Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Land Use

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is crucial for directing and focusing students' learning. By clearly establishing objectives, students can understand what is expected of them and why it is relevant. In this case, the focus is on ensuring that students comprehend the vital importance of soil for food production and economic activities, as well as raising their awareness about the need for conservation and sustainable use of this resource.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to recognize the importance of soil for food production and extractive activities.

2. Develop an understanding of the different uses of soil and how these affect the environment and society.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage students to think critically about how their own daily actions can impact soil.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage is designed to engage students and connect prior knowledge with new content that will be explored during the lesson. Problem situations encourage students to think critically and apply what they learned at home, laying the groundwork for practical application in class. The contextualization aims to make the topic relevant and interesting by using practical and real examples to show the importance of soil in their lives and society.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine a farmer with a cornfield that is not growing well. What soil factors could be affecting the plant growth?

2. A community that depends on fishing and collecting natural resources from a nearby lake starts to notice that the fish are disappearing and the trees around are dying. How could improper soil use be related to these issues?

Contextualization

Explain to students that soil is essential for the production of food that arrives at their tables every day. Additionally, show how soil is used in other activities, such as building roads and houses, and how these uses can affect the environment. Use local examples or curiosities, such as the impact of deforestation in nearby areas, to connect the topic with their reality.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed for students to practically and creatively apply the concepts previously studied about soil uses. Through playful and collaborative activities like those described, students can deepen their understanding of the importance of soil and how its different uses affect the environment and society. This approach not only reinforces learning but also develops teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Soil Detectives

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop observation and classification skills of different types of soil, understanding the importance of soil for various uses.

- Description: In this activity, students will become soil detectives, investigating different types of soil and their properties. They will form groups and receive kits with soil samples, magnifying glasses, and observation sheets. Each group must analyze the samples and fill out the sheets describing the color, texture, and possible uses of each type of soil.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute soil sample kits and observation sheets to each group.

• Guide students to observe and compare the soil samples, using the magnifying glass if necessary.

• Ask them to fill out the sheets describing the characteristics of each type of soil and suggesting possible uses.

• Each group will present their findings to the class, discussing the differences and similarities between the soils.

Activity 2 - Sustainable Farm

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote understanding of sustainable agricultural practices and the conscious and productive use of soil.

- Description: Students will plan and build a model of a sustainable farm. They should consider space for planting, preservation areas, use of organic fertilizers, and soil conservation techniques. The activity involves creativity and application of knowledge about soil and its importance for agriculture.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Provide materials such as boxes, paper, glue, and scissors for building the model.

• Instruct students to plan the layout of different crops on the farm, considering each plant's needs in relation to the type of soil.

• Guide on the importance of preservation areas and sustainable techniques.

• Each group will present their model explaining their choices and how they contribute to the sustainability of the farm.

Activity 3 - The Great Soil Debate

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage critical analysis of soil use in different contexts and promote understanding of the various perspectives involved in soil management.

- Description: In this activity, students will participate in a simulated debate on soil use in different contexts, such as agriculture, urbanization, and environmental conservation. Each group will represent a sector (farmers, urban planners, environmentalists) and defend their interests and practices regarding soil.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into three large groups, each representing a sector (farmers, urban planners, environmentalists).

• Give time for each group to prepare their arguments, based on studies done at home and information provided during the lesson.

• Conduct the debate, allowing each group to present their arguments and respond to questions from the other groups.

• At the end, promote a general discussion to reflect on the different viewpoints and the importance of conscious soil use.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to articulate and reflect on the knowledge acquired during the practical activities. The group discussion helps to develop communication and argumentation skills, as well as providing an opportunity for students to explore the practical relevance of studying soil uses in their daily lives and in the broader context of environmental conservation.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher can ask each group to share a strong point from their investigation or discovery. Then, they can explore how the different characteristics of the soils observed influence their possible uses and the importance of conserving these qualities. The teacher should encourage students to relate their discoveries to real situations and think of practical ways to improve soil use in their communities.

Key Questions

1. What are the main characteristics of the different types of soil we observed, and how do they influence the use we can make of them?

2. How can the agricultural techniques we studied help preserve the soil and sustainably increase food production?

3. In what way can the knowledge gained about soil be applied in our community to improve existing practices?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to reinforce and consolidate the knowledge acquired by students during the lesson, ensuring they comprehend the relevance of soil uses in everyday life and in society at large. Moreover, this stage serves to highlight the integration between theory and practice, preparing students to apply what they have learned in real contexts. The conclusion also aims to motivate students to reflect on their individual and collective responsibilities regarding soil conservation and the adoption of sustainable practices.

Summary

In this lesson, students explored the various uses of soil, from food production to extractive and construction activities. They used observation methods to identify soil characteristics and discussed ways to use soil sustainably, promoting conservation and efficiency in production.

Theory Connection

The lesson connected theory to practice by allowing students to apply prior knowledge in hands-on activities like soil investigation and building a model of a sustainable farm. These activities helped solidify the theoretical understanding of different types of soil and their properties.

Closing

Finally, the importance of studying soil uses was highlighted, showing how soil is an essential resource for human life and how its conscious use can contribute to environmental and economic sustainability. Students were encouraged to think about how they can apply these concepts in their daily lives, promoting environmental awareness and practicing sustainable actions.