Unit 1: Introduction to Soils and Society

By the end of this unit, students will:

• List and discuss several interdisciplinary societal issues where soil characteristics play an important role in society
• Describe several instances in which the science of soil is relevant to their lives
• Create an Earth systems concept map

This unit is designed for elementary education pre-service teaching majors in an undergraduate or graduate level science teaching methods course. It could be easily modified for non-teaching students by altering questions that refer to teachers or future classrooms/students. The unit takes approximately 180 minutes (three hours) to complete and is presented in two parts that may be completed in two separate class sessions—with homework assignments for each—or in a single 2–3 hour lab session. In addition, the homework could be integrated as in-class activities if time is available.

No previous knowledge or experience working with soils (or significant background science knowledge) is assumed.

Part I - Relevance, the Kit, and the Challenges (60 ~ 70 min)

Discussion (20 min)

Begin Unit 1 with a class discussion of scaffolded focus questions designed to progress students from a broad focus on science relevancy to locally important interdisciplinary societal issues in the context of soils.

Focus questions:

• As teachers, why is it important that we make science relevant to our students?
• In the classroom, when have you experienced science as being relevant to you?
• How did a topic's relevance affect how well you learned it?

The purpose of the first three questions is to illuminate that making science relevant improves learning. Read about ways to connect to the world we live in and how that helps learning.

• What are some ways that we can make science relevant to our students?
• What are some locally relevant interdisciplinary societal issues? (Write these on the board.)
  
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  • No societal problems are solved by one individual working independently for years in a lab without sharing his or her ideas. Instead, scientists from many disciplines, politicians, philosophers, writers, and others must work together to tackle challenging issues from many perspectives. Interdisciplinary problems require diverse perspectives that promote understanding of the interactions between Earth and economic, societal, and policy issues.
  • Briefly discuss the definition of interdisciplinary with your students. Highly interdisciplinary issues help to make science relevant by engaging diverse student interests, linking what they learn to what they have experienced, or have interest in. This helps teachers integrate material across disciplines, which is particularly important for elementary school teachers who may be required to apply or align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The Kit (Unit 4) requires that students take an interdisciplinary approach to their focal issue in at least one of their lessons.
  • The purpose of this question is for students to broadly brainstorm locally relevant and interdisciplinary societal issues in order to connect some to soil science. This question is regionally specific and may not directly lead to soils. In agricultural areas, students are likely to mention food production in response to this question, which brings up the topic of soils. If soils is unlikely to come up in your area, prepare leading questions around locally relevant soils-related societal issues (see example homework issues table (Acrobat (PDF) 46kB Jul28 15) for ideas) for the discussion.
  • Learn more about building interdisciplinary connections and interdisciplinary teaching in general.
• How do these societal issues relate to soil science?
• Can you think of other relevant societal issues that studying soils can help us to understand? (Write these on the board as connected to the locally relevant issues.)
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  • This module is about soils within Earth systems, thus it is important to help students connect science relevancy to soils. This focus question can be introduced by discussing that teachers have certain science content that they must include in their curriculum. In this case, our students have to teach about soil science. Therefore, we are now taking time to discuss relevant societal issues in the context of soil science.
  • Many leading questions can be used to help students work through these broad ideas, including: Who studies soil and for what purpose? Are there different types of soil? Which of these differences are important? How do differences relate to science relevancy and the role of science in society?
  • In addition, ask leading questions to further illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of soils, society, and science. For example, if students suggest the issue of food production, ask them to think about the factors related to food production: it is not just a scientific issue, but an economic, political, and cultural phenomena.

Homework (or in-class, depending on the length of the class session) - Connect Soils to Societal Challenges (20 ~ 30 min)

1. Share the Soils and Society Issues Homework Assignment (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 21kB Jan6 16) with the class.
   
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   The homework requires pre-service teachers to focus on one issue that may be used in their Kits and begin to connect this issue to interdisciplinary needs, testable questions about soils, and soils data. Tell the students that they should bring their completed homework to class on the day of Unit 2.
   
