Virginia SOL 3.6.b

Science3rd GradeEarth and Space Systems

The Standard

soil provides support and nutrients necessary for plant growth.

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how soil holds roots in place and supplies nutrients that plants use to grow. They use plant observations to connect soil conditions with growth and stability.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can point to roots and explain how soil keeps a plant upright. The student can also explain that nutrients in soil help leaves, stems, and roots grow.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think plants eat soil or that soil supplies sunlight and water. They may also think roots only take in water and do not anchor the plant.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Draw a plant with roots in soil. Label one way the soil supports the plant and one thing the soil provides for growth.

Lesson moves

Plant equal bean seedlings in potting soil and washed gravel, then track height, leaf color, and stability for two weeks.
Ask students to write: What might happen if a plant's roots had nothing firm to grow into?
Play a card sort using plant needs, placing each card under soil provides or soil does not provide.
Inspect a garden bed and identify how soil and compost help the plants stay upright and grow.

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