TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS

OF SOIL
For Science Grade 4
Quarter 4 / Week 1

1
 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit is written for you, young learners in this

generation. It aims to guide and help you in improving your
knowledge and skills toward identifying the different types of soil
and its corresponding physical characteristics.

In this module, varied activities are provided for you to work

on which it enables you to develop and widen your knowledge
about the said competency and this may help you in performing
your day to day living activities.

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 OBJECTIVES:
K – Identify the different types of soil based on their physical
characteristics
S - Describe the different types of soil and their characteristics
A - Value the importance of soil by composting food waste

LEARNING COMPETENCY:

Compare and contrast the characteristics of the different types

of soil (S4ES-IVa-1)

I. WHAT HAPPENED

I am wondering on
Brent! I am that too, Sophia. Come
wondering what will with me and let us all
the earth be without What explore and learn more
soil? could be the about the soil!
importance of
soil?

Do the
different types
of soil differ
from each
other?

“Kid Girl Thinking Face.” Freepik, 30 July 2019, “Kid Boy Thinking Face.” Freepik, 30 July 2019,
www.freepik.com/premium-vector/kid-girl- www.freepik.com/premium-vector/kid-boy-
thinking-face_5136152.htm. thinking-face_5136153.htm.

3
 PRE – ACTIVITIES / PRETEST:

Activity 1
Directions: Look at the pictures below. Arrange the jumbled
letters to identify what kind of soil is being shown. Do this in your
notebook.

A. B.

Mehrish, KK, et al. “Clay Soil in 2020.”

Full Home Gardening, 9 July 2020, “Need A Soil Test?” Master Gardeners of
fullhomegardening.com/clay-soil/. Greene County, 6 Oct. 2020,
mggreene.org/2020/08/need-a-soil-test/.

LYAC MAOL

C.

“Agriculture.” RAINCATCHER, raincatcher.fr/en/user-

guide/agriculture.

NASD
Activity 2

Precautions:
1. Do not get the soil with your bare hands. Use gloves or
plastics to protect your hands.
2. Be sure to do the experiment with your parent or adult.
3. Please keep the materials and equipment after use.
4. Wash your hands thoroughtly with soap and water after
the activity.
4
Perform the activity.
1. Prepare the following materials:
- 3 plastic spoons - a pair of gloves
- 3 sheets of bond paper - hand shovel
- permanent marker
- 3 transparent plastic cups of the same size
2. Using the 3 transparent cups, collect three (3) samples of
soil in your area.
3. Label each sample with A, B and C.

A B C
G., Jim, et al. “Choice 12 Oz. Clear PET Plastic Cold Cup - 1000/Case.” WebstaurantStore, 6 Feb. 2018,
www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-12-oz-clear-pet-plastic-cold-cup-case/500CC12.html.

4. Scoop at least two (2) tablespoons of soil from each

sample.
5. Place each sample on a separate bond paper.
6. Using your hands, feel and observe each sample.
7. Write your observations in your Science notebook using the
table below.

Soil Characteristics
Soil Color Texture Odor
A
B
C

Answer these questions in your notebook.

1. What common characteristics did you observe in your
samples?
2. Do the samples have the same color, texture, and odor?
3. What do you think is the type of soil that you observed?
4. Define soil in your own words.

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 II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

“SOIL: ITS TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS”

Soil is the material where plants grow and which provides

them with physical support, water and nutrients. Soil covers most of
the land part of the earth. You find plants, animals, houses and
other organisms on the soil. We live on the soil and it helps us in many
ways.

Different types of soil have different physical characteristics.

Each soil type differs in color, texture, odor, and its ability to hold
water. Some soils are good for planting while others are not. The
presence of the different kinds of vegetative plants in a place is an
evidence of good quality of soil in the area or locality. Sometimes a
combination of soil is observed in some areas of the country.

