Lesson Plan

George Washington Carver - An Original Conservationist: Sharing the Soil

small fenced garden with prairie and woodlands in background
Grade Level:
High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
Subject:
Science
Lesson Duration:
90 Minutes
Additional Standards:
NGSS (MO CLEs)  HS-LS2-3 the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions; HS-LS2-7 reducing the impacts of human activities; HS-LS4-6 test a solution to mitigate adverse impact of human activity on biodiversity
Thinking Skills:
Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations.

Essential Question

What is the impact of repeated cultivation of the same crop on soil? What are alternatives that can increase the health of the soil?

Objective

Students will be able to assess the health of soil and the impact of crop rotation on soil health.

Background

This is lesson two of five lessons in the George Washington Carver - An Original Conservationist unit. 

Sharing the Soil worksheet and Know Your Nitrogen lab

 

Preparation

Paper or posterboard
Stapler
Access to the Internet to research questions and photographs 
Colored pencils (optional)

Download selected materials, below. 

Materials

Download Sharing the Soil Instructions (Teacher)

Download Sharing the Soil Worksheet (Student)

Download Lab Instructions - Know Your Nitrogen (Teacher)

Download Lab Instructions - Know Your Nitrogen (Student)

Download Nitrate Test Strip Color Chart

Download Lettuce Trials Summary

Download Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Lesson Hook/Preview

What happens if you do not fuel your body with nutrient-dense food? 
How does that relate to soil conservation and what nutrients are found in healthy soil?

Procedure

See Sharing the Soil Instructions (Teacher)

Vocabulary

Sharecroppers
Cash crops
Conservation
Crop rotation
Fertilizer analysis
Leaching
Water holding capacity

Supports for Struggling Learners

Reduced questions. The most important questions are bolded so you can reduce focus for students at a lower level (middle school) or for shorter class periods. Adaptations are noted in the teacher instructions.

Contact Information

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Tags: soil conservation ecology african american deplete nitrogen enrich share croppers cash crop conservation crop rotation fertilizer analysis leaching phosphorus water holding capacity george washington carver national monument george washington carver african americans. early 20th century minorities in science ngss pbl agriculture find your park midwest nps

Last updated: January 28, 2021