Uses, Colour and Texture of Clay, Loam and Sandy Soil for Pre-School Level 2

Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: Third Term
Week: 7
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Pre-Science
Curriculum Theme: Pre-Science
Previous Lesson: Identifying common objects in the environment.
Topic: Uses, Colour and Texture of Clay, Loam and Sandy Soil
Subject Matter: Soil. Meaning of Soil. Types of Soil: Clay, Loam and Sandy Soil. Uses of Soil. Weekly focus: Uses, Colour and Texture of Clay, Loam and Sandy Soil.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify clay, loamy, and sandy soil when shown samples.
• Name the colours of clay, loamy, and sandy soil.
• State at least one use for soil.

Affective Domain

• Show curiosity when exploring different soil types.
• Participate actively in touching and describing soil textures.

Psychomotor Domain

• Touch and describe the texture of clay, loamy, and sandy soil.
• Use clay soil to make simple items like balls or snakes.

Social Domain

• Share observations about soil with peers.
• Follow instructions during group activities.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
• Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

• Samples of clay soil
• Samples of loamy soil
• Samples of sandy soil
• Small trays or containers for soil samples
• Charts showing different soil types and their uses
• Posters depicting items made from clay
• Water for wetting clay and handwashing
• Hand towels or wipes

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps 3-year-olds understand an important part of their natural environment: soil. By engaging their senses to explore the colour and texture of different soil types, they develop observation skills and learn about the diverse uses of soil in daily life, such as farming and making useful objects, connecting science to their world.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify and name some common objects in their environment and have experienced touching different textures.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Uses, Colour and Texture of Clay, Loam and Sandy Soil

What is Soil?

Soil is the loose brown or dark material on the ground where plants grow. We walk on it, and it helps us build things.

Types of Soil:

1. Clay Soil:
   • Colour: Often reddish-brown or dark brown.
   • Texture: Sticky and smooth when wet, hard when dry. It can be moulded into shapes.
   • Uses: Used to make pots, bricks, and sculptures.
2. Loamy Soil:
   • Colour: Dark brown.
   • Texture: Soft, crumbly, and feels smooth. It is good for growing plants.
   • Uses: Best for farming and growing food.
3. Sandy Soil:
   • Colour: Light brown or grey.
   • Texture: Rough and gritty, like tiny stones. Water passes through it quickly.
   • Uses: Used in building houses and for making concrete.

General Uses of Soil:

• Growing plants and food (farming).
• Building houses and roads.
• Making pots, bricks, and other items.

Key Words

• Soil – The ground we walk on, where plants grow.
• Clay – Sticky, smooth soil that can be shaped.
• Loam – Soft, crumbly soil, good for plants.
• Sandy – Rough, gritty soil, like tiny stones.
• Colour – What something looks like (e.g., brown, red).
• Texture – How something feels when you touch it (e.g., sticky, smooth, rough).

Soil Exploration Rhyme

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:

Soil, soil, on the ground,
Different types can be found.
Clay is sticky, red or brown,
Mould it up and mould it down.
Loam is soft, for plants to grow,
Sandy’s rough, watch water flow.
Soil, soil, on the ground,
Different types can be found.

Actions:

• “Soil, soil, on the ground” – Point to the ground.
• “Different types can be found” – Look around.
• “Clay is sticky, red or brown” – Rub fingers together, show red/brown colour with hands.
• “Mould it up and mould it down” – Make moulding actions with hands.
• “Loam is soft, for plants to grow” – Gently pat hands, then make a growing motion.
• “Sandy’s rough, watch water flow” – Rub hands together roughly, then make a pouring motion.

Watch and Learn About Soil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_fP9aJ7iXQ

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

• Play-based Learning
• Demonstration
• Guided Practice
• Songs and Rhymes
• Picture Talk
• Question and Answer
• Manipulation of Objects
• Repetition
• Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Greeting

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, sings a short ‘Good Morning’ song, and asks them what they see on the ground outside the classroom. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn about soil! The ground we walk on.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and share what they see on the ground (e.g., sand, dirt, grass).

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the lesson’s theme.

Step 2: Presentation of Soil Types

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Naming/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows the pupils the three different soil samples (clay, loam, sandy soil) in separate trays. The teacher names each type of soil clearly: “This is clay soil,” “This is loamy soil,” “This is sandy soil.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the soil samples and listen to the teacher naming each type.

Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the different types of soil.

Step 3: Exploring Clay Soil (Colour and Texture)

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Observation/Description

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes out the clay soil. “Look at this clay soil. What colour is it?” (e.g., reddish-brown). “Now, gently touch it. How does it feel?” (e.g., sticky, smooth when wet). The teacher demonstrates moulding a small shape with wet clay.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the colour of clay soil and gently touch it, describing how it feels. They watch the teacher mould the clay.

Learning Point: Pupils identify the colour and texture of clay soil.

Step 4: Exploring Loamy and Sandy Soil (Colour and Texture)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Comparison/Description

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher repeats the process for loamy soil (“dark brown, soft, crumbly”) and sandy soil (“light brown/grey, rough, gritty”). For each, the teacher asks about its colour and texture and encourages pupils to touch it. The teacher reminds pupils to keep the soil separate.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and touch loamy and sandy soil, describing their colours and textures. They compare how each soil feels.

Learning Point: Pupils identify the colours and textures of loamy and sandy soil and notice differences.

Step 5: Uses of Soil and Rhyme/Video Reinforcement

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows charts/posters of soil uses (farming, building, making pots). “What do we use soil for?” The teacher then leads the class in singing the “Soil Exploration Rhyme” with actions and plays the short video about soil types. The teacher asks simple questions after the video.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify uses of soil from pictures, sing the rhyme with actions, watch the video, and respond to questions.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the uses of soil and reinforce knowledge of soil types, colours, and textures.

Step 6: Practical Activity: Making Items with Clay Soil

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Creativity

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes small portions of wet clay soil to each pupil. “Now, let’s use the clay soil to make something! You can make a small ball, a snake, or any simple shape.” The teacher supervises and assists pupils, encouraging creativity.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils use the clay soil to make various simple items, following the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding of clay soil by moulding it into shapes.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4–5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “Point to the sticky soil.” (Teacher points to samples)
2. “What colour is the sandy soil?”
3. “Which soil feels rough?”
4. “What can we use clay soil to make?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate (e.g., pointing to the correct soil sample).

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and good work. “Good job, everyone! We learned about clay, loamy, and sandy soil today, and how useful they are. Remember to always wash your hands after playing with soil.” The teacher guides pupils to clean up and wash their hands.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise, help clean up, and wash their hands.

Learning Point: The lesson is concluded, and pupils are reminded of hygiene.

Lesson Keywords

• Soil – The loose material on the ground.
• Clay – A type of soil that is sticky and can be shaped.
• Loam – A soft, dark soil that is good for plants.
• Sand – A rough, gritty soil.
• Colour – The appearance of something (e.g., brown, red).
• Texture – How something feels to touch (e.g., sticky, soft, rough).

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle to differentiate, provide larger, more distinct samples of soil. Offer hand-over-hand guidance to feel the textures. Use more repetition of the soil names and their key characteristics.
• Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, encourage them to describe the soil textures using more descriptive words (e.g., “very sticky,” “a little rough”). Ask them to identify other items around the classroom that are made from materials found in soil (e.g., a brick wall).