There are three (3) different types of soil:

Types of Soil Common Characteristics

1. Clay

Particles are tightly packed

together. It can hold much water and
becomes sticky when wet. It is made up
of very fine particles of rocks. This soil can
be used in making pots.
Herman, Freya. “3 Ways to Start Getting the Most from
the Soil on Your Farm.” Futurepump, 14 Feb. 2020,
futurepump.com/get-the-most-from-soil-on-your-farm/.

2. Loam
Herman, Freya. “3 Ways to Start Getting the Most from
the Soil on Your Farm.” Futurepump, 14 Feb. 2020,
futurepump.com/get-the-most-from-soil-on-your-farm/.
It is a mixture of sand and clay. It
contains a large amount of decaying
plants and animals. It has a fine texture.
This soil can hold enough water and
oxygen which are needed for plant
growth.

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 3. Sand

Particles are coarse and loose, and it

is easy to dig. This soil is not good for
growing plants because it cannot hold
water well.
Herman, Freya. “3 Ways to Start Getting the Most from
the Soil on Your Farm.” Futurepump, 14 Feb. 2020,
futurepump.com/get-the-most-from-soil-on-your-farm/.

Soil is a system into which energy and matter from the sun,
atmosphere, and living organisms penetrate and interact. It is a
system because it is composed of many different parts. Each of the
layers has a function to perform.

Topsoil

Subsoil

Parent Rock

Bedrock

“Download Diagram Showing Different Layers Of Soil for Free.” Freepik,

14 Nov. 2019, www.freepik.com/free-vector/diagram-showing-
different-layers-soil_6052454.htm.

Layers of the Soil

The soil is made up of different layers and each layer has its
own characteristics.

The topsoil is the uppermost layer of the soil. This layer is rich
with organic materials called humus and with minerals needed for
plant growth. Humus comes from decaying plants and animals. The

7
soil’s dark color is an indication of the presence of the humus.
Several kinds of plants can be seen growing on this layer.

The subsoil is located just below the topsoil. It is composed of

loosely arranged rocks, sand, and clay. This layer is very rich with
minerals that drain from topsoil. When the topsoil is washed out, the
subsoil alone cannot support plant life.

The parent rock is composed of rocks that are slowly breaking

apart. It is exposed to very little weathering. It does not contain
necessary nutrients and water needed for plant growth.

The bedrock is the lowest of the soil layers. It is made up of

undisturbed large boulders and gravel. This layer contains materials
that are good for constructing buildings and making roads. No
plant life can survive in this layer.

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

EVALUATION/ POST TEST:

DO THIS #1:
Direction: Write your answers in your notebook.

A. Fill in the blanks with the correct word given inside the box.

clay water sticky

loam oxygen sand
plants particles

______(1)_______ is made up of particles that are tightly

packed together. Very fine ______(2)_______ of rocks can hold
much water and become ______(3)______ when wet.

While _______(4)_______ is a mixture of sand and clay, this

contains the right mixture of particles of silt, sand and clay.

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DO THIS #2:

Read each question carefully. Write the letter of the correct

answer in your notebook.
1. Which of this is made up of smallest particles of rocks which
contain decayed matter of plants and animals?

A. Land B. Soil C. Mineral D. Water

2. How many types of soil are there?

A. 2 B. 1 C. 3 D. 4

3. Which soil holds much water?

A. Loam B. Clay C. Sand D. silt

4. Why is soil important to living things? Because it

___________________?
A. forms part of the earth where animals live.
B. provides the necessary nutrients needed by plants.
C. serves as a place where people live.
D. all of the above.

5. Which of the soil type is good for making pots?

A. Clay B. Loam C. Soil D. silt

6. How does decayed organism like plants and animals make

soil fertile?
A. change its color C. makes the texture finer
B. enhances color D. add nutrients to the soil

7. What type of soil do you usually expect in a shoreline?

A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand D. A and C

8. In which layer of the soil do we usually find loam?

A. Topsoil C. Bedrock
B. Parent soil D. Ground soil

9
REFERENCES
Books:

Abutay, Lelani R., et.al (2015) Science – Grade 4 Learners Material, Lexicon
Press, Inc. Pasig City

Abutay, Lelani R., et.al (2015) Science – Grade 4 Teachers Guide, Lexicon
Press, Inc. Pasig City

Works Cited:

“Agriculture.” RAINCATCHER, raincatcher.fr/en/user-guide/agriculture.

