Water Absorption Lesson Plan

Water Absorption

Grade: 4th

Subject: Science

Objective/TEKS:

  1. Objective: The students will understand the ability of soil to hold water.
  1. TEKS:  Examine properties of soils, including color and texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of plants.

Rationale: Knowing if different types of soil can absorb water can help students identify the type of soil they have and some of its properties. Also, knowing how much water the soil absorbs, the student can determine how much water runs off during storms and if the soil has the ability to store water during dry seasons.

Materials:

Teacher Materials

  • Science textbook (teacher’s edition)

Student Materials

  • Science textbook
  • Science workbook
  • 3 plastic cups
  • Metric ruler
  • Coffee filters
  • Potting soil
  • Measuring cup
  • ¼ cup sand
  • Stir sick/spoon
  • Water
  • stopwatch

Anticipatory Set:

  1. Hook:
  • When we looked at the different soils under the microscope, who can tell me the different things we saw? Who can tell me some of the different soil properties they saw?
  1. Background Knowledge:
  • Ask students to recall what they read in the previous class about soil properties and the importance of water absorption.
  1. Purpose:
  • Tell students that they will be testing different soils to see how much water each soil sample absorbs.
  1. Rationale:
  • Remind students that different types of soil can absorb different amounts of water and knowing how much water the soil absorbs, the student can determine if water runs off/soaks into the soil during storms and if the soil has the ability to store water during dry seasons.

Input and Modeling/Guided Practice:

  • Together, as a class, complete Unit 2 – lesson 2 investigation (attached).
  • Have students fill out data table in workbook as we go along.
  • During investigation, reinforce rational (Knowing if different types of soil can absorb water can help students identify the type of soil they have and some of its properties. Also, knowing how much water the soil absorbs, the student can determine how much water runs off during storms and if the soil has the ability to store water during dry seasons.)

Checking for Understanding:

  • Ask students what soil sample absorbed the most water and why.
  • Ask the students what they think would happen if one of the soil samples was clay.
  • Discuss with students what types of soil they would use in their gardens at home and why.

Independent Practice:

  • Students should complete workbook pages 80-81.

Closure:

  • Reinforce rational (Knowing if different types of soil can absorb water can help students identify the type of soil they have and some of its properties. Also, knowing how much water the soil absorbs, the student can determine how much water runs off during storms and if the soil has the ability to store water during dry seasons.)

Assessment:

  • Assessment Tools: Student’s workbook pages will be graded.