ABSTRACT
This unit was taken with a year 5 class of twenty-four children in a government primary school located in a middle class area. Most of the children come from English speaking backgrounds. The school is coeducational with only one, mixed ability, class at most year levels. The school has quite extensive gardens consisting mainly of Australian trees and shrubs. Hence it provides a very good setting for science units such as this one developed around the topic of soil. Soil is an appropriate starting point as it allows a broad range of concepts and content areas to be explored. These include: soil composition, erosion, food chains linked to soil, and plant studies. Most children enjoy playing in dirt whether it is constructing roads for an imaginary city, looking for worms or watching ants carrying small insects to their nest. This unit of work makes use of this interest to extend children's horizons and develop their skills and knowledge.
