• Paragraph 2 – how soil is lost
• Paragraph 3 - how we can conserve soil
Evaluation
| Expert 25 points |
Skilled 22 points |
Learning 20 points |
Novice 18 points |
Missing 0 points |
|
| Paragraph 1 |
Completely explains the importance of soil. Describes role in food production and of activities necessary for life.
|
Completely explains the importance of soil. Describes role in food production. |
Completely explains the importance of soil. Describes role in food production and of activities necessary for life. |
Description of the importance of soil is incomplete. | Description of the importance of soil is inaccurate or mising. |
| Paragraph 2 |
Describes at least SPECIFIC three ways soil is lost.
|
Describes two SPECIFIC ways soil is lost. | Describes one SPECIFIC way soil is lost. | Description of soil loss is not specific. | Description of soil loss is inaccurate or missing. |
| Paragraph 3 |
Describes at least three SPECIFIC ways to prevent soil loss.
|
Describes two SPECIFIC ways to prevent soil loss. | Describes one SPECIFIC way to prevent soil loss. | Description of soil loss prevention is not specific. | Description of soil loss prevention is inaccurate or missing. |
| Structure & Organization |
Speech is organized with a distinct introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. All thoughts are specific and refer to the topic. All thoughts are elaborated upon and not merely listed. |
Speech is organized into distinct introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. All thoughts are specific and refer to the topic. Two thoughts are elaborated upon and not merely listed. |
Speech is organized into distinct introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. All thoughts are specific and refer to the topic. One thought was elaborated upon and not merely listed. |
Speech is organized all as one paragraph. All thoughts are specific and refer to the topic. Specifics are listed and no elaboration is provided. |
Speech had no attempt at organization, no paragraphs. |
Conclusion
Your soil conservation letter will be on display. Please do your best. You may add graphics or drawings to your report. Your report must be typed and can include graphics. Once you finish please input your finshed report into Edmodo. The user name and password for edmodo should be your lunch number. Make sure you complete a paper draft in the event you have difficulty with edmodo.