   
2. Go back to the class brainstorm list of relevant societal issues around soil. Write the three column headings for the homework table on the board: Local Importance, Broad Importance, Testable Questions.
3. Ask the students to choose one of the issues and complete the table on the board for that issue as a class.
   
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   • When completing the broad importance, introduce the idea of "Grand Challenges" in Earth science. Although numerous grand challenges have been identified (see resources about the importance of teaching about sustainability from InTeGrate), we have focused on the idea of soil as a resource and its effects on natural and agricultural ecosystems, water resources, and environmental stability. Discuss that these issues were identified by many scientists working together to develop a framework for what our future society should know in order to deal with emerging global issues, such as climate change.
   • If necessary, help students assess if their suggested questions are testable. To be consistent with the NGSS model, have the students assess if the question can be answered using an investigation. If they can identify the manipulated variable (or different groups for observational data) and the responding variable that would be tested for a question, then it is likely that it is a testable question.
4. Continue completing the first column of the homework table (local importance) until you have enough issues so that each student (or small groups for a large class) could choose one to research for the homework. Here is an example issues table (Acrobat (PDF) 46kB Jul28 15) that can help you.
5. Allow each student to choose 1-2 issues to research for the homework assignment. They should write these in the homework table. Their research will be discussed at the beginning of Unit 2 and the homework should be completed by that time.

Soils, Systems, and Society Kit Assignments, aka, "the Kit" (20 min)

1. Share the Soils and Society Kit Assignment (Microsoft Word 23kB Jan7 16) with the class.
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   • The major focus and assessment of this module is the Kit assignment, which is detailed in Unit 4. The Kit requires students to construct a standards-based K-8 kit that teaches about a focal societal issue in the context of soils and systems. Introduce this assignment early so that students can relate it to Units 1, 2, and 3 of this module. In addition, introducing the Kit early allows the instructor to continually relate course topics to this assignment over the entire semester.
2. Explain the importance of the assignment.
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   • Teachers often desire (or are required) to create lessons that supplement provided curriculum. The best lessons engage students by making science relevant to their lives and provide deeper learning by integrating science content with inquiry practices and cross-cutting concepts (see NGSS).
3. Briefly discuss the goals and requirements of the assignment.
   
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   • Today's module is meant to introduce the assignment; the instructor will need to spend more time on the details of this assignment after completing Unit 2 and Unit 3. Students will choose a locally and broadly relevant societal issue and then teach about this issue through the context of soils. It is important that the Kit integrates soils content with interdisciplinary Earth systems practices. Specific requirements are listed in the assignment. If possible, use an example kit to briefly illustrate each requirement as it is discussed. Each student or group (if doing the Kit in collaborative groups) should choose their focal issue before Unit 3.

PART II - Systems Thinking and Concept Mapping (60 ~ 90 min)

Systems thinking is one of the essential concepts emphasized in this unit, and systems and system models is one of the crosscutting concepts of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Concept mapping is an effective tool for introducing and teaching about systems thinking by making sense of relationships among concepts, content, and events using words and hierarchical, spatial relationships. Concept mapping is also an important element of the module, contributing from planning for to explanation of the module and the relationship of concept, content, and the grand challenge/system relationship each student addresses in his or her Kit. Here is an excellent introduction to concept mapping from the Human's Dependence on Mineral Resources module.

As a part of the Kit, students will make explicit interdisciplinary (biology, geology, policy, economics, etc.) connections for their soil issues that incorporate multiple systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, etc). If your students have not yet been introduced to systems thinking, briefly discuss its definition with them.

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• Cmap is a free software program for making concept maps developed by the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition.
• Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) is a free, open source program housed at Tufts University that can also be used for creating digital concept maps.
• Inspiration is a commercial software program with different packages for desktops, iPads, etc. There is a range of purchase prices and free trials are available.

Homework or in-class activity, depending on the length of the class session (40 min)

1. Remind the students that a concept map is a required part of the Kit and point out that concept maps have great utility for elementary teachers in and beyond science, and provide a visual, spatial, and linguistic representation of systems thinking (see also Howard Gardener's Theory of Multiple Intelligences).
    
