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NSTA Recommends Is All Soil the Same?

Cover: Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil

Part of the series Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil, this book focuses the reader on the differences in soils. When young scientists think about soil, they may have a single image of the dark, black soil that they planted a seed in. Examples are used to explore several different soil types, including clay, volcanic, and peat, as well as the make up of the soil type and how it makes the soil look.

There is a discussion about the impact of how the soil is formed and how the properties of the different soils are important. For example, the book explains that the “super tiny” size of the rock bits in clay make it feel smooth and allow it to soak up a lot of water. This allows clay to become a material that can be molded and shaped. When it is heated, the clay can then be used as a building material.

In the classroom the book creates high interest with clear pictures that illustrate the content. Beginning with a Table of Contents to guide the reader to the information they may be looking for, each section uses text and clearly labeled illustrations to develop key science concepts. Important words are bolded and then defined in the Science Words section using both pictures and text. There is a Science Lab section that suggests investigations that students can complete that focus on the content of the book. An index at the end of the book allows the reader to find specific places in the book where key ideas are presented.

As a part of your library, this book can be used as a tool for primary age students to begin doing research for reports or projects. In addition the Science Labs section contains some great ideas for both individual and class investigations. The investigations not only focus on doing, but also on the importance in science of recording and analyzing data.

Products Reviewed

Title   ATOS Format Qty
Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil (5 titles)
Cover: Is All Soil the Same? Is All Soil the Same? 4.1

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