Exploring the Ground - Fostering Scientific Understanding in Primary Schools
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Teaching methodology
   Objectives T/P (*) Place Phase Social form Teaching material
1. Introduction
1.1. - 1.2. To become acquainted with soil: What is soil Time: 45 minutes
Recognize that there are different types of soil. T + P Class room + Open ground Sensitization phase Whole group 1.1. Hello soil!
1.2. Our soil museum
1.3. - 1.5. What does soil consist of? Time: 90 minutes
Know that soil consists of different components. P Open ground Sensitization phase Small groups b&g (**) 1.3. Finger test
1.4. Sludge experiment
1.5. Painting with soil
1.6. - 1.7. How does soil develop? Time: 45 minutes
Recognize how and from what soil develops. P Open ground Sensitization phase Small groups b&g 1.6. Decomposition
1.7. Exploring the litter stratification
1.8. - 1.9. What lives in and from the soil? Time: 45 minutes
Recognize the functions of the soil as habitat and habitat of plants. P Open ground Sensitization phase Small groups b&g 1.8. Biological soil examination
1.9. Earthworm box
1.10. - 1.11. For what do we need the soil? Time: 30 minutes
Consolidation of the learned and application on the environment of the children. T Class room Sensitization phase Whole group 1.10. The meaning of the soil for humans
1.11. Soil journey
1.12. I become a scientist Time: 90 minutes
The children are to experi-ence, how scientific working runs. T Class room Problem identifying phase Whole group 1.12. Theory of scientific work
1.13. Cooking a soil cake Time: 45 minutes
Children revise the knowledge on soil formation. P Kitchen Comprehension phase Small groups b&g 1.13. Soil cake
2. Soil Sealing
2.1. Introduction into soil sealing Time: 45 minutes
Recognize that the soil is changed by humans (sealing). T Open ground Problem identifying phase Whole group 2.1. The different types of soil
2.2. Soil in our surrounding and its sealed part Time: 90 minutes
Recognize to what extent the soil in the direct environment is sealed. P Open ground Problem identifying phase Small groups b&g 2.2. Where can you see soil? / Evaluate a ground map
2.3. Sealed soil in our surrounding Time: 30 minutes
Recognize that soil is worldwide a limited resource. T Class room Problem identifying phase Whole group 2.3. Apple as symbol for the globe
2.4. What happens to the rain underground? Time: 45 minutes
Simulating infiltration and get to know water storage capability. P Laboratory Examination phase Small groups b&g 2.4. Water seeping experiment
2.5. Scientific work-ing with unsealed soil Time: 90 minutes
Arranging a complex experiment and do exact measurements. P Laboratory Examination phase Small groups b&g 2.5. Water infiltration experiment with unsealed soil
2.6. AnalysisThis is what I found out as a scientist Time: 30 minutes
The children learn how to hold and document their observations and findings. T Classroom Analysis phase Every child b&g 2.6. Reporting results of 2.5 by using the researcher's diary
2.7. Scientific work-ing with sealed soil Time: 90 minutes
The children recognize, how the functions of the soil are endangered by humans. P Laboratory Examination and discovery phase Small groups b&g 2.7. Water infiltration experiment with sealed soil
2.8. Analysis and analogy Time: 30 minutes
Different observations are compared. T Classroom Analysis and evaluation phase Every child b&g
Whole group		 2.8. Reporting results of 2.7 by using the researcher's diary
3. Soil pollution
3.1. - 3.3. Introduction into soil pollution Time: 90 minutes
The goal of this action is to introduce the soil pollution topic and learn how to identify pollution and associate different activities. T + P Class room and open ground Problem identifying phase Whole group
Small groups b&g		 3.1. What is soil pollution?
3.2. Learning more about polluted soils
3.3. Identifying soil in poor conditions
3.4. - 3.5. Is pollution good for plants? Time: 60 minutes
To understand how useful substances (fertilizers and water) and poisoning substances/pollutants could act on plants. T + P Classroom and Laboratory Problem identifying phase and examination phase Whole group
Small groups b&g		 3.4. Influence of pollution on plants and underground water
3.5. Action of pollutants on soil flora
3.6. Is pollution good for animals? Time: 90 minutes
To understand how poisoning substances/pollutants could act on animals. T + P Classroom and open ground Examination phase Small groups b&g 3.6. Action of pollutants on soil fauna
3.7. What happens in soil with the waste? Time: 60 minutes
Analysing and understanding two notions: biodegradation materials and non-degradable waste. T + P Open ground Examination phase Small groups b&g 3.7. What happens in soil with the waste?
3.8. Negative traits of pollutants Time: 30 minutes
Demonstrates that pollutants may be dangerous. P Open ground or classroom Examination phase Whole group 3.8. Why the soil should be clean?
3.9. - 3.10. Infiltration experiment Time: 90 minutes
Outlines the differences in infiltration rates for different types of soils and pollutants and to practise documenting. P Open ground Examination phase and analysis phase Small groups b&g 3.9. Where the pollutant goes?
3.10. Reporting results of 3.9 by using the researcher's diary
4. Soil erosion
4.1. - 4.3. Introduction of wind erosion Time: 45 minutes
The children experience the different speeds of wind. P + T Open ground and classroom Sensitization phase Whole group 4.1. How is wind blowing?
4.2. How soil flies away
4.3. Speed of the wind
4.4. - 4.5. Experiment on wind erosion Time: 60 minutes
The children simulate wind erosion, measure and do evaluations. P Laboratory or classroom Examination and evaluation phase Small groups b&g 4.4. Experiment on wind erosion
4.5. Evaluation of the wind erosion experiment
4.6. - 4.8. Introduction of water erosion Time: 60 minutes
P + T Open ground and classroom Sensitization phase Whole group 4.6. Talk about rain
4.7. The great flood
4.8. Slope and speed
4.9.- 4.10. Experiment on water erosion Time: 90 minutes
Arranging an experiment and do exact measurements. P Open ground Examination and evaluation phase Small groups b&g 4.9. Experiment on water erosion
4.10. Evaluation of the water experiment
5. Conclusion
5.1. - 5.2. Summary in a round table discussion Time: 60 minutes
The children learn to summarize their results T Class room Conclusion phase Small groups b&g 5.1. True or false?
5.2. Summary of the results
5.3. - 5.4. Presentation Time: 90 minutes
The children learn to present their results to others P Class room and open ground Conclusion phase Small groups b&g 5.3. Presentation of the results
5.4. Soil-Rally for parents
5.5. Awards Time: 30 minutes
The children receive an acknowledgment for their work as researchers T Class room Conclusion phase Whole group Certificate for the participation
5.6. - 5.7. Possibilities for the future Time: 45 minutes
The children develop a critical attitude towards the hu-man activities and recognize their own action authority. They acquire a holistic view on the environmental problems, with the emphasis on the soil issue. T with transfer to P Class room Application phase Small groups b&g 5.6. How to ask uncle George?
5.7. What can we do for the soil?
(*) T/P/G = Theory / Practice / Games
(**) b&g = gender specific separated groups (boys and girls)
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