Soil and the Nitrogen Cycle

1. Soil and the Nitrogen Cycle Earth Science Lesson 6 TEKS: 3.11B, 4.11A, 5.6B

2. Recipe for Soil: • Tiny pieces of weathered rock • Decaying plant and animal matter

3. Types of soils • Loam • Clay • Sand

4. Nitrogen Gas • Makes up 70% of our atmosphere • Living things need it, • but cannot use it from the atmosphere.

5. The Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen in the atmosphere Decomposers release the nitrogen back to the atmosphere Animals eat the plants and release waste or die. Bacteria Fix the nitrogen Plants take it in.

6. Decomposers • Bacteria • Earthworms • Mushrooms • Crickets • Cockroaches

7. Out on the Prairie • Plants are Poo Poo Coo Coo! • Song by Lucas Miller

8. Vocabulary • Soil: A material made up of tiny pieces of weathered rock. • Humus: decaying plant and animal material in the soil. • Loam: Soil rich in nutrients that is good for plant growth. • Nitrogen Cycle: The movement of nitrogen between organisms and the environment. • Decomposers:organisms that break down dead materials and wastes.