Properties of Soil Activities for 4th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Properties of Soil 4th Grade Complete 5E Lesson provides all the materials needed for an engaging, multi-day lesson with minimal prep. Students will explore essential questions about soil properties and plant growth through differentiated, student-led activities in both print and digital formats. 

This complete lesson follows the 5E Model, with resources for Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation. It includes differentiated materials, editable PowerPoints, and Spanish translations, ensuring maximum flexibility and accessibility. Teachers can engage students through hands-on station labs, multimodal learning, and interactive notebook pages. 

Incorporating nine learning stations, from experiments to research, videos, and assessments, this lesson allows students to show their understanding in multiple ways. Bonus challenge activities extend learning for advanced students, while student-choice projects and evaluation tools reinforce their knowledge of soil properties.

The Kesler Science Properties of Soil Station Lab offers 4th grade students an engaging, student-led way to explore soil properties. With eight differentiated activities and a ninth challenge station, students take control of their learning while teachers facilitate. This flexible resource saves prep time while offering diverse, hands-on experiences.

Students will investigate soil properties like color, texture, water retention, and plant growth. The station lab includes input activities such as experiments, readings, research, and videos, while output stations allow students to organize, illustrate, write, and assess their learning. The stations can be completed independently or in small groups, with digital options for remote or in-class learning.

The lab includes all necessary materials like signage, task cards, and resources, and can be adapted for different learning needs. Teachers can also use the bonus Challenge It! station for early finishers, offering additional extension activities to deepen their understanding of soil properties.

The Kesler Science Properties of Soil Student Choice Projects give 4th grade students the opportunity to select a project that aligns with their preferred output style. With six different project options and a “design your own” choice, students can demonstrate their understanding of soil properties in creative ways. A grading rubric offers flexible assessment methods, allowing teachers, peers, or students themselves to evaluate the work.

This resource includes nine project choices and an editable rubric, which teachers can modify based on their grading needs. The projects are designed for multimodal learning, providing personalized opportunities for students to showcase what they know. The choice board also includes two versions of the project page, with differentiated options for students needing extra support or additional challenges.

Using common classroom materials like paper, markers, and scissors, the projects are simple to execute and can often be completed digitally. Some crafting supplies may be needed for model-building projects, making this a flexible, dynamic resource for diverse learning needs.