SHS2 Geography · Semester 1 Week 8: Rocks, Weathering, Soil and Mass Wasting

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 2.1.2.LI.2 - Differentiate between the soil types and discuss the importance of soil

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Identify and describe the three main soil types (sand, clay, and loam) by their physical properties, including texture, drainage, and nutrient content.
Differentiate between sandy, clay, and loamy soils by conducting a hands-on experiment and comparing their water retention, drainage rate, and feel.
Explain the importance of soil to agriculture, construction, water filtration, and ecosystem health, using examples from Ghana.
Apply knowledge of soil types to recommend appropriate soil management practices for different crops grown in Ghana, such as maize, cocoa, and vegetables.
Justify, with evidence from the experiment, why loam is considered the best soil type for most agricultural purposes.

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Curriculum details

Strand: The Earth and Its Neighbourhoods (Strand 1)
Sub-strand: Rocks, Weathering, Soil and Mass Wasting (1.2)
Content standard: 2.1.2.CS.1 - 2.1.2.CS.1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of soils 2.1.2.LO.1 Discuss the factors of soil formation, soil types and importance
Indicator: 2.1.2.LI.2 - Differentiate between the soil types and discuss the importance of soil
Suggested placement: Semester 1, Week 8 (Week 8 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 69

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Experiential learning: In mixed ability groups, perform an experiment using real objects to differentiate between clay, loam and sandy soils. Learners should be conscious of resolving interpersonal conflicts with each other if they arise in group discussions.

Assessment (2.1.2.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 3 Strategic reasoning.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Collect samples of soil types in the environment
- Charts and pictures of soil types, their composition
- Buckets, bottle of water, funnel, and other soil sampling materials
- Google Earth or satellite images of soil degradation
- Videos on soil formational processes, types, soil degradation processes and conservative techniques