Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.D.1.1.3

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
Questions/activities that grow in complexity
Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Grade Levels

8th Grade

Course, Subject

Science

Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content

S8.D.1.1.3 S8.D.1.1.3

Identify soil types (i.e., humus, topsoil, subsoil, loam, loess, and parent material) and their characteristics (i.e., particle size, porosity, and permeability) found in different biomes and in Pennsylvania, and explain how they formed.

Activities

Soil is made of
1. Minerals
2. Weathered rock that is finely ground
3. A variety of living and dead, decomposing biotic organisms
4. All of the above
Which area has poor soil?
1. Tropical rainforest
2. Temperate forest
3. Grassland
4. All of the above
List the five key factors in the formation of soil.
Complete the chart by providing a description of the composition of each of the soil types.
Predict how the soil in your region was formed.

Answer Key/Rubric

D
A
Acceptable responses might include, but not be limited to:
- Geology
- Climate
- Topography
- Biology
- Time
Acceptable responses might include, but not be limited to:

Answers will vary depending on region of Pennsylvania student resides.