Hi, Kid! I hope you feel fine today.

Here is a Science Module

for you. Before you work on different activities, read the

reminders carefully.

Read carefully exercises.

Do not write on the module

Get a piece of paper for your answer sheet.

Be honest

Follow the instructions properly.

This module aims to provide you with a clear understanding ON THE

IMPORTANCE OF SOIL.

The different learning activities focus on what are the important resource

of soil.
Soil is the upper layer of the Earth in which plants grow. It is

an important resource provided by the Earth. It is made up of

minerals and humus. Minerals come from rocks and humus is

a mixture of minerals coming from the decays of animals and

plants.

Okay children. Look at the picture.

What do you see. Can you describe
them.
 Do you want to know what you will learn
in this module?

After completing this module, you are expected to:

-Identify the soil and its important resource

I hope you can finish this in 40 minutes.

 Are you how ready to take up
the learning activities in this module?
Before you do this, try to test your
knowledge.

Begin.
 Direction: Match the Column A to Column B

1. clay a. it is an earthy material that is plastic when

moist.

2. Loam b. loose soil if mixed clay sand and silt

3. Sand c. loose particles of hard broken rock.

4. Poor soil d. means soil that has become poorer and poorer

5. fertile soil e. contains the substance that plants used to grow

Check your answers with the answer

key at the end of this module. Once you
have checked your answers, you may turn
the page and begin with learning activities.

Did you get a perfect score? Very good! You can

now proceed to Learning Activity 1?
 Lesson
Kinds of Soil

There are three kinds of soil sand, clay, and loam.

Sand is loose particles of hard broken rock.

Clay is finely divided soil. It is an earthly material that is plastic when moist, but

hard when set in fire. It is used in making pottery.

Loam is loose soil of mixed clay sand, and silt. Silt is fine earth or particles of soil

floating in rivers, ponds, or lakes.

Uses of Soil

Soil has many uses.

Farmers plants crops in soil.

Miners extract minerals from the soil.

Sand and cement are used in building houses and buildings.

Clay is used in making cooking pots, flower pots, and, jars.

Fertile Soil and Poor Soil

Fertile soil is rich soil, since it contains the substances that plants use to grow

healthy and bear fruits. It is productive since its harvests are bountiful.

Pour soil means soil that has become poorer and poorer, or less fertile. This

happens when a farmer plants the same crop on his land every season of planting. The

same crop will absorb the same set of substances from the soil.

Fertilizers

Farmers put fertilizer on soil to replace the substances lost every time farmers

harvest crops.
 There are two kinds of fertilizers organic and inorganic.

Organic fertilizers come from the decomposition of plant and animal materials.

Inorganic fertilizers come from minerals. If a person uses too much inorganic

fertilizers, the soil becomes sour or acidic.

The use of sour or acidic soil is dangerous. Crops do not grow well in acidic soil.

The water in the soil becomes acidic when it rains. Minerals from the soil are dissolved

and washed away. So, people should use the right amount of inorganic fertilizers. Consult

the government agency about the proper way of applying fertilizers.

Practices that Cause Soil Pollution

When harmful substances are added to the soil, soil pollution occurs. This soil is

no longer useful to people. Poisonous chemicals must not be used in planting crops.

These crops can poison people.

The rainwater that runs through soil that is polluted may reach the water supply of

a community and cause diseases and illnesses to the people in that area.

Pollutants are the materials that can cause soil pollution. Poisonous chemicals and

microorganisms that cause diseases are pollutants.

If the wastes in hospitals are not property disposed of, rainwater might carry the

microorganisms that cause disease in the water supply of communities. Improper disposal

of wastes pollutes the soil and is harmful to people.

Ways to Protect the Soil

There are three common ways to protect the soil.

1. Fallowing. This practices gives the soil a chance to rest. Farmers do not plant crops

continuously. A planting season is skipped by farmers before they plant the next crop.
2. Crop Rotation. This practices is the alternate planting of two different crops year after

year.

3. Planting. Grass or any other plant cover is another way of protecting the soil. In

practicing this, soil is not easily carried away by rainwater and wind. Farmers protect the

land from soil erosion by planting crops.

Soil is the upper layer of the Earth in which plants grow. It is made up minerals
and humus. Minerals come from rocks. Humus is a mixture of minerals coming
from the decays of animals and plants.
There are three are three kinds of soil sand, clay, and loam.
Sand is loose particles of hard broken rock.
Clay is finely divided soil.
Loam is loose soil of mixed clay, sand, and silt. Silt is fine earth of particles of
soil floating in rivers, ponds, or lakes.
Fertile soil is rich soil since it contains substance that plants use to grow healthy
and bear fruits.
Poor Soil is soil that has became poor and poor, or less and less fertile.
Farmers put fertilizers on soil to replace the substance lost every time they harvest
crops.
Organic fertilizers come from the decomposition of plant and animal materials.
Inorganic fertilizers comes from minerals.
The use of too much inorganic fertilizers makes the soil sour or acidic.
People should use the right amount of fertilizers.
Soil pollution occurs when harmful substances are added to the soil.
Pollutants are the materials that cause soil pollution. Poisonous chemicals and
microorganisms that cause diseases are pollutants.
Improper disposal of wastes pollutes the soil and is harmful to people.
Fallowing is one of he ways to protect the soil wherein farmers do not plant crops
continuously.
Crop rotation is the alternate planting of two different crops year after year.
Planting grasses or any other plant cover is another way to protect the soil
wherein the soil is not easily carried is another way to protect the soil wherein the
oil is not easily carried away by rainwater and wind.
ACTIVITY

Check your answer. Refer to the answer key at the

end of this module.

Did you get all?

Excellent!
Do you want to perform another activity?
Okay, you may now proceed to the
Learning Activity 2.
 ACTIVITY 2

Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.

1. __________________ is the upper layer of the Earth in which plants grow.

2. _______________ is loose particles of hard broken rocks.

3. _______________is finely divided soil.

4. _______________is soil that has become poorer and poorer

5. _______________ come from the decomposition of plant and animals.

Check your answer. Look for the

answer key at the last page. Did you
get all? Fabulous! You can now go to
the next activity.
 Direction. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. The practice which gives the soil a chance to rest.

a. Fallowing
b. Crop Rotation
c. Planting

2. This practice is the alternate planting of two different crops year after year.
a. Fallowing
b. Crop Rotation
c. Planting

3. Grass or any other plant cover is another way of protecting the soil.
a. Fallowing
b. Crop Rotation
c. Planting

4. The upper layer of the Earth in which plant grow.

a. Soil
b. Crops
c. Humus

5. It contains substances that plant use to grow healthy and bear fruits
a. Fertile soil
b. Poor soil
c. Loam

Check your answer Did you get all? Superb!

properly. Look for the This is the end of the module.
answer key at the last page Congratulations for the new
of this module. skills learned.
Coronel, Carmelita C. and Abracia, Norma M. (2000)
Science and Health 3. SD Publications Inc.

Dela Cruz, Estrellita S. and Diaz, Estelita S. (2000)

Science and Health for a Changing Environment 2
Vibal Publishing House, Inc.

Fallaria, Rebecca R., Apolinario, Nenita A and

Ronquillo, Jesse D. (2004) Science Spectrum
Worktext in Science and Health for Elementary
Rex Book Store.

Garcia, Ligaya B. and Andal, Carmelita C. (1997)

Science Around Us 3 EMCEE Enterprises