Task 1b

Materials and tools for a working group:

soil sample, 2dcl sand, magnifiers, small plastic spoons, white paper (as background), flashlight.

When pupils sort out larger parts of the soil (e.g. roots, stones, animals, branches, leaves, etc.) they focus on what is left. In addition to such a clay sample, the teacher will give them about 2dcl of sand. The task of the pupils will be to compare both samples.

They record the characteristics of both samples (appearance, touch, smell, sound). Appearance – what is the composition of clay/sand? What particles does it consist of? What are the colors? Touch – what is the touch of clay/sand? Are they soft/hard/smooth/rough/wet/ dry/cold/warm? Smell – smells clay/sand? Does the smell remind you of something? Or are they odorless? Sound – is it possible to „hear“ the clay/sand? Do they make a sound when we put them on paper?

Subsequently, the two samples are compared – in which they differ and vice versa, what they have in common. What do you think is the difference between them? Do they have the same/similar composition? Can be found on the same place in the nature? Can plants grow in both of them? The predictions are discussed together, and the teacher asks for their justification.

When examining the soil, pupils should have magnifying glasses, small plastic spoons, white paper (as background), flashlight. In doing so, the teacher draws attention to the details: are the two samples the same when touched and handled in palm? Are they rough or soft? Wet or dry? What about their composition? Are both of the same or different parts? What colors are they? Are they shiny or matt? Is there a difference in their smell? Do you feel anything? Does the smell remind you of something? Or are they odorless? In this way, the teacher encourages pupils to develop their ability to observe. Subsequently, pupils identify the same and different properties of clay and sand. In further exploration, they can use several types of soil and other material (eg gravel).