Virtual Field Trips

4/5^th Grade: Soil Chemist

Combining science with art, this lesson teaches basic concepts of soil acidity through exploration of the hydrangea. Students learn to conduct hands-on experiments involving mixtures and solutions.

LINK TO: Teacher Guide, Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards Correlations 

• WATCH: Soil Chemist Video (13 min)
  Supplies needed: Blank paper and colored pencils for art with video.

Soil Chemistry Experiment

Soil Chemistry Experiment Instructions
Supplies needed: white vinegar, baking soda, container and soil.

Cabbage Water Test

Cabbage Water Test Instructions
Supplies needed: red cabbage, distilled water, clear container and soil.

4^th/5th Grade: Soil Sleuths

You might get a bit dirty doing this detective work. Through a hands-on experiment, video, and reflection questions, students learn about the PNW forest floor. The formation of minerals, rocks, and layers of sediment over time are also explored.

Link to Teacher Guide, Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards Correlations

• WATCH: Soil Sleuth Video  (8:16 minutes)

2nd Grade: Rocks and Soils at the Garden

Watch to see how woodpeckers help make healthy soil, how gardeners use rocks, and how gnomes make cement for their homes. Scientific vocabulary is applied during the garden video tour. Viewers are invited to complete an imaginative drawing, and to try a simple, hands-on investigation to observe components of soil.

Glossary:   Download this soil glossary to learn vocabulary

LINK TO: Teacher Guide, Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards Correlations

Download Soils Reading List

Videos (All four videos total approximately 15 minutes):

• WATCH: Intro to Soils Video (7:54 min)
• WATCH: BBG Rocks Video (3:25 min)
• WATCH: Soil Suspension Experiment Video (3:15 min)

K-2: Soil Story

Take a walk through your neighborhood to see all the life soil supports. Grab a handful of soil on your walk, then watch the video to try a hands-on soil experiment. If you want to learn more, check out our list of books to read all about soil!

LINK TO: Teacher Guide, Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards Correlations

Download Soils Reading List

• WATCH: Soil Suspension Experiment Video (3:15 min)

In this extension, the main video introduces students to leaf parts, tree identification, photosynthesis and how the seasons affect trees. Students will use their observation skills.  The video also includes an art project on leaf rubbings. Students will want to have paper and a crayon handy! There are also links to two book readings about why leaves change colors and the artistic use of leaves in Leaf Man to share how leaves move through a landscape. There is also a book list of some of our favorite tree and leaf books.

Download Teacher Guide, Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards Correlations

Download Trees & Leaves Reading List

• WATCH: Broadleaf Trees & Leaves Video (12:11 minutes) 
• WATCH: Why Do Leaves Change Color? Book Reading (7:41 minutes)
• WATCH: Leaf Man Book Reading (6:09 minutes)

In this extension, the main video introduces students to various methods of seed dispersal. Students will use their observation skills.  There are documents with activities for making a paper helicopter and drawing a dandelion! There is a video of a book reading about traveling seeds called “A Seed is Sleepy” and a video showing kids investigating seed dispersal. There is also a book list of some of our favorite books about seeds and a list for teachers to connect to the standards.

Download Teacher Guide, Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards Correlations

• WATCH: Seed Travelers Video (6:22 min)
• WATCH:  Kids Demonstrating Seed Dispersal (2:31)
• WATCH: A Seed is Sleepy Book Reading (7:43 minutes)

Download: Seeds Reading List

Download: Draw a Dandelion!

Download: Make a Paper Helicoptor!