2. Ask the students to review the brief description of concept mapping; then have the students develop their own concept map of something they know well that is a "fun" topic of their choice. Good examples are their favorite childhood story (e.g., Little Red Riding Hood), their favorite movie (e.g., Shrek), or their life and interactions with their favorite pet (e.g., their cat, dog, or horse).
    
3. They will be required to bring their concept map to class and share it with two peers, telling their "story" in 2 minutes or less, using their map as a reference.

In-class work (50 min)

10 min: Break students into cooperative groups of 3. Direct them using the personal concept map homework [in-class] assignment to tell their stories, as illustrated by their concept maps, to their peers. Give them no more than two minutes each. That is, it should be a "short story!" Plan to keep time to help the students remain on task.

25 min: Have them remain in their cooperative groups and direct them to map the following elements. Encourage them to add to the map beyond just the items on the list provided below. Here is one possible arrangement: Earth systems concept map (Acrobat (PDF) 137kB Oct20 15).

• Central topic : Earth system
  • Concepts
    • Air (Atmosphere)
    • Ecosystems (Biosphere)
    • Earth materials (Geosphere)
    • Water cycle (Hydrosphere)
    • Subordinate concepts/topics
      • Weather
      • Wind
      • Precipitation
      • Weathering
      • Climate
      • Temperature
      • Erosion

Hints for success with concept mapping:

• Give students Post-it notes to write the topic, concepts, and subordinate concepts. The Post-its allow for negotiation of best fit, that is, they can move the Post-its around until they are satisfied with the visual/spatial relationships and hierarchy.
• Once they have their Post-it notes arranged, have them work on the connecting lines paying attention to:
  • Direction of arrows
  • The words (propositions) included on the lines
  • Overall sensible/logical organization

Concluding Activity (15 min): Referencing their work from the above collaborative activity, discuss how one or more of the grand challenges would map onto their basic Earth systems map. Save these draft maps for further use and reference.

The instructor may choose to provide web-based resources or books for the students to reference when completing the Soils and Society Issues Homework. The National Resource Conservation Service for Soils for Soils and the Soil Science Society of America websites are both good resources to provide to students.

Science Relevance - Making science relevant to your students' personal lives is an important part of helping them develop intrinsic motivation for learning a topic. Motivation is one component of the affective domain of student learning that ties learning to emotion. It would be useful to precede this unit with a lesson on the affective domain and motivating students if your students have never before been exposed to these ideas.

• Read more about the affective domain in the classroom
• Find more strategies for motivating students
• Read more about teaching metacognition

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – The Kit requires students to use science standards (we use NGSS) to develop their lessons. It is thus important to introduce students to the NGSS or other standards before assigning the Kit. Briefly, the NGSS outline the core science and engineering content that all students should know by the time they graduate high school. All performance expectations include both instruction and assessment and are taught within the context of three dimensions: Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts. See the NGSS website for details.

The Soil and Society Issues Homework assignment (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 21kB Jan6 16) will be discussed at the beginning of Unit 2 and should be completed prior to that time. We use the homework as a formative assessment. Feedback can be provided as comments on the homework or as a class discussion as time allows. Students receive credit if they have answered all of the questions.

One way to ensure that students complete the assignment on time but allow them to use it in discussion is to stamp the top of complete papers at the start of discussion and then ask them to staple the assignment into their science journals. The assignment can be formally assessed in the science journal if desired. See more information about science journals under "Show Pedagogic choices" under the "making the module work" section on the overview of the module.

USDA Cooperative Extension System: You can use this site to find a extension agent near you who can help you find local soils and may even be willing to visit your classroom.

National Resource Conservation Service for Soils: This site contains extensive information about soils throughout the United States and excellent background information and resources for K-12 educators that you can share with your students.

The Web Soil Survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an interactive site that allows you to view soil survey maps and download soils data for your area.

The Dig In! books from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) are an excellent resource for soil investigations.

The Soil Science Society of America has a number of lessons and activities (sorted by grade level) for pre-service teachers to use in the development of their kit.