“Download Diagram Showing Different Layers Of Soil for Free.” Freepik, 14 Nov.
2019, www.freepik.com/free-vector/diagram-showing-different-layers-
soil_6052454.htm.

G., Jim, et al. “Choice 12 Oz. Clear PET Plastic Cold Cup - 1000/Case.”
WebstaurantStore, 6 Feb. 2018, www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-12-oz-
clear-pet-plastic-cold-cup-case/500CC12.html.

Google Search, Google,

www.google.com/search?q=LOAM%2Bsoil%2Bpicture&sxsrf=ALeKk03zfvETqcU
5I_YVGO6uqLSC4XnCRg%3A1611628932729&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=
RPOJWpKjBAFaCM%252CTniJO9JZSr9epM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-
kTm7FUIEivhkgma8LS_IvkequekmA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwje0a3QybjuAhUTfd4K
Hbd3B5cQ9QF6BAgKEAE&biw=1080&bih=441#imgrc=0u1Ew3d2eiWafM.

Herman, Freya. “3 Ways to Start Getting the Most from the Soil on Your Farm.”
Futurepump, 14 Feb. 2020, futurepump.com/get-the-most-from-soil-on-your-
farm/.

“Kid Boy Thinking Face.” Freepik, 30 July 2019, www.freepik.com/premium-

vector/kid-boy-thinking-face_5136153.htm.

“Kid Girl Thinking Face.” Freepik, 30 July 2019, www.freepik.com/premium-

vector/kid-girl-thinking-face_5136152.htm.

“Maps-Cliparts #3191200 (License: Personal Use).” Map Clipart - Clip Art Library,
clipart-library.com/clipart/maps-cliparts_5.htm.

MehrishKK, et al. “Clay Soil in 2020.” Full Home Gardening, 9 July 2020,
fullhomegardening.com/clay-soil/.

“Need A Soil Test?” Master Gardeners of Greene County, 6 Oct. 2020,

mggreene.org/2020/08/need-a-soil-test/.

10
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMDS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS – Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

JENNY MAE B. TUBIL

Writer/Illustrator

ZENLI ROSE B. MONGCUPA

Lay-out Artist
________________________________
ALPHA QA TEAM
MAXIMA P. BALANSAG
AIME D. FERRER
RANDOLPH V. FUENTES
MA. LOUANIE I. SASTRE

BETA QA TEAM
JIMUEL SUN, EdD
MERCY G. DAGOY
MARY JANE E. ELMA
MARIA ELVIE E. SIENES
CRISTITA R. TINGUBAN
DORIN FAYE D. CADAYDAY

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to
information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright and
may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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 SYNOPSIS ANSWER KEY

This Self Learning Kit 8. A D 4.

gives wider opportunity for 7. C A 3.
6. D C 2.
the pupils to learn towards 5. A B 1.
identifying the different types Do this #2
of soil based on their physical loam 4.
characteristics. sticky 3.
particles 2.

The writers’ intention is

clay 1.
Do this #1
to engage, inculcate and
inspire Grade Four (4) Evaluation:
What I Have Learned
learners to help in always
observing cleanliness and 3. Sand 1. Clay 2. Loam
proper sanitation for us to Activity 1
further use and appreciate PRE-ACTIVITIES/PRETEST
what God has made for us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR

JENNY MAE BANUA TUBIL is a Teacher I assigned at
Kaladias Elementary School of Zamboanguita
District. She is an adviser in Grade IV. She graduated
with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
with Special Education (SPED) as the Area of
Specialization at Negros Oriental State University in
the year 2017. She is currently taking up Master’s
Degree in Arts major in SPED (Mentally Challenged)
with 27 units. She is a school coordinator of both
Science and ICT and also a Science writer in the
Division of Negros Oriental.

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